I responded to Crazy Michele Bachmann's floor speech on my own blog, but here I want to share with you the text of the speech. The concept is nothing new, but I found it especially shrill.

While Republicans bristle at the notion of "artificial deadlines" and "handcuffs on our generals," as if civilian control of American foreign and defense policy isn’t enshrined in the Constitution, the rest of us know we’ve been down this path before.

But before the president wipes the dust off his veto pen he should tell the American people where he believes we’ll be 11 months from now. Democrats have been clear on this: by next spring the bulk of the U.S. fighting force will be redeployed from Iraq. What about the president? Where does he believe we’ll be then?

It isn’t as sexy as the paternity test results in the Anna Nicole Smith baby saga or as scandalous as the debate over whether Don Imus is a bigot or just plain dumb, but the current Newsweek cover story is still something everyone should see.

When America needed a leader, the president was caught up in the "political theater" he claims to abhor. Instead of coming up with a real plan to get U.S. troops out of the middle of a Sunni-Shiite civil war, Bush was pandering to the small minority who still support his handling of foreign and domestic affairs. With nothing but failed policies left in his wake, this president resorted once again to bluster in an effort to intimidate Congress and deceive the American people.

There is an absolute right in this debate, troop funding legislation backed by the House of Representatives that calls for an end to U.S. military involvement by the end of next summer; and an absolute wrong, the "stay the course" policy offered by the president and his allies on Capitol Hill.

Minnesota-centric, I know. But it's certainly something others are dealing with. John Kline is a pro-surge congressman. He hosted a town hall meeting Tuesday night.

Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are 0-for-the-last-six-years on Middle East policy. Even the most obtuse manager would realize it’s time for a pinch hitter. If that means Pelosi carrying on like a de facto prime minister, fine.

Very long. But it's Sunday night!

At this point, only the president is standing in the way of funding for the troops.

Health care is an inescapable question in the great debate this country deserves. We’ve dodged the issue for too long with half-measures, watered-down compromises, state-by-state solutions and timid thinking. It’s time to tackle this problem with the full force and resources of the American government and those who seek to lead it.

U.S. Rep. John Kline, a supporter of the president's reckless escalation policy, will host a town hall meeting with constituents in his Minnesota district next week.

Poor George W. Bush. All alone in the White House since nobody wants to be his friend.

Whether the president actually earned capital is debatable. It’s more like he wrote a check during the 2004 campaign and by early 2005 it had been returned for insufficient funds.

The president's old statements are so telling, aren't they?

I offer this Minnesota-centric story to you because:

A.) It’s Sunday night
B.) Gov. Pawlenty is talked up as VP material since he’s a northern Republican who won re-election despite his party getting routed statewide and nationwide. (He’s McCain’s campaign co-chair.)
C.)     Those of you in Republican Governor Land have probably heard a lot of the same GOP drivel. Maybe some of the counter-arguments here will be useful. Good luck.

Long, I know. I really wish the war would end. What do the deadline opponents want?

After a run of bad luck, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann is trying to change the subject. Many of you might already know a little about Bachmann. If not, check out this picture.