Michele Bachmann's retirement: A welcome change of the GOP guard
Finally, conservatives seem ready to replace angry political clowns with bold and serious thinkers

"On so many issues, we're clearly on the wrong track."
For Michele Bachmann, those words were an unintentionally fitting way to call it quits.
Of course, this was essentially the anti-Obama mantra that once facilitated the congresswoman's rise as a populist conservative hero. For years, her bold and vigorous style gave voice and comfort to a deep conservative anger across the country.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Then something changed. Slowly, many conservatives realized that unmitigated anger is destructive, and alienates the many for the satisfaction of the few. Michele Bachmann didn't get that. She remained on the wrong track.
Most commentators see Bachmann's retirement as an acknowledgment of basic political reality. Facing federal investigations and a well-financed Democratic opponent, they argue, Bachmann's 2014 re-election was very much in doubt.
I'd also wager that being a member of Congress wasn't enough for Bachmann — she wanted major power. When she realized that wouldn't happen in Congress, she decided to depart.
But regardless of her rationale, count this conservative glad that Michele Bachmann will soon be gone.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Bachmann's unyielding aggression was profoundly damaging to the conservative cause. Whether in waging anti-Muslim witch hunts, or couching her opposition to homosexuality as "spiritual warfare," Bachmann has reveled in her absolutism. As a nationally known Republican, her aggression has had consequences. For one thing, it helped situate the GOP in a toxic political frame — untrusted and disliked by many Americans. The politics of division are undeserving of celebration.
Bachmann's anti-Obama rhetoric was particularly problematic. Sure, we conservatives strongly disagree with a lot of the president's policies. And yes, many Democrats were far from civil to George W Bush. But when a conservative congresswoman insinuates that the president might be a Manchurian candidate, or questions the expense of his necessary security, she dishonors herself, her party, and her country. Fortunately (and perhaps signifying her political decline), last summer other conservatives began condemning Bachmann's conspiracy theories, too.
Ultimately, Bachmann's retirement is the signifier of a Republican political evolution.
Bachmann is the proud purveyor of angry conservatism. In her wake, we're now witnessing the transition to idea-centric conservatism, illustrated by bold thinkers like Bobby Jindal, Marco Rubio, and Chris Christie.
Of course, Bachmann still doesn't get it. At one point during her retirement video, the congresswoman declared that the Middle East is a "devastating, evil jihadist earthquake." That isn't the language of a conservative. It's the rash statement of a political clown.
I won't be sorry to see her go.
Tom Rogan is a conservative writer who blogs at TomRoganThinks.com.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 30, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - strawberry fields forever, secret files, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 hilariously sparse cartoons about further DOGE cuts
Cartoons Artists take on free audits, report cards, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Following the Tea Horse Road in China
The Week Recommends This network of roads and trails served as vital trading routes
By The Week UK Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published