Bachmann: I'm 'substantive, serious'

WASHINGTON -- Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann is acknowledging "misspeaking" occasionally, including wrongly claiming that actor John Wayne was from her Waterloo, Iowa, hometown, but says she's "a substantive, serious person" who would be a good president.

Bachmann, who announced her candidacy on Monday, flubbed her hometown history in a weekend interview in which she declared "John Wayne was from Waterloo" and "that's the kind of spirit that I have, too."

The actor was born in Iowa, but nearly 150 miles away.

It was the serial killer John Wayne Gacy Jr. who lived for a time in Waterloo.

The GOP congresswoman told CNN yesterday her comments "were just misspeaking" and that her main intent was to show she identified with Wayne's patriotism.

"I wish I could be perfect," Bachmann said. "I'm a substantive, serious person" who has "good sense on how to turn the economy around" as president.

Later Tuesday, the Minnesota congresswoman argued in New Hampshire that Washington is full of wasteful spending ideas.

She cited obscure bills, including one pushed by a Democrat a few years back to establish a $5-million-a-year conservation fund.

It would have gone to help other countries protect rare foxes, wild dogs, lions, leopards and other endangered species. The measure cleared the House but stalled in the Senate.

Bachmann, a tea party favorite, is campaigning on a theme of slimmer government while also calling for an array of tax cuts.

From New Hampshire, Bachmann headed to South Carolina.

She's scheduled to return this weekend to Iowa.