Does Ben Franklin Hate Obamacare?

Former presidential candidate Michele Bachmann seems to think so.

On Wednesday, she held a press conference announcing that she would “stand aside” and end her campaign after a disappointing 6th place finish in Iowa, her home state. During the speech, she told her audience that she was inspired to run after seeing a painting in the U.S. Capitol building, Howard Chandler Christy’s “Scene At the Signing of the Constitution,” which depicts the Founding Fathers signing the Constitution.

The portrait, she said, truly spoke to her — and told her to oppose Obama’s health care plan, now enshrined into law as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

“Never was the painting’s poignant reminder more evident than on the evening of March 21, 2010. That was the evening that Obamacare was passed. And staring out from the painting are the faces of the Founders, and in particular the face of Ben Franklin…that day served as the inspiration for my run for the Presidency of the United States.”

Although her presidential campaign has ended, she promised her supporters that she would continue to oppose the Affordable Care Act — at least while Ben Franklin is still watching her.

“I’ll continue to stand and fight for the country and for the American people and for our freedom because Mr. Franklin and all the Founders…are watching us. They’re expecting us to stand up and protect what they fought to give us.”

Bachmann also promised to never become a politician, despite being involved in politics for over a decade.

“While a Congresswoman by title, a politician I never have been, nor will I ever hope to be.”

What’s next for her? God only knows. At least according to Bachmann, who tried to cheer up her disappointed supporters with a folksy reminder toward the end of her concession speech.

“I look forward to the next chapter in God’s plan. He has one for each of us, you know.”

Check out the highlights from speech here: