Bachmann tosses hat in 2012 ring

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13929877

US election 2012: Michele Bachmann eyes Republican race

2011/06/27 08:40 ET

A new poll of Republicans in Iowa puts Ms Bachmann on a par with frontrunner Mitt Romney

Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann is set to be the latest Republican to formally announce a bid for the US presidency in 2012.

Ms Bachmann, 55, a favourite of the economically conservative Tea Party movement, is to declare on Monday in the US state of Iowa - her birthplace.

A poll of party members there shows her virtually tied with frontrunner Mitt Romney, with 22% of the support.

Iowa is the first state Republicans vote in for their 2012 candidate.

Its caucuses in early February are the first electoral event in the US presidential nomination process.

BBC North America editor Mark Mardell says Republicans feel that next year's presidential election is winnable if only they have a candidate who sparkles - and Michele Bachmann is the latest to catch their eye.

She is already a darling of the Tea Party movement for her plain talking and forthright conviction politics.

While she has made her share of harsh statements - seen by opponents as gaffes - some think she has many of Sarah Palin's qualities with fewer of the drawbacks, our correspondent adds.

Ms Bachmann stresses her record as a tax lawyer and founder of a charter school, as well as repeating frequently that she is a mother of five children and foster mother to 23.

She is an economic conservative who says she will not vote to raise America's debt limit and is urging big tax cuts.

And Ms Bachmann is also a social conservative - a born-again Christian and a fierce opponent of abortion and gay marriage.

That goes down well with Republicans in Iowa, but may not be such a draw to those in the middle ground, our correspondent says.

Hours before formally announcing her bid, she spoke to hundreds of residents in her hometown of Waterloo, Iowa, and was quoted by Politico as saying: "Do you realise how powerful your vote will be? I need you. Will you help me?"

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Bachmann is a very odd personality if her on-record quotes are anything to go by.

[^_^ 5,021]

Bachmann is a very odd personality if her on-record quotes are anything to go by.

She used to be a Democrat. I think she's not what she pretends to be. Just another ambitious lawyer who will be anything for anyone if the result is more power.

[SMR 368]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13929877

US election 2012: Michele Bachmann eyes Republican race

2011/06/27 08:40 ET

A new poll of Republicans in Iowa puts Ms Bachmann on a par with frontrunner Mitt Romney

Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann is set to be the latest Republican to formally announce a bid for the US presidency in 2012.

Ms Bachmann, 55, a favourite of the economically conservative Tea Party movement, is to declare on Monday in the US state of Iowa - her birthplace.

A poll of party members there shows her virtually tied with frontrunner Mitt Romney, with 22% of the support.

Iowa is the first state Republicans vote in for their 2012 candidate.

Its caucuses in early February are the first electoral event in the US presidential nomination process.

BBC North America editor Mark Mardell says Republicans feel that next year's presidential election is winnable if only they have a candidate who sparkles - and Michele Bachmann is the latest to catch their eye.

She is already a darling of the Tea Party movement for her plain talking and forthright conviction politics.

While she has made her share of harsh statements - seen by opponents as gaffes - some think she has many of Sarah Palin's qualities with fewer of the drawbacks, our correspondent adds.

Ms Bachmann stresses her record as a tax lawyer and founder of a charter school, as well as repeating frequently that she is a mother of five children and foster mother to 23.

She is an economic conservative who says she will not vote to raise America's debt limit and is urging big tax cuts.

And Ms Bachmann is also a social conservative - a born-again Christian and a fierce opponent of abortion and gay marriage.

That goes down well with Republicans in Iowa, but may not be such a draw to those in the middle ground, our correspondent says.

Hours before formally announcing her bid, she spoke to hundreds of residents in her hometown of Waterloo, Iowa, and was quoted by Politico as saying: "Do you realise how powerful your vote will be? I need you. Will you help me?"

I'm confused. Didn't she enter the "ring" several weeks ago? Political affiliations aside, I think the process of announcing your candidacy is pretty ridiculous. Don't tell me what you are going to tell me. If you're a candidate, just announce it and be done with it.

[^_^ 5,021]

I'm confused. Didn't she enter the "ring" several weeks ago? Political affiliations aside, I think the process of announcing your candidacy is pretty ridiculous. Don't tell me what you are going to tell me. If you're a candidate, just announce it and be done with it.

I forget who, but someone did a satire on this process recently, using Newt as an example.

[mawilson 2,133]

She's going to win this one.

[^_^ 5,021]

She's going to win this one.

If the Tea Party can't get the nomination in 2012, they never can.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

If the Tea Party can't get the nomination in 2012, they never can.

"Tea Party" is not an official political party--it is made up of wide spectrum who are fed-up with PC'ism of the two lamestream parties.

[^_^ 5,021]

"Tea Party" is not an official political party

No chit, captain obvious.

[Vi-Jay 218]

She's going to win this one.

Are you serious?

[mawilson 2,133]

Are you serious?

She's not a fake, like everyone else.

[Vi-Jay 218]

She's not a fake, like everyone else.

She does speak her mind.

Edited June 27, 2011 by Vi-Jay

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

"Tea Party" is not an official political party--it is made up of wide spectrum who are fed-up with PC'ism of the two lamestream parties.

That's certainly what they want people to believe...

[^_^ 5,021]

She does speak her mind.

She used to be a Democrat and jumped on the RWN bandwagon to secure political power.

[Vi-Jay 218]

She used to be a Democrat and jumped on the RWN bandwagon to secure political power.

There are plenty of converts on both sides of the table.