THIS COULD BE PAINFUL – AT 10:44 A.M. ET:  Since late last night a story has been circulating about the medical condition of Michele Bachmann.  It was published on, ironically, the Daily Caller, a conservative site:

In late July 2010, Rep. Michele Bachmann’s then-communications director, Dave Dziok, told his boss that he planned to take a new job with the public relations firm Edelman.

Dziok had worked for Bachmann for two and a half years, a relatively long period by the standards of her office, and was leaving on good terms.

Staff turnover can frustrate any employer, but Bachmann responded more dramatically. Dziok’s departure triggered a debilitating medical episode that landed the congresswoman in urgent care.

“Within 24 hours she was in the hospital,” a former aide says.

Bachmann was admitted to a Washington, D.C. hospital on Friday, July 30, and released that same day. She flew home to Minnesota to recuperate, missing a scheduled campaign event with Sen. Roy Blunt.

And...

It was, according to three people who have worked closely with Bachmann, not an isolated event.

The Minnesota Republican frequently suffers from stress-induced medical episodes that she has characterized as severe headaches. These episodes, say witnesses, occur once a week on average and can “incapacitate” her for days at time. On at least three occasions, Bachmann has landed in the hospital as a result.

COMMENT:  This is serious, potentially disqualifying stuff.  Bachmann must deal with it immediately, real fast.  If she tries to ignore it, it will come back later. 

Is the story true, partially true, completely true?  If the story if completely true, and she suffers from stress-related incidents that incapacite her, she is finished as a candidate for president.  But it may be only partially true.  She may, for example, be particularly cautious about headaches, and seek medical attention.

Or, the story can be wildly exaggerated, the vindictive work of disgruntled former staffers. 

Whatever the truth, Bachmann must handle the story as potentially fatal.  I want to see her in front of microphones.

We recall that, in 1972, Senator George McGovern, the Democratic candidate for president, selected Senator Tom Eagleton of Missouri as his running mate.  As the campaign got started, it was revealed that Eagleton had gone through electro-shock therapy for a mental issue.  He had to leave the campaign, and was replaced by R. Sargent Shriver.  But the episode essentially finished McGovern, for it was felt that it reflected on his judgment.

We'll be following this.

July 19, 2011