… would you be asking the same question if it were blindness, deafness, quadriplegia or diabetes?*

As you can imagine, I’m not a big fan of Michele Bachmann’s policy positions.  But I’ve been appalled at how quickly folks on both sides of the political aisle have decided that even the possibility of a physical disability might disqualify her from the presidency.  And what’s even odder, the only criticism of the question has come from a gender perspective:   is it sexist to point out migraines?  C’mon, folks!  Whether you agree with her or not, it’s pretty inappropriate to question her ability to govern based on a disability.

And this is different than the question whether it’s OK for the LGBTQ community to wonder whether Marcus Bachmann is gay.  I find that a bit awkward, given that it’s based on stereotypes, but at least its a community on some level claiming Mr. Bachmann as one of their own.  The pearl-clutching about Rep. Bachmann’s migraines is all from the outside:  allegedly concerned non-disabled people furrowing their brows about whether someone with a physical impairment could possibly govern the country.

This does not bode well for the first time a candidate using a wheelchair runs for office.  Oh, wait:

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* If you answered “yes” to this question, please report immediately to your nearest qualified disability rights organization for enlightenment.