People booed when Washington Examiner columnist Byron York asked Republican presidential contender Michele Bachmann if she was submissive to her husband.
And he took some flak from other journalists too. So why did he dare to do it?
It was relevant to her candidacy, he explained, because of a statement she made back in 2006. Here's her full quote:
"My husband said, now you need to go and get a post-doctorate degree in tax law. Tax law? I hate taxes. Why should I go and do something like that?
But the Lord said, 'Be submissive. Wives you are to be submissive to your husband.' And so we moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia, and I went to William and Mary Law School there, for a post-doctorate degree in tax law. And I pursued this course of study.
Never had a tax course in my background, never had a desire for it, but by faith, I was going to be faithful to what I felt God was calling me to do through my husband."
York believes that, with that statement, Bachmann opened the door to inquiries about her relationship.
Bachmann replied to Byron by saying: "What submission means to us, if that's what your question is, it means respect. I respect my husband, he's a wonderful, godly man and a great father. And he respects me as his wife. That's how we operate our marriage. We respect each other, we love each other."
Since then, she has also explained that there is a difference between submission and subservience. Doubtless, she will now be asked to explain that difference...
Sources: Poynter/Washington Examiner/Washington Post/Slate
