Politics & Government

Kline Breaks Silence, Defends Bachmann in Dustup Over 'Islamic Infiltration'

Fellow GOP Congressman John Kline said Michele Bachmann may have "stepped a little bit over the line" when she named prominent D.C. politicians and staffers as agents of the Muslim Brotherhood, but that her intentions were good.

Congressman John Kline was midway through a conference call about Obama's economic policies when a reporter popped the question: What did he think about the recent controversy surrounding fellow Republican Michele Bachmann?

In recent weeks, Congresswoman Bachmann sparked a firestorm after accusing specific members of the Democratic Party of being operatives for the Muslim Brotherhood, including Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison. Bachmann's claims have drawn fire from both the right and left, with both Senator John McCain and Kline's opponent DFL Candidate  condemning her allegations. Obermueller went so far as to , an infamous figure in the 1950s best remembered as the architect of the Red Scare.

Find out what's happening in Burnsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kline, however, kept mum on the subject as the row unfolded.

"He doesn't comment on other people's comments," campaign spokesman Troy Young told the Star Tribune.

Find out what's happening in Burnsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

That is, until today. Kline conceded that Bachmann "stepped a little bit over the line" when she named individuals as operatives, but said that her heart was in the right place. 

"I don't think any of us doubt that Mrs. Bachmann is concerned about national security, and she was reaching out to do something about that," Kline said.
Kline answered a reporter's question about Bachmann during a conference call aimed at criticizing the economic policies of the Obama administration.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here