One, there’s clear evidence she’s running (hiring Ed Rollins, participating at the debate). Two, she’s going to able to raise money, lots of it (take a look at what she raised last cycle). Three, she will stand out at the debates. Four, she’s going to be the only female in the field (if Palin doesn’t run). And five, and most importantly, she has the ability to win over the sizeable number of Republicans who were cheering on Donald Trump (for a while) and who are listening to Herman Cain (right now). This segment of the GOP wants a candidate who will carry the Tea Party banner, who talks strongly about his/her religious faith, and who will take the fight to President Obama…

In this respect, Bachmann has the POTENTIAL to be this cycle’s female version of Mike Huckabee — and she can do something Huck never could do: raise lots of money. An instant player in Iowa and South Carolina? Check. A key attraction at the debates? Check. Will take the fight to Obama, as well as Romney, Huntsman, and Pawlenty? Check. Of course, this doesn’t mean she WILL catch fire come next year. But if we’re thinking about candidates who could be the lone alternative still standing against Mitt Romney after Feb. 2012, Bachmann has to be on the list.