Michele Bachmann (Getty)
Minnesota Republican
Michele Bachmann's outspoken and sometimes controversial conservatism has drawn her an unusual amount of national attention for a second-term House member. But Bachmann's House office says don't expect her to rush into statewide politics -- even though the state's 2010 governor's race became wide-open Tuesday with Republican incumbent
Tim Pawlenty's announcement that he
would not seek a third term.
"I do not anticipate Congresswoman Bachmann will be running for Governor," spokeswoman Debbee Keller told CQ in an e-mail. "She is very happy representing the people of Minnesota's Sixth District in the U.S. Congress."
That statement does seem to leave some wiggle room, and, as University of Minnesota's Lawrence Jacobs noted, Bachmann "is someone who would do very well in terms of the party's endorsement process." The challenge for the congresswoman would be winning over enough moderates in the Democratic-leaning state in the general election.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, Democrats' prospects of a takeover would probably be hurt, not helped, should Bachmann opt not to defend her seat The 6th District, which is one of the most conservative in the Democratic-leaning state, was in play in 2008 largely because of her emergence as a political lightning rod. Bachmann's profile has only expanded since, with regular appearances on cable news shows.
Democrat Elwyn Tinklenberg is taking a second shot at the seat after losing by 3 percentage points in 2008. And another Democrat, Minnesota physician Maureen Reed, has also thrown her hat in the ring. Both are hoping to attract support from moderates and liberals turned off by Bachmann's political style.
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Comments
"Outspoken and sometimes controversial"?
More like demagoging conspiracy theories and political paranoia.
Dossier at link:
http://www.immelman.us/news/honors-for-michele-bachmann/
Posted by: Aubrey Immelman
| June 3, 2009 4:33 AM
She's the new Joe McCarthy.
Posted by: billp
| June 3, 2009 10:03 AM
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