Posted on 08/11/2011 4:58:53 PM PDT by Kaslin
DES MOINES, Iowa — Things look different in the Midwest. Back in Washington, people are talking about President Barack Obama's poor showing this past week. (Did you see that Maureen Dowd has turned against him?)
In Iowa, they're focused on the state Republicans' presidential straw poll in Ames next Saturday.
And in Wisconsin, they just got through counting the votes in a recall election that has great national significance.
In Iowa, most of the focus has been on Rep. Michele Bachmann.
She's only in her third term in the House, and she hasn't sponsored any major legislation; she has no executive experience in government.
Her Iowa headquarters, in a suburban shopping mall near a Panera Bread cafe, only opened two months ago.
But the buzz is that she has a serious chance to come in first in the straw poll — and far ahead of her Minnesota neighbor, former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who several months ago seemed to be destined to carry Iowa.
What's working for Bachmann was on display when I saw her address 100 employees in an advertising firm in West Des Moines on Wednesday.
She's short and thin — one might almost say petite — but she takes command immediately, her voice booming over the microphone, speaking without hesitation or a single uh or ah.
"I've lived a real life," she says. "I'm not a politician." She weaves deftly into her talk the fact that she's a tax lawyer, that she and her husband started a small business and raised five children and gave a home to 23 foster children.
(Excerpt) Read more at investors.com ...
Bachmann is unlikely to be my first or second choice, but she has been very, very impressive in this campaign. If she does not win the nomination she definitely needs to get a leadership position, or possibly a run for Senate or Governor in MN. She is highly effective.
I like Michelle Bachman, but I don’t know if I will vote for her or not. I do know that several candidates will not get my vote
Worth watching that’s for sure.
Try that, Obama...I bet you one POTUS you can't.
I don’t agree. Her scant legislative record shows she’s not effective at all.
Bachman—the stand in for Sarah Palin—I hope she does well in the debate tonight. I only wish Sarah was in the race.
Don't ask me why, I don't fully understand the male mind... :)
I am very impressed with Bachmann so far.
The dems will most likely put up Hillary, it would be fun to see the two of these women debate.
It’s ceased to be about being effective, it’s become imperative for the nation that we elect people that know right from wrong and will do right. Every time. Because it’s right.
This is what’s demanded from one’s oath of office and to live free under our U.S. Constitution.
BTTT
” The dems will most likely put up Hillary, it would be fun to see the two of these women debate.”
Not so much for Hillary......Bachmann would destroy her : )
Bachmann would SLAUGHTER Obama the TOTUS.
She’s pretty much where most House members are in their first few terms. Only a few get into lower rung leadership positions or author bills. My lack of support for her candidacy has to do with her lack of executive leadership experience.
That has nothing to do with her campaign skills and demonstrable competence on the issues. She has been much stronger than I would have ever imagined.
“She’s only in her third term in the House, and she hasn’t sponsored any major legislation; she has no executive experience in government.”
How is this bad? Our country is being destroyed by disastrous major legislation” sponsored by long term congressional squatters. I don’t give a rat’s behind if she has not sponsored legislation. The question is, will she support and sign good bills that we want, and will she veto the socialist/marxist crap like the health care bill?
As ole Fritz Hollings might say, We got too much legislatin’ going on out there.
My opinion is similar to yours. I like her a lot and think she’s done a good job in Congress, but just don’t see her as having the executive experience to be president.
For me executive experience is preferred, but consistent conservative credentials are the most important. Carter had executive experience, but his beliefs were all wrong so he was a disaster. Obama’s real problem isn’t his lack of experience, it’s his ideology.
Bachmann gets my vote.
Don’t forget Mitt is for ‘immigration reform’, code term for amnesty. Hey Mitt we already have laws on the books to deal with the problem.
Bachmann/Rubio = Morning in America
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.