ABC News says that perhaps those talking about the 2012 speculation surrounding Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) need to think bigger than a potential U.S. Senate race with incumbent Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).
ABC News has learned that Bachmann, R-Minn., also is seriously weighing whether to seek the Republican nomination for president in 2012.
A source close to the three-term congresswoman said Bachmann will travel to Iowa this month for multiple meetings to seek advice from political forces there and party elders close to the caucus process before coming to a final decision regarding a potential presidential run. Bachmann, a native of Waterloo, Iowa, also is set to deliver a keynote speech at an Iowans for Tax Relief PAC fundraiser Jan. 21 in Des Moines, Iowa.
Interesting… I’m not going to put much stock into an unnamed source. She is definitely coming to speak at the Iowans for Tax Relief fundraiser but beyond that who knows? Who will be in the field of potential candidates will be is ultimately anybody’s guess at this point.
I’m confident that the now former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is in. I am also pretty confident that Rick Santorum is running. Herman Cain has said as much. Then there are lesser known candidates such as GOP gay activist Fred Karger who already has an exploratory committee, as well as, Harold Heard (heard of him? I hadn’t either until his campaign Twitter account started following me).
Beyond that I strongly anticipate that Senator John Thune (R-ND), Former Speaker Newt Gingrich, Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson and Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX).
Wildcards: I used to believe that former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee was a sure bet, but after talking with some people close to his campaign in 2008, I’m not so sure. For you Huckabee fans, this is not a prediction. Then there is Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour who hasn’t really indicated or talked much at all about the race, but some have anticipated he would run.
I’m pretty confident that Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Texas Governor Rick Perry, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will not run. I think it is more likely that Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN) will be running for Governor in Indiana.
I guess we’ll have to see who shows up at the first Presidential forum in March, though I have no ideal who the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition invited to their March 7th event. I would guess Fred Karger wasn’t invited.
Your thoughts?