Bachmann Daily Beat: Family Clinic Under Fire

Sixth District congresswoman and presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann has described herself as having a "titanium spine," but the Miami Herald says police records show a different side of the candidate.

Several of the congresswoman's detractors have apparently wound up targets of police investigations for making critical comments either in person or via email. (In her defense, at least one of the incidents occurred in the aftermath of the Gabrielle Giffords shooting.)

Speaking of investigations, ABC News reports that the Bachmann family clinic, run by Bachmann's husband Marcus, does indeed offer "reparative therapy"—a controversial practice whereby therapists attempt to "pray away" a patient's homosexuality (video). Mr. Bachmann has previously downplayed accusations that his clinic engages in the practice, which psychologists have criticized as "ineffective and potentially harmful." The Los Angeles Times notes that the clinic has already come under fire for receiving $137,000 in federal payments through Medicaid—a program Bachmann herself has criticized.

Days after Bachmann signed an Iowa social conservative group's controversial 14-point "Marriage Vow," the fallout continues to dog her campaign. As mentioned in , much of the concern arises from a statement implying that black families were better off under slavery than they are under President Obama. 

In the ensuing media storm, the group, the Iowa-based Family Leader, removed the reference to slavery from the pledge's preamble, and Bachmann insists she didn't read the entire document before signing it. The U.K.-based International Business Times examines the controversy and concludes:

It does not appear, from the language used, that the Family Leader or Ms. Bachmann intended to give an endorsement to slavery. Nevertheless, such poor use of facts and language mean that any noble motives behind the pledge have been tarnished if not lost in the mini media storm.

Bachmann appeared on the O'Reilly Factor last night, where she defended her stance against raising the debt ceiling. (Video) Meanwhile, The Hill reports that Bachmann is open to raising the debt ceiling if (and only if) it is tied to a full repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (i.e. "Obamacare").

Finally, Salon says Ron Paul supporters are delighted by Bachmann's background as a tax collector for the IRS.