But despite – or perhaps because of – what they have in common, there are signs of tensions between the camps. And the iron-clad laws of politics suggest there isn’t enough room for the two powerful personalities to occupy the same political space in 2012…

Palin “doesn’t seem like a credible candidate,” said Iowa state Senator Kent Sorenson, who will reportedly serve as Bachmann’s political director in the state. He said he thought Bachmann would beat Palin there head-to-head if need be. “She has not made any inroads at all to people in Iowa.”

Bachmann strategist Guy Short told POLITICO Thursday: “I haven’t put any thought into what Mrs. Palin’s doing.”…

“Every time Bachmann gets some press, Palin will get herself out there a little more,” said one well-placed observer. “There’s a little jockeying going on.”