In case you missed it last night:
U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann, a Minnesota Republican known for her uncompromising views and firebrand style, said she plans to run for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.
“I filed my paperwork to seek the office of the presidency today,” Bachmann, 55, a favorite of Tea Party and anti-abortion activists, said yesterday during a Republican presidential debate sponsored by CNN.
Her filing with the Federal Election Commission allows Bachmann to begin fundraising and other organizational efforts for a presidential bid. Bachmann said she would “very soon” formally announce her candidacy.
I refuse to underestimate her chances of winning the GOP nomination, but if she craters out, will she still run for re-election to her current post? Bachmann says she won't run for the House while she's running for the presidency, but Minnesota's unusual nominating convention system might cause some problems for her. MN's convention process starts around the same time as the presidential primaries get underway, so if she survives the early gauntlet but fades after the first few rounds, she might have to force an unusual congressional primary in her home district to stay in the House. She could also see her seat eviscerated in redistricting before she has the chance to make up her mind, so if we're really lucky, we'll be done with Michele Bachmann once and for all come next year.