« BACK  |  PRINT

RS

EDITOR OF REDSTATE

Big News From Camp Bachmann

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  June 6th, 2011 at 03:10 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

Michele Bachmann is bring Ed Rollins on board to run her Presidential campaign.

This is big and significant news.

Rollins was Ronald Reagan’s campaign manager in 1984, a fact downplayed by a lot of people who think Reagan’s landslide in 1984 had nothing to do with Rollins.

Whether you are impressed by that or not, pay attention to the next one: Rollins took Mike Huckabee’s 2008 upstart campaign into overdrive and gave Romney, McCain, and the rest a run for their money.

I’m already hearing from people on the ground in Iowa that Bachmann has the potentially to make huge waves there. Given what Huck did in 2008 and Rollins’ knowledge of the lay of the land, it could turn Michele Bachmann into a serious contender for evangelicals and transition her from just being seen as a tea party candidate.

Oh, and full disclosure from me: Ed Rollins and I have frequently sat next to each other on CNN and I like him tremendously, though among my conservative friends there are frequently days when I think I might be the only one who does. Heh.

Tags: , ,

COMMENTS

POSTING RULES  |  LOGIN TO COMMENT  |  REGISTER TODAY
  • http://theminorityreportblog.com Repair_Man_Jack

    Having the right person coordinating our efforts pays off big in caucuses. There is a man in the Iowa Democratic Party named Michael Whouley who is a renowned fixer. Al Gore used him in 2000, and he was good for some very interesting/controversial tactics.

  • acat

    Just as the number of RINOs in the race looks to be dropping, the number of viable Conservatives is, instead, going up.

    Nothing against Bachmann or Cain or Pawlenty but .. if conservatives aren’t relatively aligned behind one candidate going into Iowa, and squishies *are* relatively aligned behind one going into New Hampshire, the squishies win.

    Mew

  • jaykali

    I would like to dismiss her but who knows. It is a completely open field. I think the front runners will be decided by South Carolina. It will be interesting to see if one of the evangelical-strong types like Bachman can emerge if or they split the vote and Romney makes headway in those early states. My feeling is that Romney will do well early but be very susceptible to an insurgent as the thing drags on bc people will be looking for someone else to vote for.

  • Mr_Ed

    …didn’t Rollins join the 2008 Huck campaign AFTER Huck took the Iowa straw polls?

  • Mr_Ed

    …didn’t Rollins join the 2008 Huck campaign AFTER Huck took the Iowa straw polls?

  • Mr_Ed
  • Mr_Ed
  • earlgrey

    have their own ambition, but do we really see Bachmann beating Obama in the general election?

  • http://www.gmsplace.com/ civil truth

    We’re still in the first round of the primary pageant, where the contestants are going out onto the stage to strut their stuff, as the last minute entrants join the line.

    There’s no way that all of them can make a credible run, as the competition gets started seriously, the judges are going to start eliminating candidates.

    Come early fall, we’ll have a better indication as to where the race is going, at which point your concerns about splitting the conservative electorate may prove well grounded.

    Such did happen in 2008, but that was largely due to the weaknesses and poor strategy of the various contenders that left the path open to McCain rising from his early wounds after the others had knocked each other out in sequence.

    But at this point, it’s good that we have so many to exhibit (so long as things don’t turn into a circus) – hopefully we put stakes through the hearts of the few zombies so that they won’t return again, and others will better position themselves for other electoral office down the line.

    Especially considering the alternative of no viable conservatives to run against the establishment favorite(s).

    We have a stronger set of candidates for 2012, but they’re also against stronger opposition. Having a larger field will mean that the survivor will be a fighter, which is what we’ll need for the general election. McCain-type “collegiality” will cost us the election badly.

    So come one, come all, step right up – there’s still room for more.

  • gekster

    After the convention we should (means maybe and might) have a strong candidate.
    We will look good as long as no one pulls a Murkowski.

  • azaeroprof

    She is quietly building up a ‘boots-on-the-ground’ movement in Iowa and other key early states. While the media, including Fox, is building up a Palin vs Bachmann rivalry, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Palin weren’t sucking up the attention to help someone like Bachmann continue to soar under the radar. Bachmann has many of the same features as Palin, but will be harder for the media to caricature and pillory. Plus, I think there are a lot of independent women who have been content to watch the Palin misogyny since she is just 1 ‘stupid’ woman. But the libs/media going after another in a similar manner could be ‘one female too far’.

    Rollins is a brilliant strategist who could be the ‘bridge to the establishment’ that could legitimize Bachmann’s campaign and make her a force to be reckoned with.

  • t28j

    …that Michele Bachmann is a moron that is a disgrace to the conservative party. Can we please get some intellectuals?

  • Whacker77

    It’s been a long while since I last posted, but that’s because I lost my password and didn’t decide to do something about it until the last week or so.

    Certainly, nabbing Rollins is a coup for Bachmann and she could do quite well in Iowa. A win would cripple Pawlenty, but also put Romney in the driver’s seat. Many would fear Bachmann’s negative general election prospects and then go for Mitt.

    If Iowa, two cycles in a row, votes for a candidate who has little shot nationally, they could could end up ruining their prize status. In other words, why go there if only the purity candidate or evangelical can win?

    Just my view.

  • victrola

    and I’m not happy about it.

    With all of these niche conservative players competing, the early results will become meaningless and Mitt walks off easily with the nomination.

    Personally, I feel the only viable conservative that’s running that can actually win a national election is Pawlenty, but if the conservative vote is split 18 different ways, Mitt Romney will have the money and organization to easily overwhelm. Conservatives either need to unite behind a single candidate or it’s going to be a “center-right” nominee like Romney.

    The silver lining to Bachmann going all in is Sarah Palin is now completely shut out, she has no viable path to the nomination and won’t enter the contest. Had Palin thrown her hat in the ring I think the GOP primary would have been a bloodbath.

    I personally don’t think Bachmann can win a nationwide election, but I respect her and would rate her chances MUCH higher than Sarah Palin’s.

  • gekster

    no one is shut out. We still have months before the first primary.
    And the more, the merryier.
    When you go to the store, is it better to have a large selection to pick from, or a small selection.
    The weak candidates will get weened out.
    As for Mitt, he’s going to have enough troble with Romneycare, let alone his new stances on ethanol subsidies and man made global warming.

  • http://www.incredibleco.ning.com Incredible
  • http://www.incredibleco.ning.com Incredible
  • YnotNOW

    Gingrich is always touted as deeply intellectual, but that didn’t stop him from immediately putting his foot in his mouth right after announcing his candidacy.

    Bachmann may not be the best candidate, but her political instincts are good and her policy positions are excellent. Don’t fall for the tripe that she is not intelligent – that is how the liberals smear anyone that doesn’t believe their conventional wisdom.

    Note: I am not a Bachmann fan, and would prefer others, but there are certainly worse, and she would bring an enthusiasm to the R ticket.

  • YnotNOW

    Gingrich is always touted as deeply intellectual, but that didn’t stop him from immediately putting his foot in his mouth right after announcing his candidacy.

    Bachmann may not be the best candidate, but her political instincts are good and her policy positions are excellent. Don’t fall for the tripe that she is not intelligent – that is how the liberals smear anyone that doesn’t believe their conventional wisdom.

    Note: I am not a Bachmann fan, and would prefer others, but there are certainly worse, and she would bring an enthusiasm to the R ticket.

  • gekster

    How is Michele a moron, and how is she a disgrace to the conservative party.
    Most here have been talking her up.
    If you have some thing, let us know.

  • victrola

    So the “store” analogy with variety being a good things isn’t really applicable. Support for one candidate means support for another has to be taken away. If we had some sort of instant run off elections, it would be much different. I just see more non-viable conservative candidates diluting what could be a single credible contender that could carry the conservative banner into a general election.

    I would love to have “more selection” from candidates I thought could actually beat Obama (like Rick Perry, Chris Christie, Bob McDonnell, etc.) but right now I just see a lot of bit players that play well to the base.

    If Iowa ends up with strong finishes for candidates like Herman Cain and Michelle Bachmann and some of the other niche candidates like Santorum, I would be willing to bet my life savings that Romney easily captures the nomination. (assuming no other big names enter) It also makes it a lot more likely that Romney himself wins Iowa with the vote so split up, in which case the primary is over.

  • Goldwater_Conservative

    including fostering 23 kids, plus her own, while being a US Tax Attorney. I dont like the way she comes on doing interviews but you cant look at her bio and say she is a moron.

  • johnthebaptistmoore

    …for Concord, Massachusetts, while she was in N.H., and she will, officially, start her campaign in Waterloo, Iowa. Does she even know about Waterloo and Napoleon? I know that she was born in Waterloo, Iowa, but she shouldn’t begin her campaign for ’12 President from there! IMHO, not a good start for Michele.

  • pantera

    Michelle is a true conservative….isn’t that what RS is crying for?
    oh, some don’t like the package the ”gift” comes in so why even open it to see what’s inside.

    I’d vote for her over all the announced candidates come super Tuesday…

    BTW…Ralph Reed will run the winners campaign.
    He’s always up for a good bus trip too.

  • cpaguy

    I like her. Just don’t see any presidential qualities in her.

    She would certainly be multitudes better than Obama.

    Like others here, I think the big risk is that Bachmann splits the conservative vote 3 ways (Bachmann, Cann, & Pawlenty) just so she can get a little fame, and we end up with Romney (I’m not going to support him, even in the general election….I trust that a GOP lead Senate would do better with Obama).

    I think with Romney, Cain, and Pawlenty slugging it out, the GOP is going to get a good candidate. Bachmann adds nothing to the mix.

    However, I do think there is a good chance that Romney is neutralized early. I think he is going to get murdered by Pawlenty, Cain, and Paul in the debates. That high name ID will (hopefully) be the death of him….once everybody knows his record.

  • http://www.tooncesthecat.wordpress.com tooncesthecat

    Just so I’ll not mistakenly vote for a false conservative like Newt, Mitt or Jon, could you tell me who else besides Bachmann are the “true” conservatives? And what should I do in the general election if one of these false conservatives gets the nomination?

  • acat

    is someone who is pro-family, pro-business, and pro-armed-services. Ronald Reagan’s three-legged stool, in short.

    They’re all interrelated and tend to show up in a candidate who is for lower taxes, less regulation, strong border enforcement, anti-abortion, etc. etc.

    The guideline statement is to vote for the most conservative candidate – again, see above – in the primary, and for the Republican in the general.

    Where we usually have problems are with folks who have a .. strong desire .. for one or another of the “legs of the stool”, at the expense of other legs.

    Santorum, for instance, certainly appears pro-family, but .. have you seen anything from him that leads you to believe he wants to reduce red tape?

    Johnson, for another instance, is very much a reduction in government interference candidate .. but is not pro-family or pro-armed-services.

    Romney, for that matter, claims to be pro-business .. but his waffly nature makes his pro-family and red-tape-reducing cred pretty thin…

    Mew

  • Tavern Keeper

    Crazy . . . off the wall comment.

    Conservative leader who has that all-desired “cross-over” appeal. Yes, Fred2008 was a cluster. But with the current field, and if Christie won’t jump in (he WON’T), and Perry is wavering (he’d be my preference) how do we feel about about a second run for Fred?

    (yes, failed botched first attempt . . . old guy candidate . . . it HAS worked before)

  • acat

    because Romney is damaged goods – he lost in 2008, and Romneycare – his only real hope is to take New Hampshire, to show people will still support him.

    Other candidates are putting in time there instead of Iowa – if any of them Huntsman, Giuliani (also damaged by a dismal 2008 run) and Santorum, specifically – catch enough fire there, Mitt’s toast.

    Unfortunately, I do agree with your premise regarding the future of Iowa. If they keep nominating losers, I can see South Carolina and maybe Wyoming and Michigan moving up in importance.

    Mew

  • http://www.redstate.com/jcrestonm jcrestonm

    Although I love Fred, He just doesn’t have the dynamics of a winning candidate. He would not be my first choice.

  • http://www.redstate.com/jcrestonm jcrestonm

    I believe that if Bachmann wins in Iowa, whoever wins in New Hampshire will most likely win the nomination. Bachmann has little chance in Florida or Michigan (a decent chance in SC though).

    But who knows, maybe Huntsman, Rudy G, and Romney can split the RINO vote.

  • t28j

    Being a tax attorney prevents her from composing moronic statements and delivering them on television? I’m sure you may know some people that are smart as a whip in some trades or skills, but fail to grasp simple computer techniques. You only need to visit YouTube and type in “Bachmann.” CO2 anyone?

    Now that you’ve done that, conduct a google search on “Bachmann factcheck” and you’ll see how misleading and careless she’s been on camera or in front of a crowd. Sure you can say that every politician has their issues (and believe me, I agree), but what I’m saying is that I’m not okay with just the best of the worst. I certainly can say she’s a moron when she presents herself as one via the only medium that I can follow her on.

  • Goldwater_Conservative

    I would agree with you that she comes off poorly in interviews. She, like Palin, suffer from this new era of talking point politics. They seem to only function within those points and when the topic gets too far from that relm they freeze up and become completly disconnected. So yes, even though I like her, until she can change her style in that sense she wont end up connecting with enough voters to win.

  • zooboy

    Or Whichever is 2012′s first large winner-take-all-delegates state.
    ***That’s where we allowed McCain to steal the nomination. ***
    After an 11th-hour endorsement by then-Governor Charlie Crist, the Rinos went lopsidedly for McCain over Guiliani, while conservatives were roughly evenly split between Huck and Romney ( the 2 most conservative candidates still with a shot at the nomination by that time).
    The nomination was decided effectively right then and there.
    With about 30% of the vote, McCain’s plurality was rewarded with ALL of Florida’s delegates.
    The hell of it: Huck and Rom combined votes were more than Guiliani and McCain combined, ***but our votes were split more evenly than theirs were. ***
    Romney withdrew soon after and endorsed McCain (showing his true colors IMHO). All the Super Tuesday state primaries that followed were basically a waste of time. In the Texas primary, my vote for Huck only really counted as a protest vote.

  • Vegas_Rick

    in this thread. Sarah Palin is a drooling moron because she botched a history question. Yet, Michelle, who I like alot, butchers her history a few weeks ago, gets a pass. Seems fair.

  • lakesuperiorguy

    I hope Bachmann raises a ton of money, doesn’t spend very much of it in the presidential primary, saves it and then gives it to other conservative candidates for Congress. I don’t think she’s presidential material, but she is very, very effective doing what she does best…raising money and driving liberals crazy.

    I’m a Herman Cain fan, but would gladly take Tim Pawlenty as the nominee. He was a very good governor up here in Minnesota. I’m not crazy about some of the stances he took previously, but I can live with a couple of boneheaded ones as long as he does to the federal government what he did to the MN state government.

  • gekster

    Must be they hate people from above the 49th parallel.
    Go figure.

  • victrola

    Nixon, Reagan, Bush, Dole, McCain, etc. The fact that Romney lost last time around actually means it’s much more likely he’ll win this time.

    I agree RomneyCare is a big black mark (even though conservatives didn’t make a peep about it in 2008, and even Jim DeMint and National Review endorsed him) but look at our last nominee, McCain. There was NO ONE more hated by the base, yet he was our nominee and I would argue the Kennedy/McCain amnesty bill he pushed was also an issue that riled the base nationwide, much more so than RomneyCare.

    I’m not pulling for Romney, I would prefer Pawlenty, but I could easily see Romney overcoming his biggest shortcoming by simply assuring the base he would sign a repeal of ObamaCare as President, at the end of the day, that’s what the concern is over. And all the candidates have black marks (Pawlenty endorsed cap and trade for example) but the average GOP primary voter will see a crowded conservative field saying all the same things with imperfect records that look like long shots and Romney who looks and sounds like a top tier contender that can knock off Obama.

    I would prefer it to be a contest of Pawlenty vs Romney, but I rarely get my way when it comes to Presidential primaries.

  • Adjoran

    was nothing to be proud of.

    Dirty, rumor-spreading politics was the trademark, and it only earned Huck a “2nd place” because he refused to drop out after McCain locked up the nomination.

  • http://theheartlander.wordpress.com/ heartlander

    We need someone whose voice doesn’t drive people crazy!!

    The GOP needs to DRAFT PAUL RYAN.
    He has more grace under fire than anyone I’ve seen. It is impossible to flummox him. He explains complicated things in ways that everyone can understand, he has an exceptionally sunny/positive disposition, has a great sense of humor, is definitely the smartest guy in the room, and arguably the most likable, too. His combination of intelligence and sheer goodness, of practicality and sincere concern for people, of brains and charm and chutzpah — is very, very, VERY rare. We need look no further for the second coming of Ronald Reagan.

  • davesinsanantonio

    finishers in Iowa are all solidly conservative, it will give the top squish only 4th place at best–not a good look for heading into New Hampshire or South Carolina. And all the other RINOs would be even farther down the list of also-rans. So, instead of lamenting the number of strong conservatives in the race, lets get behind them and their message(s) and run the spineless out of the race altogether. The earlier the better. And then we can preach party unity to them, and work on selling the Indys and disgruntled Blue Dogs on supporting our guy or gal this time around.

  • davesinsanantonio

    Romney has just jumped on the bus that Pawlenty left some time ago. I would rather support Pawlenty who abandoned Cap and Tax a while ago than Romney who, despite all the evidence that AGW is a fraud, has just adopted it! Something wrong there. Besides that, why is he even talking about it at all? I mean it is not a big issue with most voter right now, so he should have stayed away from it. If he can be sold a bill of shoddy goods so easily, I question his political, and other, judgements.

  • davesinsanantonio

    NT

  • davesinsanantonio

    executive orders, regulatory type czars, super leftist court appointments, recess appointments, lets weaken our armed forces by sending them all over the world to fight tin pot dictators, and veto power over any rational budget, rather than Romney, then you have a lot more faith in the, even a GOP led, Senate than I do!!!

  • davesinsanantonio

    After all, Texas is in the middle of a special legislative session that has a lot of vital issues on its plate. For him to jump into the presidential race now would be to invite tons of criticism from all sides for his timing, which will not happen if he waits until the session is over.

  • mine

    Ed is working for a better candidate than what he had last time. Look, you can’t expect a candidate to drop out in the hope it helps another conserverative. I do expect them to drop out when it becomes clear they are not getting traction. All the best for Michelle. I love her and Palin. I don’t care which gets up. All the best to you girls.

  • jimmyneutron

    1. Michelle is my congresswoman and I haven’t noticed that she is a moron. She certainly seems like a pretty compentent person, especially considering the other people that the progressive statists (the opposition – remember?) have on the field.
    2. What is it with all of the rude, snarky comments on this site anymore about anyone who is your non favorite candidate? How about we save the rude stuff for the other side?
    3. I refuse to allow myself to be drawn into debates about isolated comments that any candidate makes. They say so many things, in public, that they are bound to say something that can be touted as evidence of their stupidity from time to time.
    4. I do this because I want to focus on the real issues, such as the coming economic meltdown, opposing (or just plain learning about so I can oppose) all of the garbage legislation coming out of both the federal and state capital, etc. Lets focus on important stuff and not let the media, cheerleaders for the statists, draw our attention away with trivial garbage (shiny objects, etc).
    I, personally, welcome all comers into the presidental race. The more the merrier and I especially welcome anyone who like Michelle firmly believes in limited, conservative government and following the constitution. We, as conservatives, need all of the people like that we can find to PUSH the conversation as far in the serious direction during this campaign as it can go.
    We need to demand that the candidates present real, concrete plans for how they will deal with the real, serious, critical problems facing our country. For goodness sake, we are facing almost incomprehensible problems in this country and we sit here and let the statists and their media todies lure us into criticizing conservative candidates because they didn’t know everything about Paul Revere??? Who cares??? I love history and all I can remember about him is what I read to my kids in kids books and facts such as those are irrelevant to the current discussion.
    How are the candidates for federal office planning to deal with our enormous debt, how will they deal with all of the unfunded mandates, programs, etc? Will they have the courage to stand up to the statists and their media stooges when it comes to judges? These questions and others like them are what we need to hear answered by the candidates.

  • averagevoterdotcom

    no sitting congress member has won potus in 140+ years.
    I see tea party getting VP offer.
    this may be best outcome for her and us.

  • gunslingr45

    also believe a lot of dems/lefties crossed over and helped choose McCain (sp yech) to run against “the one.”
    To think is this day and age the first thing they ask me at the polling place is: D or R ballot? Is Indiana alone in this?
    So your right, it could come down to a split again for either a RINO or a RINO.

    So many RINO?s so little time!

  • gunslingr45

    you elaborate on that, or is your hate just of all things Conservative?

    So many RINO?s so little time!

  • gunslingr45

    am guessing some of you people never flubbed anything? Maybe you should run.

    So many RINO?s so little time!

  • conservative_dan

    To even CONTEMPLATE giving that fraudulent man-boy another term shows you need some help! “Whoever” vs. Marxist Fascist America Destroyer means I vote for “Whoever”!

  • gunslingr45

    I will just give up being a Conservative. Sometimes I see more hate from the right than the left and I just can’t figure out why Conservatives bad mouth other Conservatives.
    As the old saying use to go, if you can’t say anything nice…..
    How about if we just sing the praises of whom we like and quit badmouthing real Conservatives who also just happens to be running.
    Now I can understand if we put down Mitt or McCain or others like them, but not people who are 90% Conservative.
    With some of the posters here, we should let leftist trolls on because really what’s the difference?
    Hell, maybe I will just go and live in the woods and hide out. If our side carries on like this we have already lost and the lefty’s will win again.

    So many RINOS so little time and you people want to fight over Conservatives?

  • Wayne

    of whether or not she is a moron in reality (we are all idiots to someone), she will get tromped by Obama. Even as a VP option, I believe the Democratic discredit machine will have a hey day with her.

    And, for the record, I like Michelle very much (as a conservative politician since I don’t know her personally) I don’t think she’s a moron and I don’t think she is the right Presidential candidate. But at this point I will vote for whomever the Republican party give us. Sad to say, but true. I won’t vote independent and I won’t vote Constitutional or Libertarian. We can have another 4 years of Obama. That’s a fact.

    I would prefer someone that we can all get behind with enthusiasm.

  • Wayne
  • gunslingr45

    won?t vote independent and you won?t vote Constitutional or Libertarian.

    Fine I stuck with the R’s the last time and look what where that got us. If they put up Mitt or some other larger than life RINO who, may be a little right of Obumber, we could still be in the same boat as with McCain.
    Mitt is a RINO and as much as I dislike RINOS I still do not sit around and point out his flubs or gaffes or call him names like idiot or moron
    I dunno, maybe my upbringing and being a Vet makes me expect to much loyalty out of people. But I do expect it.
    I say again, maybe I will go hide in the woods. With my guns and Bibles of course.

    GENTLEMEN PREPARE TO DEFEND YOUR SELF!
    Sam Elliott in We Were Soldiers

  • williamjameson

    mainstream and I often agree with him and learn as well. I’ve seen Rollins on FOX and MSNBC a few times lately, he was making the rounds even before the announcement. Does Bachman have what Reagan had is the real question. I haven’t researched her enough to know if I think she could govern effectively. For now, she’s wild card due to lack of being not well known outside of those who follow politics. Its not a negative since Reagan wasn’t well known till he entered the race.

  • cpaguy

    I don’t see what Romney would have done differenty than Obama.

    I’m not supporting the guy under any circumstance.

    Not meaning that I’m voting for Obama (never that!)…but I have no problem sitting this one out…

    Time spent voting for Romney could be better spent preparing against the slow drip of the fall of our Republic he would usher in.

    I don’t just think that Romney isn’t “conservative” enough. I think he would be bad for the nation. We need real chage in the executive branch on down.

  • olds88er

    Give me a break. Reagan was a very successfull two term Governor of the largest state in the Union. Hardly”wasn’t well known”

  • gekster
  • olds88er

    And Perot may have succeded in a three way race if he hadn’t pul;led the “I’m in”, “I’m out”, “Wait, I’m back in” caper. I was the Campaign Treasurer in the largest county in Florida)(Miami). His message on the size of our debt really caught on with the voters. I think that should be the main focus of our campaign.