“Michele Bachmann” And “Intelligence” Used In Same Sentence

by Stuart Shapiro

And it isn’t in a children’s book of opposites.  Joking aside, it is the scary news that Rep. Bachmann (R-MN) is being appointed to the House Intelligence Committee.  Steve Benen speculates on the motives of Speaker-Designate Boehner.

Voluntarily assigning her responsibilities related to top secret intelligence and our national security is more than just a mistake — it’s arguably dangerous.

I’ve heard some whispers that have suggest[ed] Boehner is actually thinking strategically on this. Members of the Intelligence Committee are generally encouraged to avoid the media spotlight, and since Boehner very likely finds Bachmann embarrassing, this is his way of forcing her to keep a lower profile.

Perhaps there’s something to this. But the fact remains that trusting Bachmann with our most guarded secrets is an inherently risky move.

I agree.  It is far too easy to foresee an instance a year from now where Bachmann issues statement acknowledging that while she was sworn to secrecy, she feels compelled to speak out about some issue.  This is not an appointment to take casually and a worrisome sign for the next two years.

By: Stuart Shapiro

Stuart is a professor and the Director of the Public Policy
program at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers
University. He teaches economics and cost-benefit analysis and studies
regulation in the United States at both the federal and state levels.
Prior to coming to Rutgers, Stuart worked for five years at the Office
of Management and Budget in Washington under Presidents Clinton and
George W. Bush.