By Maggie Astor: Subscribe to Maggie's RSS feed
December 6, 2011 12:48 PM EST
Normally, when people confront her on gay rights, Michele Bachmann has a response ready.
For instance, when a 16-year-old high school student asked at a town hall meeting in Waverly, Iowa, why gay couples couldn't get married, Bachmann responded, "They can get married, but they abide by the same law as everyone else. They can marry a man if they're a woman or they can marry a woman if they're a man."
But when an 8-year-old boy approached her at a book signing in South Carolina, Bachmann was stumped.
"My mommy -- Miss Bachmann, my mommy's gay but she doesn't need any fixing," the boy, Elijah, whispered.
Bachmann -- who had initially brought Elijah close to her face so she could hear what she was saying, telling him, "You said it, but I think my ears were too far away" -- pulled back, looking startled, and said, "Bye-bye," as Elijah walked away.
Follow us
Many YouTube commenters criticized the woman for "using" her son to make a political point, but according to the woman who recorded the video, identified only as Jennifer, it was Elijah who wanted to talk to Bachmann.
Elijah's mother was going to say something to Bachmann, "but she got nervous and told me she wanted to leave," Jennifer said. "We were about to step out of the line, but Elijah cried out, 'Nooo!' He grabbed onto her coat and pulled her back in the line, saying he wanted to talk to her. When we got up to Michele, he got a little stage fright. His mom just didn't want him to not say it because he was afraid, because she knew he would regret it if he didn't."
Watch the video below:
The Most Dangerous US States to Drive In 2012 [SLIDESHOW]
After Greece Exits The Euro, What's Next? An Illustrated Guide To 5 Possible Scenarios
Kate Upton Is Back With Sexy Beach Bunny Swimwear Video
A Dead Whale, A School Cafeteria And A Chinese Mystery
Spain's Bankia Suspends Shares On Bailout RumorsWe value your privacy. Your email address will not be shared.
