Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Michele Bachmann Isn't Jewish But She Doesn't Mind If Jews Think So


By

Christopher Robbins

Published Aug 31, 2011

Modified Aug 31, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Christopher Robbins

Published Aug 31, 2011

Modified Aug 31, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Possible cyborg and Sarah Palin enemy #1 Michele Bachmann was in New York City yesterday speaking to a small group of Orthodox Jewish leaders. There wasn't a lot of fanfare, because Bachmann "nor her campaign would disclose details about her day in New York." But the bigger story is how Bachmann is milking Mitt "Stormin' Mormon" Romney's campaign donations from Jewish voters, all because some believe Bachmann is "the Jewish candidate." Man, Vern Wuensche must be PISSED right now, and not just because no one knows who Vern Wuensche is!

Jews thinking Bachmann is of their faith "is a real problem," one Romney fundraiser tells the Post, and the notion has gotten traction because of Bachmann's trip to Israel in 1974 when she worked on a kibbutz. She has told AIPAC that, "I am a Christian, but I consider my heritage Jewish, because it is the foundation, the roots of my faith as a Christian." We're wondering if she said the same thing to the American Polytheists Coalition.

A Bachmann campaign flack denies hearing anything about Jewish supporters believing that the evangelical Lutheran candidate is a Jew, but acknowledged "her strong support of the nation of Israel." We imagine he then offered the reporter a latke, as "Hava Nagila" played softly in the background.

Tagged

2012

2012 campaign

gop

israel

jews

michele bachmann

mitt romney

obama

orthodox jews

republicans


Christopher Robbins

Twitter

Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Bronx community hosts vigil for boy killed in e-bike fire

Zion Maine died Wednesday after a lithium-ion battery ignited, killing him and injuring four members of his family.

By

Carol Chen

Published Oct 29, 2026 at 9:22 p.m. ET


8 people charged in $7M SNAP benefit fraud scheme

The scam impacted thousands of people, according to the Manhattan district attorney’s office.

By

Giulia Heyward

News

8 people charged in $7M SNAP benefit fraud scheme

The scam impacted thousands of people, according to the Manhattan district attorney’s office.

By

Giulia Heyward


California man was shot by a NJ detective in Moonachie, officials say

By

Kaya Laterman

The NYPD is confiscating e-bikes along a clogged East Village street

By

Willow Higgins

New Yorkers enrolled in SNAP will get more money for fresh produce next year

By

Giulia Heyward


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .