The American Spectator

caitlin| 8.15.11 @ 8:56AM

Is it true that one has to pay a $30.00 fee to vote in the Straw? That, plus while it's certainly a precursor,
it's no more than a popularity contest. Bachman has a long way to go...

A. Doer| 8.15.11 @ 12:06PM

Bachmann paid for and gave out more than 6000 of those $30 tickets. Ron Paul gave out fewer tickets but nearly everyone he gave a ticket to ended up voting for him. Interestingly, over a thousand people apparently took a ticket that Bachmann paid for and used it to vote for someone else.

Be that as it may she bought her first place finish fair and square.

(No, Clint, the fact that Ron Paul bought nearly 5000 votes doesn't get you any closer to your dream of an Iran with nuclear warheads on missiles aimed at Israel.)

Jocon307| 8.15.11 @ 9:13AM

I don't think it is the liberals who are underestimating Bachmann, I think it is our own side.

Teflon93| 8.15.11 @ 10:36AM

Hear, hear--Ramesh Ponnuru at National Review claimed the Ames straw poll and Rick Perry's entry into the race made this a Romney-Perry race---huh? How about the woman who, you know, won?

What will they say if she wins the caucuses outright?

How about South Carolina?

The more wins she pulls out, the more we'll hear "...but she can't win in a general election." Romney can't win in a general election since his nomination would lead to a strong third party challenge to which I and many other conservatives would be drawn.

It's as though 2008 never happened with these people. The whole "only a RINO can win" nonsense was completely discredited then. It's time to run a rock-ribbed conservative like Bachmann now.

Not to mention running the first woman at the top of the ticket would switch the "historic election" dynamic to the GOP's favor.

A. Doer| 8.15.11 @ 12:19PM

If you think Bachmann has a chance at winning the general election can you explain how you think she picks up enough of the moderate/independent vote to do that? Not only does she poll very badly among moderates and independents, she would energize the progressive vote because, frankly, the prospect of a Bachmann presidency is some scary sh*t.

I think you're right that if Romney can't win it it's because the Tea Partiers will decide they'd rather have Obama than cast a vote for a Rino. If the Tea Partiers really wanted to defeat Obama they wouldn't run a third party against Romney, and Romney would win in a landslide. Unlike Bachmann Romney would have no trouble taking votes away from Obama among independents and moderates, and you can't win the election without that.

I disagree about 2008, though. McCain didn't lose because he's a Rino, he lost because he's a horrible candidate. Really, really cringingly horrible. The primary process is badly broken for both parties.

Teflon93| 8.15.11 @ 3:32PM

Sure can---she picks up moderates and independents because they a) want jobs and b) want to try a woman out as president given how badly men have recently done.

Now explain to me how Romney wins without conservatives. Remember, we sucked it up in 2008 and supported RINO McCain---we paid our dues and the RINO STILL lost.

Keep recycling that old chesnut "It takes a RINO to win". That was disproven utterly in 1980 and for the same reason it will be in 2012: Americans don't like left wing presidents who tank the economy.

Running a GOP candidate who agrees with Obama's economic policies---especially on the biggest budget buster of all in Obamacare---isn't going to do anything but reelect Obama.

Sorry, pal---it's the conservatives' "turn". Now hold your nose and vote for Bachmann like I held mine and voted for McCain.

Occam's Tool| 8.15.11 @ 10:12AM

Bachmann wins elections in Blue as Blue Minnesota. She's my grrrrrl! No McGovern, she.

Wayne | 8.15.11 @ 11:00AM

I think she is more like Margaret Thatcher.

J.C.Eaton| 8.15.11 @ 12:47PM

If you don't care for Ms. Bachmann, swell, don't vote for her. I do and will. She has more testosterone than most Rep. contenders and means what she says.She will take the fight to Obama and won't flinch from the opportunity. She's a class act and a dependable conservative. The fact that the libs hate her is an added plus. They always hate and fear what they can neither frighten nor understand.

Casey Abell| 8.15.11 @ 12:58PM

Let's look at the states that Barry won by single-digits in 2008: CO FL IN IA NH NC OH VA.

If the GOP candidate flips all of them and holds McCain's states, the GOP wins 279-259 (on old electoral vote totals, more on the new totals). It's that simple.

The issue is, could Michele flip all those states? IN, yeah I'd say so. VA and NC, maybe. FL, kind of a stretch. The others, um, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Of course, it's no lock that Bachmann could hold all of McCain's states. A close McCain win like MO could drift away from the polarizing Michele.

So I really don't see a general election win. Okay, she's no McGovern. But at this point Bachmann doesn't look like a winner, either.

somnolence| 8.15.11 @ 1:12PM

I've been to N.C. Bachmann will win it going away if she is the nominee, even in the Chapel Hill, Duke areas, believe me. She runs against Obama he is toast. She can outdebate him eye to eye, isn't afraid of "firing up his head." You underestimate her at your own peril. Florida will go to ANYBODY who is the nominee. I repeat: ANY BODY! There is at least 12-15% unemployment there. She looks like a clear electoral vote winner to me. The independent vote won't go to Obama no matter what; those who say it will are delusional.

Casey Abell| 8.15.11 @ 1:27PM

NC I can see (no rhyme intended) for Michele. But she ain't gonna carry Chapel Hill. Come on. Barry won it 72-28.

I think FL is much more problematic for Bachmann. Possible, not a lock. Obama leads her by 12 in the RCP average but doesn't crack 50%. Maybe. A stretch.

But even if she gets VA and NC and FL, she doesn't win unless she flips all of Barry's other single-digit states (really unlikely) and holds all of McCain's wins (at least questionable).

somnolence| 8.15.11 @ 2:06PM

Barry won Chapel Hill in 2008, remember. Things have changed just a little with employment prospects and tuition since then. The country is becoming a vast wasteland. I really don't see Barry winning ANY of those single digit states again. It is possible he won't win Washington and Oregon this time either.

Casey Abell| 8.15.11 @ 2:24PM

Nobody's flips 72-28. Might as well say Obama's gonna lose D.C.

I just don't see how Bachmann wins. In fact, I think Obama wins pretty easy against her, losing only IN, VA and NC (at most) and holding all his other states. And he could poach a few of McCain's close states, though he wouldn't have to.

Okay, she wouldn't lose 49 states. Agreed on that.

Teflon93| 8.15.11 @ 3:34PM

Obama isn't going to lose to the unscrupulous white guy who instituted socialized medicine in the Bay State. Sorry---isn't going to happen.

You need to get out more and understand just how despised Obama is.

somnolence| 8.15.11 @ 3:14PM

Obama will not win one single southern state, my friend, not one. Tell me just what agenda is he going to win on against Bachmann. You are hilarious.

Teflon93| 8.15.11 @ 3:36PM

Absolutely---I'm in a state that flipped to Obama the first time around. It will never happen again. You have to hear the anger toward and ridicule of him in the South---it will be a solid sea of red in 2012.

Unless we run a RINO, then you're going to see third party guaranteed. People are too angry at the decline of this nation under Obama and will not tolerate another Tammy Faye Boehner moment.

Casey Abell| 8.16.11 @ 9:01AM

"Obama will not win one single southern state, my friend, not one. Tell me just what agenda is he going to win on against Bachmann. You are hilarious."

You think Bachmann is going to flip a 72-28 Obama win in Chapel Hill...and I'm hilarious? Yeah, right.

It's possible Bachmann could flip FL but she's well behind Obama now in the state. Otherwise, I tend to agree that Obama won't win any other southern states. But that still doesn't put Bachmann over the top. She would also have to flip all the other single-digit states and hold all of McCain's wins.

And I don't think she can do it. If that makes me ridiculous, so be it.