Will Marcus Bachmann Be a Gift the Keeps on Giving?

While some Democrats have issued statements to the effect that commentators such as me should cease speculation about the possibility that Marcus Bachmann might be a closed gay - never mind that his lisp makes most drag queens sound uber-butch - it increasing looks as if Marcus "Gays are Barbarians" Bachmann may be a source of other ongoing embarrassment to his unhinged wife. You know, little things like running a clinic without a license, receiving lots of Medicaid money and sucking up federal agriculture subsidies like a bloated hog. Things that go a good way towards exposing Michele Bachmann as a hypocrite. Politico and Time magazine both have articles that look at the liability Marcus Bachmann may yet become for his wife a/k/a Crazy Eyes. First these highlights from Politico:
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Now the question is how much influence he will have on her presidential prospects. Already, his clinic has come under fire for taking Medicaid payments, but there are more questions surrounding the Christian-centric therapy. Among them are Marcus Bachmann’s credentials: He is not registered with any of the three boards that certify mental health practitioners and professions in the state. The Minnesota Board of Psychology and the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy confirmed to POLITICO that Bachmann is not licensed with them. And a search of the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy license database returns no result.
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Trisha Stark, of the Minnesota Psychological Association, said that the title “clinical therapist” is not widely used in professional circles and that Bachmann is able to operate his clinic because of state rules regarding mental health practice. “Minnesota is one of the only states in which you can practice mental health without a license,” Stark said. The Bachmann and Associates office declined to comment on his professional credentials, and the campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
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But it gets better as described in the Time article which includes these highlights:
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There’s also been controversy over Bachmann’s use of government subsidies, which cuts against his wife’s Tea Party message. Marcus’ unlicensed clinical practice has received roughly $30,000 in state funds, according to public records, and NBC News reports that it has taken $137,000 in Medicaid payments since 2005. There’s also the issue of Marcus Bachmann’s family’s farm, which has benefited from some $260,000 in agriculture subsidies.
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This kind of baggage might not have meant much in Bachmann’s bids for Minnesota State Senate or the 6th District House seat, but it is getting more attention now that she’s under presidential-level scrutiny. As a rare “First Gentleman” prospect, Marcus Bachmann is liable to be treated with more interest and intensity than many other candidates’ spouses.