Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) did pretty well for herself in 2010. A prominent conservative figure who routinely appears on national television, she founded the tea party caucus, and was recently given a seat on the House Intelligence Committee. But after cruising to reelection victory in Minnesota, is she already setting her eyes on a 2012 senate run?
Bachmann’s spokesman Doug Sachtleben told The Hill in a statement that “nothing’s off the table for the future.” Sachtleben declined to comment further to TPM.
Obviously, Bachmann’s not running yet. But if she did — how would she stack up next to first-term Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar?
Bachmann raised $13.2 million during her House campaign, compared to Klobuchar’s $9 million Senate fundraising in 2006. And Bachmann has about $2 million in campaign funding left, whereas Klobuchar has about $1.4 million.
A PPP poll found that 36 percent of Republican voters want Bachmann to run for Senate — compared to 20 percent for outgoing Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) and 14 percent for former Sen. Norm Coleman. But PPP also puts Klobuchar cozily ahead of Bachmann, 56-39. For a little context, the poll also puts Klobuchar leading Pawlenty 53-43 and Coleman 54-40.
What’s more, Klobuchar enjoys 60 percent approval in Minnesota, according to the TPM Poll Average.
h/t The Hill
David Taintor
David Taintor is TPM’s News Editor. He contributes to TPM’s Livewire coverage, among other areas. David is from Chanhassen, Minnesota, where, yes, it gets very cold. Reach him at taintor [at] talkingpointsmemo.com
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