Make room, gentlemen.
CNN:
Rep. Michele Bachmann will form a presidential exploratory committee. The Minnesota Republican plans to file papers for the committee in early June, with an announcement likely around that same time. But a source close to the congresswoman said that Bachmann could form the exploratory committee even earlier than June so that she could participate in early Republican presidential debates.”She’s been telling everyone early summer,” the source told CNN regarding Bachmann’s planned June filing and announcement. But the source said that nothing is static.
Tonight on MSNBC, Chris Matthews will be speaking in tongues.
UPDATE: As discussed in the Three Martini Lunch, this is good news for a lot of folks beyond Michele Bachmann fans.
Right now, the Republican field has several big names and key figures whose ultimate decision on a campaign is still unresolved, most notably Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee, and Mitch Daniels. (Anyone doubt Mitt Romney is running?) I’m not eager for the intensity of the presidential campaign to start as early as it did in 2007, and I have great sympathy for potential candidates as they contemplate a difficult, life-changing decision, often having to consider the campaign’s impact on their families.
But in the end, the party is looking for a nominee, and Republican voters can’t really begin the process of evaluating candidates without knowing who’s serious and who’s just enjoying seeing their name mentioned. I think if a candidate has no intention of running, they should say so early — avoid the Mario Cuomo Hamlet (“To be or not to be”) routines, and if they aren’t fully committed to a campaign, they shouldn’t bother. Of course political figures have great incentives to keep their names out there as potential candidates — more media attention, more speaking invitations, more interest in books, and (sometimes) higher book sales. But any potential president has to think of bigger causes than their own egos or bottom lines.
As mentioned above, an announcement of “after great consideration and prayer, I have decided to not run for president” from Palin, Huckabee, or Daniels would force a lot of Republicans to reevaluate their choices. Probably in that order, although each figure’s base of support is different; Daniels has more fans in the press, Huckabee among evangelicals, and Palin among the Tea Party/grassroots.
Bachmann’s in; the surprising entry of a fairly new face, with a high profile in the media, may prompt other potential candidates to focus their thinking. With similar pugnacious styles and equally at home on television, it would seem that Palin and Bachmann appeal to the same base; the center of the Venn diagram of Palin supporters and Bachmann supporters must be pretty large. Palin has campaigned for Bachmann and the two seem friendly. Is the GOP primary big enough for the both of them? It’s hard to picture either strong-willed woman deferring to the other; yet it’s also hard to imagine either one strongly criticizing the other, either. Could they end up splitting their natural constituency and create an opening for some other candidate?
Ugh, brutal....
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGO MICHELE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally Someone in this race who fights for Conservatism and is not afraid of what she believes!!!! AHAHAHA all the liberals will be in a tizzy all day today because of this, Matthews and maddow will be foaming at the mouth!!!
BACHMANN 2012!!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis is just crazy. bachmann has trouble getting re-elected in the most conservative congressional district in Minnesota. Does any sane person really believe she has a reasonable chance being elected President?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf she's the GOP nominee I predict she wins fewer than 100 elctoral votes.
The GOP Presidential field in 2012--too many flawed candidates and not nearly enough adults in the field. Right now I wouldn't bet againist Obama for a 2nd term.
Bob, what do you mean has trouble getting reelected in her home district, she won 52% to 40% in 2010!! IN MN!!!!! She is a staunch defender of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and i will support her campaign. She will be my candidate unless Sarah Palin runs. The women on our side have all the guts, all the men are afraid of obama. Obama can be beat he is very vunerable but we need someone who will contrast his policies and make us proud to be Americans again!!!
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Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI suppose Bachmann's head is so big she seems to think she will have more success than the following Representatives who ran for President:
Jack Kemp 1988: 2.72% of votes
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBob Dornan 1996: 0.28% of votes
Ron Paul 2008: 21 delegates
here is my source for michele bachmann reelection results in 2010: External Link
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Chris Matthews will be speaking in tongues."
Will anyone know the difference?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI like Rep. Bachmann, she's tough.
But unless someone who isn't planning to run decides to get in, I will probably support one of the candidates George Will lists as serious contenders.
But I and people like me have a problem, most of those guys cover the same political space (the space occupied by voters who want a skilled manager first and foremost), and it looks like several of them are running and could split the vote pretty badly. If Palin does not get in there are not going to be many people vying for the populist crusader vote, a lot of which could go to the congressman (she prefers congressman over congresswoman) from Minnesota.
Personally I think she would be a better president than a presidential candidate, and you have to be a good candidate to get elected in November. I think one of my preferred candidates will win, but it could get very interesting, especially in Iowa and South Carolina.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusesoftballs matthews will definitely bust a gasket or two, and coupled with no more tingles up his liberal limbs, the host of softballs will be an amusing sideshow much more so than usual.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseA grating personality who manages to turn off unsympathetic/neutral people. Just what we need.
Her response to the Lexington/Concord thing was goofy and immature to the point I was half expecting her to blame the "lamestream media."
These people think they can check the right boxes and regurgitate some talking points in the course of a couple years and generate the philosophical core that it took Reagan decades to develop.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI live in South Carolina and would be ready to go to work tomorrow for anyone who could keep Bachmann or Palin from winning our primary.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseShe likely does not have much chance, but she's young. Its worth testing the waters. It is only when someone knows he/she has no chance yet continues, that it looks pathetic (Ron Paul, Alan Keyes, Tommy Thompson). If she explores, finds insufficient support, gets out and runs for re-election to the House, no harm done. She will have increased her name ID, learned some lessons, and will be better at it down the road.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI say the more the merrier this go around.
Conservativenick think about it for a moment. In a great republican year like 2010 Bachmann recieved 52% of the vote. This isn't impressive.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMost incumbent House members running for re-election have many many advantages over their opponent and thus win with more than 60% of the vote on a regular basis. Bachmann's 52% of the vote tells me that alot of Republicans in her district probably didn't vote for her.
If Bachmann could get elected to statewide office in Minnesota I'd be impressed and would consider her Presidential timber. However getting 52% of the vote in 2010 tells me she can't win the votes of moderate Republicans, conservative Democrats, or independents in sufficent numbers to be a serious Presidential candidate.
Palin - Bachmann 2012 and let the snits bite their tongues
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI live across the river from MB's district. I love her strong defense of conservative principles, and her voting record is fantastic, but as someone once said, she's "all red meat all the time." She makes Sarah Palin sound like a RINO. (By this, I’m referring just to tone, not the actual substance of MB’s and SP’s ideological positions, both of whom are solidly conservative.) It’s one thing to take on the Olympia Snowes of the party, but when you offer an alternate response to the SOTU because Paul Ryan is ostensibly not good enough, I think it tends to marginalize her. What we really need is someone who can communicate conservative ideas in a way that doesn’t alienate people in the middle. I think Marco Rubio exemplifies this although others also do a great job in this regard. Unfortunately, he’s really too green to run this early in his senate career. Even so, I think people who do run should learn from his style. Marco Rubio is a hardcore conservative, but is able to communicate his beliefs in a way that inspires and unifies people rather than divides them. In any case, MB is a courageous congresswoman who likely will be able to keep winning elections in our state’s reddest district, but she will never be elected statewide or nationwide. It’s not that she’s too conservative but rather that she is too strident in her tone.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBob, she beat her opponet by 12 points, if you go back and look at 2008 she only won by 3 or 4 so she expanded her lead IN MN!!! We are not talking about Mississippi or a conservative state! She has been able to win elections in an exteremly liberal state without moderating or going soft on her beliefs. Independents may not agree with her on every issue but they also do not agree with Obama on every issue and Bachmann at least states where she stands on an issue and does not run from it. She stands with America and if we dont support someone like her for president I am afraid we will lose 2012. Romney, Pawlenty, Barbour all are nice guys but none of them have the conservative core that Bachmann has. We conservatives need to stop being afraid of our belifs and need to stand by and support the people who do stand up for what we believe. Its so funny when i hear she doesnt appeal to moderates, so we need someone who will. Who is that? Another John McCain? That worked out really well!! I dont wanna get on that ride again. Bachmann is articulate, bright, willing to get out and fight for us. She goes on Chris Matthews and they have to get like 3 or 4 liberals on to counter her. God Bless Her!!!!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI hope she runs because her stridency and grating personal style will only serve to make the eventual GOP nominee seem reasonable and sensible by comparison to the average American voter during the general election.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMaybe for once the Republican should try nominating and supporting the person they agree with rather than trying to game the electorate and choose the right pant crease.
As to inexperience, I can think of another two-term representative and unlikely president from the Midwest. He did OK. He's on the penny.
At many calm points in American history, the manager with the impeccable resume might be the right choice. At certain moments of crisis, sometimes the times call for more unconventional choices.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseJim wrote: "Is the GOP primary big enough for the both of them? It’s hard to picture either strong-willed woman deferring to the other; yet it’s also hard to imagine either one strongly criticizing the other, either. Could they end up splitting their natural constituency and create an opening for some other candidate?"
I don't think that will happen. I like both women very much, but there would be no question that I would vote for Palin over Bachmann.
Michelle Bachmann is a conservative hero, but Sarah Palin is a conservative icon. Different leagues entirely.
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