Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) called on protesters Wednesday to 'scare' members of Congress into killing the health care reform bill. | John Shinkle/POLITICO Bachmann calls for 'scare' tactics

In a conference call Wednesday night with bloggers and activists for the advocacy group Americans for Prosperity, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) called on protesters to “scare” members of Congress into killing the proposed health care reform bill.

If the protesters succeed in scaring lawmakers, Bachmann said that it could cripple efforts to restructure health care for a decade.


“Nothing scares members of Congress more than freedom-loving Americans,” Bachmann said.

She said that members were frightened by the August town hall meetings, but “then they came back to Washington, and they got back in the bubble and Speaker Pelosi put the hammer down on the Democrats.”

Bachmann said that last week, as it appeared a House bill could pass, “I was near despair.”

Last Thursday, she said that in desperation at the prospect of health care legislation passing, she happened upon the idea of a spontaneous meet-up of opponents of the bill on the steps of the Capitol.

Republican organizers are planning for activists to go into the House office buildings and the U.S. Capitol and confront members directly after a press conference at noon.

“Don’t bring your pitchforks,” Bachmann said, “bring your video cameras.”

Bachmann expressed confidence that such efforts would stultify the Democrats’ efforts.

“I think that will absolutely scare these members of Congress so much that Pelosi will not get the votes and it will kill the bill. I think it could be dead for 10 years. Why won’t we? Why won’t we go for broke?”

Last Thursday, Bachmann said she appealed to Republicans but “the conference didn’t pick it up.” The following day, she decided to take matters in her own hands and made her plea directly to Fox News viewers on Sean Hannity’s program. On Saturday, Bachmann said she received a call from actor Jon Voight who offered to join her in Washington, followed by a similar call from conservative talk-show host Mark Levin.

Backmann reasserted a claim that Pelosi was considering tightening security in preparation for the activists, which she warned "would be a huge mistake."

"What's scary is that Rep. Bachmann will go to any length to protect the profits and abusive tactics of the insurance industry by working against meaningful health reform," said Kristie Greco, communications director for House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.).

“You can turn the anger on her,” Bachmann said. “It is not Michele Bachmann’s fault” if the activists are angry tomorrow – “it is Speaker Pelosi’s.”

Bachmann declined to answer a question on the conference call about the news that her chief of staff, Michelle Marston, was resigning.