BACKGROUND
A native of Waterloo, Iowa, Michele Bachmann is a representative of Minnesota’s Sixth District, which she has served since 2007. She is a former Minnesota State Senator and federal tax litigation attorney. Bachmann, 55, is married with five children, and is a graduate of Winona State University, Oral Roberts University, and William & Mary Law School.
POLL NUMBERS AND MONEY
Bachmann was one of the top contenders early in the race, generating significant buzz with voters after she announced her candidacy. Current polling, however, shows that Bachmann’s support has shrunk significantly. The most recent Des Moines Register polls show her trailing in 6th place in Iowa. The story is the same in other early primary states where she is polling consistently in the single digits. She is currently in 5th with 3.8% support in New Hampshire, the next Republican primary battleground. Despite her poor poll numbers, Bachmann has still managed to raise approximately $12 million.
MAJOR POLICY STANCES
Bachmann policy positions are closely aligned with most of her fellow candidates. She is perhaps most notable for her opposition to raising the debt ceiling. She is interested in cutting taxes and spending in order to improve the economy. Like many of the Republican candidates, she wants to downsize the federal government. This includes eliminating the Department of Education (though she has expressed that she would like to see the teaching of creationism alongside evolution in schools) and reducing the regulatory powers of the EPA. She has vocally opposed Obama’s healthcare plan, and has stated that repealing the law would be one of her top priorities in office. She is also a strong social conservative, and is against abortion even cases of rape of incest. She has openly supported a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman. Her foreign policy positions, however, are less specific. In general, she does not support Obama’s handling of US involvement in the Middle East. She believes that the United States should stay in Afghanistan until the war is won, and she has argued that Iraq should reimburse America for the cost of the Iraq War.
STRENGTHS
One of Bachmann’s greatest assets is her personal history which has allowed her to connect with voters and the influential Tea Party component of the Republican Party. Her experience raising five children and being a foster parent to 23 more has been a frequent talking point during her campaign. Additionally, her experience as an IRS tax attorney in the 1990s and membership in the House Intelligence Committee are some of her more significant credentials.
CHALLENGES
Bachmann has little governing experience, and as her performance at the debates has shown a particular problem is her lack of foreign policy experience. Throughout the campaign she has displayed a tendency to make controversial statements, such as far-right stances on social issues, which could discourage many moderate Republicans from supporting her. Additionally, Bachmann does face particular challenges as a female candidate, as evidenced by the often trivial portrayal she receives in the media.
PROSPECTS
Bachmann has claimed that she will continue her campaign beyond Iowa, though her chances for the nomination are slim based on polling results. Bachmann expects to perform better than expected in Iowa as a consequence of her 99-county tour, but there is no polling evidence that the race is trending her way. Bachmann will likely have difficulties in moderate New Hampshire, though conservative South Carolina is friendlier territory for her. It is hard to see a path forward for her if she does not do well in Iowa.