Michele Bachmann says Palin won't influence her own 2012 decision

CBS News ^ | 05/26/2011 | Jill Jackson

[SeekAndFind]

The potential 2012 presidential candidate with the most to lose if Sarah Palin throws her hat into the Republican presidential primary is Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.).

The two women appeal to both fiscal and social conservatives. Both are beloved by the Tea Party. And they would be strong contenders individually to win in the Iowa Caucuses and South Carolina primary.

But Bachmann, who is at the beginning of her third term in the House of Representatives, would have to compete with Palin's massive star power, national name recognition and fundraising ability. Which raises the question, would Bachmann even bother to run if Sarah Palin joins the race to compete against President Obama?

In light of recent news reports that Palin is considering a run for the White House, CBS News asked Bachmann that question today just off the House floor.

"My decision won't be dependent on the governor's decision or on anyone else's decision" Bachmann said.

Bachmann would not say whether a Palin candidacy would make winning the nomination more challenging for her. She said, ultimately, the decision will be up to the voters and that it's still going to be a while before the GOP field is set.

Referring to Palin, Bachmann said, "I have a lot of respect for the governor and for all of the candidates and so we don't know how long it will be -- people will continue to jump in the race - it could still be this fall. We don't know."

When asked whether she had spoken to Palin herself, Bachmann said she would love to, but "I don't have her cell phone number."

Bachmann is expected to announce her plans to run for President next month

[Windflier]

If both women enter the race, I will throw my support to Michele Bachmann.

Sure you will, n00b.

[rob777]

"I just think MB will do better in the primaries.

I also feel MB is more electable than Palin.

Not that I do not like Palin. I like her.

I just think Palin’s negatives are too high."


While all of the above are points I agree with, the bigger issue for me is that Bachmann does a much better job of articulating a conservative vision. I have said many times that I consider Sarah more of a populist than an ideological conservative.

[lara]

Once the media is done with MB, her negatives will be just as high.
I’m not going to let the media decide which candidate they deem the most acceptable.
I’m going with Sarah. There won’t be anyone tougher on the media than Sarah.

[Windflier]

Not that I do not like Palin. I like her. I just think Palin’s negatives are too high.

Stop sipping the swill from the leftstream media, and maybe you'll feel differently. Reagan had to overcome the exact same media attacks.

[PreciousLiberty]

“But Bachmann, who is at the beginning of her third term in the House of Representatives, would have to compete with Palin’s massive star power, national name recognition and fundraising ability.”

Yep. If Sarah runs, Bachmann will be like a 60 Watt bulb next to a 1,000,000 Watt arc light. It won’t even be a contest.

Palin ‘12!!!

[rob777]

"Silly rabbit. Don’t you know that the media will do to Bachman what they did to Palin. Palin has proved her ability to flip the middle finger to the media and her critics. Bachman hasn’t proven the ability to do squat."


Sarah does not have the same ability as Michele to take on media figures one on one in their own element. She has only traded barbs from afar. Flipping her middle finger at them from afar is not the same thing as defending her positions in a face to face interview. Michele is better at this hands down.

[Americanexpat]

The only negatives Palin has is what the media and the Dems says she has and everyone knpows it is all BS. Tjhey have not convinced me that any of the crap they are thrown has stuck to the wall.

[trisham]

Bachmann is a good conservative, but imho, she is no match for Sarah. I might see her as VP though.

[Americanexpat]

Wow, excuse me folks I should have editied that. ;>)

[The Cajun]

Gotta love Michele, but this isn't a fight she's going to win.

To venture a guess, I think Michele is there just to help Sarah play with their (Rats, Rinos and MSM) minds.
A two barrel shotgun is always better than a single........Sarah is a hunter :^)

[clashfan]

Palin/Bachmann2012

[Catsrus]

Of course, Sarah’s negatives are higher. The zero lame stream media did their job. Not the job they are supposed to do, but the bidding of the poser in office.

I don’t see MB as electable at all. Sorry, but, she just isn’t.

[newzjunkey]

Why do the press, and some freepers, act as if there's only room for one woman in the GOP nomination race?

Let them both run and make their cases. I've cooled on Bachmann some but want to see how she runs. I also try hard not to let fanaticism around Palin dissuade me from giving her a serious look.

Given a choice between the two, I'd lean Palin only because of her (brief) executive experience.

[Windflier]

To venture a guess, I think Michele is there just to help Sarah play with their (Rats, Rinos and MSM) minds. A two barrel shotgun is always better than a single........Sarah is a hunter :^)

It's an interesting theory, and I admit that it's crossed my mind a time or two, but I really think that Michele is serious about her presidential bid. Why, I have no idea, given the actual dynamics of the race.

I love her to death, and I know that there are some who honestly support her, but the truth is, she doesn't stand a chance of being elected president (IMO).

[Windflier]

The only negatives Palin has is what the media and the Dems says she has and everyone knpows it is all BS. Tjhey have not convinced me that any of the crap they are thrown has stuck to the wall.

My opinion on the "high negatives" theory, is that those who believe the media swill were never going to support Palin anyway - and those who were already likely to throw their support to her, haven't been swayed one iota by it.

A complete waste of time and energy on the media's part.

[ASA Vet]

Michele Bachmann

born April 6, 1956 in Waterloo, IA (Meets the Jus Soli Requirement)

Parents were
David John Amble, born in MN
Jean Johnson, born in IA

Both parents were US Citizens at the time of her birth (Meets the Jus sanguinis Requirement)

Michele Bachmann is a NATURAL BORN CITIZEN unlike Barry Soetoro aka Barack Hussein Obama.

[rob777]

"I don’t see MB as electable at all. Sorry, but, she just isn’t."


She might not be, but then again Democratic activists have not actually formed a group whose purpose it is to get her the GOP nomination. They have set up such an effort to have Sarah nominated because they see her as Obama's best chance at re-election.

[The Cajun]

she doesn't stand a chance of being elected president (IMO).

Agreed, but she would make a heck of a VP, Senator or future Speaker of the House.
Call me crazy for any number of obvious political reasons, but I could see a Palin/Bachmann ticket and happily support it.

[Syncro]

It’s also bait.

I see some here got the hook in the jaw...