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BY NICOLE THOMPSON

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

You're watching multisource U.S. news analysis from Newsy.

Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann saw more in Hurricane Irene this weekend than violent winds, raging floods and dozens of deaths - she saw an act of God.

ABC has her comments.

MICHELE BACHMANN, R-MN: “I don't know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians. We've had an earthquake; we've had a hurricane. He said, 'Are you going to start listening to me here?' Listen to the American people because the American people are roaring right now. They know government is on a morbid obesity diet and we've got to rein in the spending."

Bachmann made those comments at a rally in Sarasota, Florida, on Sunday.

And controversy over her words-- quickly followed.

A blogger at the liberal Think Progress sees some irony in Bachmann’s logic.

“It’s ironic that God would use a hurricane to send a memo about cutting government spending, considering that the damage it causes it likely going to increase government spending.”

And The Washington Post’s Jonathan Capehart has seen all these comments before - but from televangelists.

“We’re used to cranks like Pat Robertson claiming that a natural disaster is the will of God. But he’s not running to be president of the United States.”

This isn’t the first time Bachmann has claimed she has the ability to speak with God.

The International Business Times notes-- Bachmann based her Minnesota State Senate run on a higher calling-- a central theme in her presidential campaign as well.

“That religiosity has energized the evangelical Christian voters whose support is central to Bachmann's election odds.”

So is Bachmann trying to take things back to her religious base?

Some say-- it’s an attempt to get the spotlight back on her campaign after losing ground to fellow candidate Texas Governor Rick Perry.

Here’s what former congressional candidate Krystal Ball had to say to CNN.

KRYSTAL BALL, CNN: “She is going to have to answer for this. I think Michele Bachmann is badly struggling in the polls. She has a history of making some very extreme, out of the mainstream statements. This is just another example.”

And Bachmann is attempting to answer for her comments. A campaign spokesperson told Talking Points Memo:

"Obviously she was saying it in jest."

However, Politico says joking about natural disasters brings up another issue entirely.

“That does, though, raise the question of whether it's appropriate for a presidential candidate and member of Congress to be joking about a major weather event that has already resulted in fatalities and extensive property damage, and isn't over yet.”

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