Coming soon: Al Franken vs. Michele Bachmann?
In the same poll, Franken also topped Bachmann by a 54 percent to 40 percent margin in a hypothetical general election matchup — an early indication of the uphill climb the congresswoman would face in a statewide race.
Still, Bachmann would almost certainly be a strong contender to win a contested primary, and political opponents have underestimated her strengths in the past.
“I think if Bachmann decided to run, she’d be the favorite to win the nomination,” said Minnesota political analyst Larry Jacobs. “Whether she can win statewide is a bigger question and the question she will be thinking hard about.”
Despite her reputation as a conservative flame-thrower with a penchant for attention-grabbing gaffes, Bachmann is widely regarded among Minnesota political watchers as a savvy operator. And no one doubts that she could again raise enormous sums of money in a personality-driven general election battle that would draw tremendous attention outside the state.
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Does she have Tokyo Rove’s stamp of approval?
HondaV65 on February 8, 2013 at 9:51 PM
Uggh… no. Sorry, but Bachmann would not win a statewide race in MN. Not sure who can win against Franken in MN, but this is not the answer.
strictnein on February 8, 2013 at 9:58 PM
Does she have yours? Or might you want a less flashy Republican without the strobe lights who would maybe actually defeat Al Franken.
Marcus on February 8, 2013 at 10:05 PM
She’s a tool, but does the Minnesota GOP have anybody else?
Mark1971 on February 8, 2013 at 10:08 PM
Gardasil was her undoing.
John the Libertarian on February 8, 2013 at 10:08 PM
That race would be over before it began. Bachmann’s presidential run reduced her to barely-competitive status in her own district, for goodness’ sake.
Though I bet if she runs, she’ll be designated the “insurgent candidate” and any and all attempts to oppose her candidacy will be met with accusations of establishment payoffs and betraying conservatism.
KingGold on February 8, 2013 at 10:11 PM
She’ll suck a lot of money from fools in a losing cause that would best be spent on more competitive races.
Mark1971 on February 8, 2013 at 10:13 PM
MY GOD, is there any one strong and principled in MN ? I will never understand why so many on our side have such a hard-on for this broad (ie. Mark Levin).
But then again what does it matter, regardless who runs against Stuart Smalldick , he will end up steali– , er, winning anyway.
cableguy615 on February 8, 2013 at 10:20 PM
I love Michele, but I would not support her in the primary for senate. There are a few people on my list that I’d love to see run, and Jason Lewis is at the top of it, although I don’t think he’s interested. He’s got a great gig in radio right now. I’d be able to comfortably support Tim Pawlenty, Norm Coleman (if he wanted a rematch that I think he could win, although it would be epically messy), Tom Emmer. I’d even happily support my congressman, Erik Paulsen. I’ve corresponded with him several times, and he’s mostly had a voting record that I’m pleased with.
Whatever happens, we have to reverse the disaster that the Paulites caused when they practically hijacked the conventions and gave us Kurt Bills. Super nice guy, but did not have the political machine or know-how to run a half-way decent campaign against a very hard-to-beat senator (Klobuchar).
Othniel on February 9, 2013 at 12:27 AM
It’s not hard to understand at all. It’s that the people you’re talking about aren’t very smart.
alchemist19 on February 9, 2013 at 2:10 AM