First it was the Newsweek cover pic of GOP presidential wannabe Michele Bachmann, “The Queen of Rage.” It was unflattering, to say the least, and widely believed to have been chosen by Editor Tina Brown for precisely that reason. But it was a glamor shot compared to this candid of Bachmann eating a corn dog at this week’s Iowa State Fair. (Any resemblance to eating anything else is purely coincidental.)

Even in my family, where eating at large gatherings is a ritual of long standing, there has always been an understanding that (a) you don’t photograph people with their mouths agape during a meal and (b) you don’t let yourself get photographed when you have a mouthful of food. It’s guaranteed — guaranteed! — to result in horrible photographs. Just like this one.

Aug. 19, 2015: It’s four years later and there’s been a lot of renewed interest in this post. This year the candidates seem to have learned, finally, not to be photographed eating corn dogs. Those seen at the Iowa State Fair opted for what looked like pork chops on sticks.

Jan. 3, 2018: Once again, I’m seeing renewed interest in this post, probably because Bachmann just announced she is thinking about running for the vacated seat of Sen. Al Franken (D-MN). She’s one of several recurring nightmares in our political landscape.