Bachmann would kiss Obama too if given the chance

During a St. Cloud debate today, Rep. Michele Bachmann tried to distance herself from President George W. Bush, a terribly unpopular burden on her reelection campaign. And just in case you were wondering, that popular presidential kiss wasn't a show of her undying love for her fellow Republican. She'd even give Sen. Barack Obama a wet one if she had the chance! It's tough to be rejected by such a powerful man, isn't it?

More after the jump.

According to the Associated Press:

Bachmann even tried to link her Democratic challenger, former state transportation chief Elwyn Tinklenberg, to the GOP president.

"He is more in line with President Bush's policies than I am," said Bachmann, ticking off issues where she has disagreed with Bush, including the $700 billion financial services bailout. Bachmann voted against the bill twice. Tinklenberg has said he would have voted for it.

"I've been willing to be a strong reformer in Washington, D.C., and take on my own party, including the bailout," Bachmann said.

Asked about her statements after the forum at the St. Cloud Public Library, Bachmann denied that she was distancing herself from Bush. She said she has "taken on the president" before and since being elected to Congress two years ago.

Bachman became famous in 2007 when she grabbed Bush's should after his State of the Union address and held on tight while she kissed a little to close to the man's chompers:

That moment is now featured in an attack ad.

Bachmann said her positions have been "quite different" from Bush's."

"If the presidency would somehow go to Barack Obama, I would welcome him to the 6th District as well," she said after the debate. "As a matter of fact, I would put my hand on his shoulder and give him a kiss if he wanted to."

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