Columbia, South Carolina (CNN) - Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann says she is seriously considering a presidential bid, but it doesn't sound like she plans to share a stage with the rest of the early 2012 field at the first Republican debate in May.
The debate, sponsored by the South Carolina Republican Party and Fox News, is scheduled for May 5 in Greenville.
Bachmann is currently making her second swing through South Carolina, one of four key early primary states, as she mulls a White House run.
But speaking to reporters after an event in Bluffton this weekend, she downplayed the prospect of participating in the debate.
"We haven't made the announcement yet about running for presidency, and so I think it may be premature to be part of the debate," she told CNN. "We are trying to determine if this is the right time."
The South Carolina GOP recently issued several guidelines for presidential hopefuls to be included in the debate. Candidates must pay all South Carolina primary filing fees, garner at least 1 percent of the vote in five national polls and have filed federal paperwork to create an official campaign or exploratory committee.
Bachmann pointed out that she has yet to create a campaign committee and may not do so before the debate.
"We haven't filed the exploratory committee yet," she said. "We asked if that was a requirement, and we were told that it was."
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer, Texas Rep. Ron Paul and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum have agreed to take part in the debate.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has created an exploratory committee but has not committed to attend.
From CNN Politics
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this crackpot from Minnesota will have nothing to say buy jokes if she joins the debate...
She's not a serious candidate and would make a fool of herself in the debate. She knows this as well as anyone and will avoid debate like the plague.
Yeah tease us, Michelle; be coy! Make us continue to wonder what effect injecting self-riteous ignorance into the race will have on it!
The debate, sponsored by the South Carolina Republican Party and Fox News, is scheduled for May 5 in Greenville.
FAIR AND BALANCED HUH? I submit that Fox News consider changing their name to Repbulican News that would be the most honest thing they've done in a long time.
She's as serious as Palin. I cannot wait for the debate. It will be "Clown Night."
Non-committal? She should BE committed. To an asylum!
It would be a tough debate.....she'd have to face Boss Hogg, Hillbilly Mike,and Professor Palin. She's probably waiting to see if Elmo from Sesame St is going to participate. If he's in, there's no way she'd want to face such a challenge.
Debate and Michele Bachmann do not belong in the same sentence. This foool doesn't even know that she has to form a exploratory commission. She's not ready to debate because she has to read up on American History 101.
The only reason she is saying that is to keep the "interest level" high among her sheep following. The rest of us with brains that work don't care whether she participates or not. She doesn't stand a chance of winning ANY election but let her try.
She will follow the Palin doctrine: Don't put yourself in a position to face real questions in an open venue because 'they are out to get you'.
Closely modeled after the Bush the Second doctrine of "Don't get behind the mike unless a) the room is closed and loaded with friends, b) only predetermined softball questions are allowed, or c) your earphone is operational."
In other words, the old saying applies: "Let them suspect you are a fool instead of opening your mouth and proving it"
she'll join the debate only if the candidates and audience are as stupid and ignorant like her.
Duplicate Sarah palin, that's it....she is a joke...too...
Come on Michele we could make it a "Pay per View" event. I'm telling you the dumb folks that follow you would pay to watch and those of us that know how dumb you are would fork over the cash to see the train wreck that you are every time you open your mouth!!!
Michele Bachmann has no chance of winning, and she all so a IDIOT. These Party people think all they have to do Is get Up and complain about some one but give you no Idea of what they would do. It because they don't have a clue , beside to make the RICH and BIG BUSINESS RICHER. They are good a one thing , they can LIE and Twist people word around and they are RACIST.
Maybe her name should be "Bach-bach-bach-bachmann" – because she sure seems "chicken" to go before an audience and have to answer unscripted questions!
Well that is because even tho is is as bat crap crazy as the come, she has sense enough to know she couldn't compete with other canadates without showing that fact to the rest of the country. That one word on the national stage, and it would be all over.
YES! A Palin/Bachmann ticket would mean one thing - President Obama would win re-election not only by a landslide but he'd win EVERY SINGLE electoral vote!!
Someone on her staff must have told her she'd have to actually answer questions on policy and present ideas.
i really want to see Bachmann debate anyone. Someone get the popcorn. This is going to be funny!
I would get more enjoyment watching paint dry then hear this babbling fool trying to debate. A box of rocks are smarter then this pinhead. It kind of makes you wonder who the people in her district are? The average IQ in her district must be a generous 1 if that!
Of course she will not join the debate. She has nothing intelligent to add.
I would love to watch her though for the entertainment value alone.
Aw,. come on Michele, please agree to the debate. There are so few really good comedy shows on TV these days.
I recently saw where Bachman criticized President Obama over the situation in Libya. What's most interesting about that is that until just recently, Bachman thought "Libya" was Bob Dole's wife. Bachman is like Sarah Palin. Woefully unprepared to lead this country. Too bad the people of Wisconsin have such low standards when it comes to their elected officials.
Bachmann: " A debate? What debate? Will there be other people or will I just be debating myself on all the points that I've flip-flopped on, been wrong on, misunderstood- and- spoke- about- anyways on? How does this thing work? Do they know that I'm Michelle Bachmann and they still want me to debate? Can we get around this? No? Then tell them I haven't COMPLETELY declared my intentions to run yet.".
This is not the least bit surprising. She knows she'll be exposed as a moronic twit, if she engaged in real debate where she had to speak somewhat off the cuff, without reading something rehearsed and scripted.
Just like Palin, Bachmann is essentially a politically-oriented standup comedian. It marks a low-point in this nation's political history that these 2 empty-heads are even in the national political conversation. How embarrassing.
Can you imagine Bachmann debating?
I can't.
She's chicken, plain and simple.
Please go to the debate Bobblehead Bachmann. You are just like sister Sarah. I need a good laugh.
As soon as this idiot opens her mouth in a true debate, she will be history politically.
Space cadet...