If you thought you were seeing Rep. Michele Bachmann every time you turned on the television, it's because you probably were.
The Smart Politics blog, from the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota, has an illuminating analysis of the 6th District congresswoman's surging national media exposure.
The study, which examined media transcripts from the day Bachmann took office in 2007, found that the Minnesota Republican, who has a penchant for making controversial statements, has made 22 appearances on national cable news programs so far this year, matching her total number of appearances for all of 2008. "Representative Bachmann has thus substantially increased her national profile from averaging one national cable television news interview every 16.6 days in 2008 to one appearance every 9.1 days thus far in 2009," wrote Eric Ostermeier, the center's research associate.
The analysis also found that "all but one of her 44 appearances have occurred within the last 12 months."
And as Bachmann has become more of a conservative lightning rod, her media appearances have come more often on Fox News and less frequently elsewhere.
In addition to making the round on television, Bachmann has also been popping up as a featured speaker for conservative causes and advocacy groups. In the last week alone, she addressed the 2009 Inaugural Freedom Conference hosted by the Steamboat Institute, a new conservative grassroots advocacy group, and participated in a "teletownhall" conference call hosted by the Susan B. Anthony List, which provides support to women who oppose abortion and are involved in politics.
Bachmann's expanding public profile could cut both ways in what is expected to be a fierce re-election battle in 2010. It helps build her network and name identification among conservative activists and donors, but it is also likely to rally opposition from liberals who can funnel support to her challengers, state Sen. Tarryl Clark and physician Maureen Reed.
Bachmann's frequent media spots have already become a point of attack for Clark, who in her campaign announcement declared: "It's time to deliver more than a sound bite. Representative Bachmann's biggest accomplishments are creating controversy instead of creating good jobs, and working the talk show circuit instead of helping working families."
CQ Politics rates the general election contest Leans Republican.
To see how all the 2010 House races are shaping up, check out the CQ Politics election map.
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Comments
It's been said in Washington that one of the most dangerous places to be is to get between Chucky Schumer and a TV camera. Looks like we'll have to add Bachmann to that as well.
Posted by: NObama
| August 20, 2009 4:59 PM
I would like to see a breakdown of where she appeared, on which networks. I have a bet that it's better than 90% on FOX.
Posted by: capemh
| August 21, 2009 2:01 PM
Only 15 out of 22 on Fox this year, only 69%. I lose.
Although, in my defense, CNBC has the reputation for accuracy equivalent to FOX's, so that would get me to 87% (19/22).
Posted by: capemh
| August 21, 2009 2:12 PM
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