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
