MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann swept aside doubts about her political future Wednesday, declaring less than a month after ending her presidential bid that she will seek a fourth term in Congress.
Bachmann’s decision ended speculation she might be ready to move on from the House, perhaps leveraging her popularity among some conservatives into a career in talk media. Despite her high profile, Bachmann has been only a marginal player in Congress.
“I’m looking forward to coming back and bringing a strong, powerful voice to Washington, D.C.,” Bachmann said in an interview with The Associated Press. She said a formal announcement would come later.
Unless redistricting radically changes Minnesota’s Republican-leaning 6th District, Bachmann figures to be a heavy favorite. Other Republican hopefuls had stood aside awaiting her decision. No Democrats have yet declared for the race.
Bachmann is a potent fundraiser who brought in $13.5 million in her last House race, but she likely would start from scratch after the presidential campaign. A campaign finance report that would show how much money she can bring to the race isn’t due until the end of the month.
Ken Martin, chairman of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer Labor Party, said Bachmann’s announcement wasn’t a surprise. He said Democrats would attack Bachmann for being absent from the district and for missing votes in Washington during months chasing the presidential nomination.
“Anyone who thinks that they’re unbeatable is fooling themselves, and particularly once you hand us these issues on a silver platter,” Martin said.
Comments (26)
Add commentI think we need new blood in
I think we need new blood in Washington, all the ones we have now are crooks, we need term limits already.
This Announcement Comes as No Surprise......
What would she do if she lost her stage. At least Michelle Tafoyas WCCO radio gig draws to a close after 4 years on Friday. Im thankful for small things these days.
Michele's future
Reality: "Despite her high profile, Bachmann has been only a marginal player in Congress."
Fantasy: “I’m looking forward to coming back and bringing a strong, powerful voice to Washington D.C."
As usual
the main stream media cannot resist editorializing in a news story - "Despite her high profile, Bachmann has been only a marginal player in Congress". If this appeared on the editorial page it would be fine to take a shot like this, but in what appears to be a news story, keep your opinion to yourself and just report the facts. When the AP tag is on the article we have come to expect the cheap shots though.
Redistricting due in Feb 2012 - Fun!
Kinda fun to see how the 6th morphs - Bachmann Fantasy Island...
DFL challenger ?
What happened to the DFL challenger to Bachmann in the last election? Rumor was she was going to buy a condo in Duluth to challenge Chip? If it is true, I wonder what it cost the DFL for relocation expense?
DFL Challenger in the 8th?
I though Rick Nolan was running for the DFL endorsement in the 8th.
Tarryl Clark did move, at her own expense
and I think she will regret doing that. Poor decision.
Yes, Rick Nolan is running. Also a city councilman from Duluth is still in the race, all eager to replace our one-term Congressman who now lives in New Hampshire. Yeh, he moved for his wife's work (really, a promotion so soon after her husband gets elected? hmm) and yet in another breath he said she 'works from home.'
Yeh, that was a necessary move. Not.
dint the old one
always live out east since college? i heard he never owned a home here. why you hiden this?
Bachmann
methinks the writers for SNL, Letterman, and the Daily Show are breathing a sigh of relief. The gold mine hasn't been exhausted yet .
Actually Mr. Cravaak still maintains his
home here in Minnesota and commutes to their home in New Hampshire. As I understand it that if redistricting happens the way it is projected Mr. Cravaack's home might be in the 6th District. Of course the fight over redistricting will inevitably end up it court since no one will be able to come to agreement on it.
llr:
and the redistricting will not be done by this election, will it?
Doesn't any US Rep want to represent us and live among us? We deserve better!
the same thing he criticized Oberstar for
not being in the state enough...hypocrite.
One term Congressman.
Redistricting Rosenmeier Forum Wed. night at CLC
The legislative bodies cannot agree (surprise!?) so judges will decide. Date of release Feb. 22nd. There are several proposed plans out there. I found them on line.
Kudos to the Rosenmeier Forum for presenting such timely topics. Most people sit at home and watch American Idol it appears.
Lakelander and Snowda
I agree, I would rather have a representative of either party that actually lives in the district that what we have had the past many years.
Concensus
LLR - Cravaack has his staff do town hall meetings and then there are those town hall phone calls where you just have to listen to him, no input opportunities.
I'm voting for Rick Nolan, who actually lives here and who we can see and talk to. He understands government from his past experience and will be able to hit the ground running. He understands business as well as community needs.
Attend caucus and vote for Rick Nolan in the straw poll !
Bachmann is Nuts
I don’t think we have to worry about Bachmann representing MN anymore. She became big joke in the Republican race once she had a platform to speak and people listened. Now, I hold faith the 4th district will knock her out but if not I think the redistricting should take care of her.
Whoever runs against her wont even need to run ads, just show up to debates and say "its me or her". Or every time a question is asked of this future candidate they can just give a previous Bachmann quote as an answer.
Bachmann on the intelligence committee, if that’s not ironic!
Cravaaaaaak is not near the idiot Bachmann is but its close. Hes an entitlement hungry chump that fooled many people, glad to see at least a few have come to there senses.
Late medals
I went to MANY different people over the last 40 years, trying to get help from SOMEONE to get the medals I had earned while in the Navy. All to no avail. I had one last hope. Yes, Chip Cravaack. Within a few months, I had both medals I had earned. I am happy I voted for this man, and yes, I WILL vote for him again.
It seems funny, the Navy knew I had earned them, but refused to release them to anyone else, INCLUDING me.
I really find the bitterness towards Ms Bachmann and Ms Palin
offensive and childish. It really shows the mentality of those spewing hatred on them, and proves my point that just because you have a keyboard doesn't mean you have intellect or manners.
karma, cubes
Don't get your "panties in a wad" defending Palin. And Michele can dish it out, so she can expect it in return.
Cable Catnip
Both Palin and Bachmann have been referred to as "Cable Catnip" ........ they've each had more than their 15 minutes of fame.......time to move on.
Yep, like I said
possession of a keyboard is not equal to intellect or manners or social skills
Snowda,
I know Rick Nolan and have had dealings with him in the past, he is a very capable gentleman. My fears are not of Minnesota DFL'ers, as with most midwest democrats they are somewhat conservative, but it seems that as soon as they get to Washington they become East/West coast liberals!!
Rick Nolan is a joke
Facing a tough re-election, Nolan chose to quit Congress in1980. He has done very little since, except in 2007 when he endorsed Connecticut U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd's campaign for President of the United States, who received less than 1% of the vote in Iowa. Nolan currently trails rival Tarryl Clark substantially in fund raising for this race. Although I did enjoy this headline:
Carpetbagger Clark shows crass political opportunism
Buys Duluth condo just to seek 8th District seat; an insult in many ways
Personally I see the vote between Clark, Anderson, and Nolan going against each other with Mr. Cravaack winning!
The Minnesota Constitution Route - While you can...
Looking more like the GOP is not going to fair well this fall in 2012 elections. So, do things while the getting is good while in the majority (Social Conservative Agenda, which would not do anything primarily with Job Creation)...
1. Marriage Amendment (to inject discrimination)
2. Photo Id - To make sure the GOP gets more votes - From what I understand, the Minnesota Drivers License does count and an awful lot of young folks have this, and in general, young folks aren't really into the GOP agenda - Could be a toss up...
3. Right to Work - This one is the closest to possibly a jobs item
Even Zellers is very nervous of the Constitution Route Precedent being set. Could come around and bit ya after the 2012 elections.
1. Tax the Wealthy for example - Equal rate to ordinary working folks
2010 elections...Folks are now beginning to wake up from that adventure.
there will be a DFL endorsement
and Minnesotan's will get behind the endorsed candidate to defeat Cravaack. All three candidates (Nolan, Clark and Anderson) will not be running and splitting the vote.
Sorry to rain on your parade. Say bye bye to Chipper.
Term Limits
We need term limits for all of Congress. The same term as the President. Two terms or a max of ten years. We would need a constitutional amendment putting Representatives and Senators at four year terms with the above limits.