Sarah Palin sees Russia from Alaska and Michele Bachmann sees the Soviet Union.

According to the Republican presidential contender the Soviet Union presents a great threat to the American public.

The Minnesota Representative made the comments on air with radio host Jay Sekulow.

"What people recognise is that there's a fear that the United States is in an unstoppable decline. They see the rise of China, the rise of India, the rise of the Soviet Union and our loss militarily going forward," she said.

The Soviet Union disbanded twenty years ago and is now fifteen separate nations.

This may be Bachmann's biggest gaffe to date, but it is certainly not her first.

In South Carolina the congresswoman mixed her dates.

"Before we get started, let's all say happy birthday to Elvis Presley today."

It was in fact the anniversary of his death.

Before Bachmann announced her candidacy, she confused an actor with a serial killer.

"John Wayne was from Waterloo... that's the kind of spirit that I have, too."

John Wayne Gacy was the only John Wayne to have lived in Waterloo and he murdered 33 young men.

Following this mistake, Bachmann was pensive. "I wish I could be perfect," she said, "I'm a substantive, serious person."

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