'Hurricane was message from God to Washington politicians': Michele Bachmann says He is angry with government policies

Campaign spokesperson claims statement was a 'joke'

Michele Bachmann has claimed that Hurricane Irene and last week's earthquake in the eastern United States were messages from God to lawmakers in Washington.



The Republican presidential candidate used the hurricane, which has killed at least 32 people and caused billions of pounds of damage, and the 5.8 earthquake, as signs of God's anger at government policies.

Speaking on Saturday, just as Irene was beginning its raking course up the East Coast, Mrs Bachmann told senior citizens in Poinciana, Florida: 'Washington, DC, you'd think by now they'd get the message. An earthquake, a hurricane. Are you listening?'

'Act of God': Michele Bachmann, seen here addressing supporters at Sahib Shrine in Sarasota, Florida yesterday, said Hurricane Irene was message from God to Washington

She added, drawing some laughs from her audience: 'The American people have done everything they can, and now it's time for an act of God and we're getting it.'

She added: 'I don't know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians.

'We've had an earthquake; we've had a hurricane. He said: "Are you going to start listening to me here?"

'Listen to the American people because the American people are roaring right now. They know government is on a morbid obesity diet and we've got to rein in the spending.'

Campaign trail: Mrs Bachmann, pictured greeting supporters outside Calistoga Bakery Cafe in Naples, Florida today, wants to be the GOP presidential nominee

Responding to criticism of the statement, a spokesperson for the Minnesota congresswoman said: 'Obviously she was saying it in jest.'



Mrs Bachmann, who has gained media prominence for her fiery attacks on Democratic President Barack Obama and against big government, is a favourite of the fiscally conservative Tea Party movement and of religious social conservatives.

But recent Republican presidential contender polls have shown her lagging behind Texas Governor Rick Perry and moderate Mitt Romney, who appeals to the party's business wing.



