MICHELE UNDER SCRUTINY – AT 8:40 A.M. ET:  We don't do "predictions" here, and you should be skeptical of writers who say things like, "As I predicted six months ago..."  If you read that, go back and look at the totality of the writer's predictions.  I'll bet you'll find he got one out of fifteen right...the one he now brings up. 

And so it wasn't difficult for us to say yesterday that the issue of Michele Bachmann's migraines would resurface.  I can't claim a great prediction.  Anyone who's studied the history of political campaigns knows that health questions about a candidate are brought up again and again, sometimes by opponents, usually by opponents' surrogates.  In 1956, Adlai Stevenson, the Democratic nominee for president, himself brought up the issue of President Eisenhower's recent heart attack, although Eisenhower was clearly functioning in the presidency.  We noted yesterday that in 1972, Senator Tom Eagleton of Missouri had to leave the Democratic ticket led by George McGovern over questions about electro-shock therapy.  And, lowest of the low, rumors were circulated during the 2008 campaign that John McCain might have been psychologically incapable of being president because of the damage done by the torture he endured as a POW in North Vietnam.

Now we have The Politico, in its lead story this morning, piling on about Michele Bachmann's migraines.  While the Politico still does some useful reporting, it is a liberal site, and is drifting further left.  You will probably see it quoted less here in the future.  Today's piece on Bachmann is particularly vile, as it hints that she may be psychiatrically impaired by migraines, and the drugs used to treat them.  While there are some self-serving comments by the writer that attempt to be "fair," the piece is filled with conjecture and will provocative quotes from experts, none of whom have actually examined Ms. Bachmann.

It is clear that Bachmann did have some severe bouts with migraine, the way the rest of us may have had other illnesses.  She must deal with the issue directly, and discuss legitimate medical questions put to her.  The issue will not go away.  But I hope we may be spared the amateur reporting present at The Politico this morning.  Other news organizations, to their credit, have had certified physicians doing medical stories.  Physicians have told me, and many laymen know intuitively, that any true examination of a person's medical condition starts with a good history.  We do not have that good history on Bachmann, and I would want it studied by qualified physicians, not political reporters.  It is not enough to "report" on medical episodes that may well have occurred before the individual received proper treatment.

Bachmann is in the crosshairs.  Only she can defend herself.  She does it brilliantly, yesterday pointing out that she's maintained a grueling campaign schedule without missing a minute.  Her detractors will try to bring her down on this issue.  I hope, assuming her report on her medical condition is honest, that they flop, and that there's a backlash.

July 20, 2011