When a story broke with former Bachmann aides discussing her migraines, Pawlenty initially hinted it could impact her performance (he later walked that back). His supporters expected it would immediately prompt deep questions about her ability to be president, but instead it was Pawlenty who faced enduring questions about whether his campaign had played a role in placing a storyline that many Bachmann backers thought had at least a faint whiff of sexism.

Ben wrote today that Bachmann’s rise hews somewhat to Barack Obama’s circa 2007. And indeed, just like Obama versus Hillary Clinton, the attacks seem to slide off Bachmann, and merely make her supporters more loyal.