That’s what Sam Stein is hearing.
Five days after Rep. Michele Bachmann went on a McCarthy-esque rant suggesting Barack Obama was unpatriotic and urging the major newspapers of the country to investigate anti-American sentiment in Congress, the national Republican political parties are running for cover.
Two sources aware of ad buys in Minnesota say that the National Republican Congressional Committee is pulling its media purchases from Bachmann’s race. If true, it is a remarkable fall for a congresswoman who, until recently, seemed relatively safe in her predominantly conservative district. The race had become closer in recent days — the NRCC had transferred funds from Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) to Bachmann a little over a week ago.
A few observers are calling it the Macaca Incident of 2008. If Bachmann loses what was previously a safe seat over this, it will be a truly epic meltdown.
Update: TPM Election Central confirms that the NRCC is pulling its funding for Bachmann. She really is that radioactive within the House GOP as a result of this mess.
Update II: The Republican base is not happy with the NRCC’s decision about this.
Icepicks and Nukes 