GOP hopeful Bachmann refuses to answer question on husband’s clinic

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) declared her husband’s work as a counselor for gay youth off-limits during her pursuit of the Republican presidential nomination.

Amid reports that the Tea Party congresswoman’s husband, Marcus Bachmann, had run a clinic that administered so-called “reparative therapy,” seeking to encourage LGBT individuals into a straight lifestyle, Rep. Bachmann said those reports weren’t an issue.

{mosads}”I am running for the presidency of the United States. My husband is not running for the presidency,” Bachmann said during a speech at the National Press Club. “Neither is my business.”

Marcus Bachmann has come under scrutiny since an initial report in The Nation, suggesting that he had run a religious-based clinic that received state and federal funding that included faith-based efforts to change individuals’ sexual orientation.

Rep. Bachmann declined to address a question about whether she believes in the effectiveness of reparative therapy, and wouldn’t say whether the clinic has received any taxpayer funding.

Marcus Bachmann has been a presence in the campaign — he was at the Thursday speech, as were two of their biological children. He introduced his wife during her formal campaign launch in Waterloo, Iowa, last month.

Rep. Bachmann has spoken of their strong union; they’re close to having been married for 30 years. She told the audience of press club members that she and her husband “made the decision” to run for president together.

She also placed a strong emphasis on the role her faith played in her campaign.

“I am a Christian,” she said, “and as president of the United States, I will pray every day and ask the Lord to give me guidance.”

The question about her husband’s work wasn’t the only one for which Bachmann wouldn’t provide a direct answer. She didn’t say whether she would necessarily support House Speaker John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) continuing on in that role if his plan to raise the nation’s debt limit makes its way through Congress. (Bachmann will vote against it.)

“I am running for president of the United States,” she said. “I am not running for Speaker of the House.”