Failed Bachmann rival seeks money for Clark

Elwin Tinklenberg couldn't beat U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann. Now he's hoping Tarryl Clark can.

Tinklenberg sent a letter to Clark supporters Thursday asking them to give to her campaign. He accused Bachmann of spewing "divisive rhetoric."

Tinklenberg writes: "It's time we take Congresswoman Bachmann out of that national spotlight and bring an end to her do-nothing career in Congress."

Clark, a state senator, and Maureen Reed are running to replace Bachmann in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District.

Here's Tinklenberg's letter:

Dear XXXXX,

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has long been known for spouting her extreme right-wing views – and now, it's making her a celebrity in conservative circles. At every opportunity, Bachmann puts personal agenda and her pursuit of the national spotlight ahead of her constituents here in Minnesota. And this weekend is no exception.

Divisive rhetoric and extreme right-wing views have become Michele Bachmann's calling card -- and it's paid off for her. The far-right is rallying around it's darling, Michele Bachmann, filling her campaign coffers – in fact, Bachmann just announced that her campaign raised more than $1 million last year.
Now is the time for us to rally around the candidate who will beat her, Tarryl Clark.
Join me by making a contribution now.

You've done it before. When Michele Bachmann spewed her divisive rhetoric:

"I'm very concerned that he [Barack Obama] may have anti-American views.
That's what the American people are concerned about."

You responded, flooding my website and my mailbox with donations. I remain grateful. You've shown you can match the Bachmann machine. And now, I need you to do it again.

Michele Bachmann's rhetoric has not only continued, but she's been emboldened by the media attention she continues to receive for her divisive rhetoric. The more controversy she creates, the more the far-right adores her.

It's time we take Congresswoman Bachmann out of that national spotlight and bring and end to her do-nothing career in Congress.

I hope you will support Tarryl's campaign to defeat Michele Bachmann with a donation of $25, $50, or $100 today.

Tarryl Clark knows how to win in districts that have been tough for Democrats – she's already done it. She was elected to the State Senate in a special election to fill a previously Republican seat. Just a year later, she was re-elected with the highest vote totals in her district, and selected by her colleagues to serve as the Senate's Assistant Majority Leader – the number two position in the Senate.

As a Senator and a leader, Tarryl has been a champion for the issues that matter to us – from creating jobs to expanding educational opportunities, from protecting consumers to standing up to insurance companies. Tarryl will go to Congress and be the steadfast advocate for people that Minnesota's 6th District deserves – and currently lack in Michele Bachmann.

Most importantly, Tarryl is already putting together a tremendous campaign. She's lined up thousands of supporters, countless endorsements, and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. She's building the kind of grassroots campaign it will take to win – with an army of volunteers on the ground and the resources to take Michele Bachmann head-on over the airwaves.

The only thing she still needs is you.
Will you help us defeat Michele Bachmann by making a donation of $25, $50, or $100 or more to Tarryl Clark's campaign for Congress today?