Bachmann vs. Perry

An issue seems to be heating up more every day between Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry: the HPV vaccine.  (This vaccine is to mainly prevent cervical cancer in young women.)

So, why is this causing such a stir between to the representatives?

Well to start, Texas has an HPV vaccine policy. This policy states that all females entering the sixth grade will receive the vaccine, with some exceptions of course. Keep that in mind.

Now, during the Republican Primary debate this past week, Bachmann accused Perry of taking a $5,000 campaign contribution from a medical company, Merck, so that in turn he will support the HPV vaccine policy in Texas. To which Perry denies by stating, “If you’re saying I can be bought for $5,000, I’m offended.”

What are Bachmann & Perry’s stances on this issue?

Bachmann is anything, but for this policy. She comes at this from the angle of a concerned parent.  Bachmann fears that it gives young girls the idea that this vaccine can protect against any STD. Not only that, but that certain side effects from the vaccine are just too risky.

Perry, on the other hand, was looking at the HPV vaccine as “pro-life” attempt. Ever since he launched his GOP presidential bid, he claims to have changed his position on the vaccine mandate and is in full support of over-turning it. In this past week’s debate Perry commented on his mistake and that he would do it over again if he could.

While Perry’s plea of regret might ease some parents’ minds, Bachmann is one parent who won’t accept it. With latest research it doesn’t seem that her accusations, of Perry’s suspicious involvements with support of the vaccine, are too far off.

The Washington Post released an article early September 13^th that will clarify more appropriately than myself.

“It soon emerged that Perry was close to one of the lobbyists who was pushing for the order and who worked for the vaccine’s New Jersey-based manufacturer. That lobbyist, Mike Toomey, had served as Perry’s chief of staff and has since helped found a super PAC aimed at boosting Perry’s bid for the presidency.” (Dan Eggen)

…

“At the time that he did this, it just had everybody scratching their heads,” said Andrew Wheat, research director at Texans for Public Justice, an Austin-based watchdog group that has frequently locked horns with Perry. “He wasn’t known as a crusader for women’s health. There’s no explanation that seems to make sense other than that Toomey’s got his ear and he got Perry to do this favor for him.” (Eggen)

Nonetheless, this is an issue that is far from having any sort of closure.

See what Bachmann had to say on Jay Leno.