CNN Exclusive: Bachmann to form exploratory committee in June, possibly earlier
Washington (CNN) - CNN has exclusively learned that Rep. Michele Bachmann will form a presidential exploratory committee. The Minnesota Republican plans to file papers for the committee in early June, with an announcement likely around that same time.
But a source close to the congresswoman said that Bachmann could form the exploratory committee even earlier than June so that she could participate in early Republican presidential debates.
"She's been telling everyone early summer," the source told CNN regarding Bachmann's planned June filing and announcement. But the source said that nothing is static.
"If you [debate sponsors] come to us and say, 'To be in our debates, you have to have an exploratory committee,' then we'll say, 'Okay, fine...I'll go file the forms.'"
Three GOP presidential primary debates are planned before and during early June: The first one on May 2 at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California and another on May 5 in South Carolina. CNN plans a GOP presidential primary debate in New Hampshire in early June.
Meanwhile, CNN has also learned that Iowa Republican state Sen. Kent Sorenson will likely be hired to be Bachmann's political director for the state - and that Bachmann aides hope to have a complete team together for Iowa by this weekend.
Sorenson is a prominent Tea Party figure in Iowa and holds sway with evangelicals in the state. He has publicly said he will support Bachmann if she mounts a presidential bid.
The three-term congresswoman and Tea Party favorite hopes to also have political teams in place - very soon - in New Hampshire, home to the first-in-the-nation presidential primary, and South Carolina, host of the first presidential primary in the South.
"I could have state directors in all those states within a week," Bachmann Chief of Staff Andy Parrish said.
- Follow Shannon Travis on Twitter: @shantraviscnn
From CNN Politics
- Inside Jared Kushner and Peter Navarro's efforts to rescue the White House's coronavirus response April 3, 2020 07:14 pm
- Trump administration will reimburse hospitals for treating uninsured coronavirus patients April 3, 2020 10:42 pm
- Analysis: Trump passes the buck as deadly ventilator shortage looms April 3, 2020 05:19 am
- Delay in Trump's financial documents cases clouds House power on investigations April 3, 2020 12:01 pm
- Top administration officials said last year threat of pandemic kept them up at night April 3, 2020 10:39 pm
- Trump announces new face mask recommendations after heated internal debate April 3, 2020 10:20 pm
HAHAHAHAHAAAA! Bring it on WACKO!
That conservatives LIKE this dumb, crazy woman really says everything you need to know about them.
What a joke! This bigoted, uninformed woman actually thinks the American people are stupid enough to make her President. She is nothing more than Rick Santorum in a dress.
Oh how I wish that if you decided to run for president you had to give up your seat in congress.
They must explore her head to see if they can find a brain ! What a complete waste of time and money ! ZERO chance of getting her being picked as a candidate.At least Palin admits she has no chance of winning and she is not going to run unless no one else runs, Bachmann should do the same as sister Sarah
Bachmann is insane. Not sure what universe should could win a presidential election. She's one of those candidates who would only agree to one debate as to not embarrass herself.
Can anyone name ANY accomplishment or landmark legislation she's sponsored??? This was the criticism of Obama. Let's see if people call her out on this as well. This woman has made some outlandish accusations with NO PROOF of anything. In her last couple of times she's tried to show her "constitutional' knowledge, she's "mispoken", i.e. the founding fathers worked tirelessly to get rid of slavery.....Huh?? Some of them owned slaves..........then in New Hampshire, trying to appease the voters there, she attributed a battle that happened in MA to being in NH. Look, I'm not saying that means very much. But if your message is that we shold be getting "back" to the constitution, then you should know your history. Again I say, what has she accomplished in Congress that anyone can remember. Last thing, let's check to see if and if so, how much in "earmarks" she has accepted and how many times she has voted no on budgets that increased our deficit. IN particular when President Bush was in command.
We need her like a fish need Sarah Palin.
Interesting. Let the liberal bashing begin. This woman is smart, focused and real. And every bit as qualified as Obama ever was. She will definitely make the debates lively and score some good points.
Bring it on crazy lady! Bring it on
Run Michelle run!! Palin's cult followers are going to lose their minds! Ha Ha HA
PLEASE DO Mirs Bachmann we need some comedy in this upcoming election. Plus it will be fun to see your GOP competitors for the nomination rake you through to coals as to why you shouldn't be their candidate and they should. Actually I look forward to it.
She will make millions. Don't try to look any deeper than that. There is nothing else there and that is the extent of it.
Good news for Democrats.
Is this the Exploratory Ccommittee for the Exploratory Committee? When/if she actually announces, tell us. This is otherwise a waste of CNN's resources.
TG it's not Palin, she turned from interesting new comer into some cult of personality media whore...enough so she has no merit. I won't say Bachmann is without credibility. More power to her.
Pawlenty/Bachmann 2012!!!!
Another colonoscopy? First pawman andnow the #2 MN bimbo!
While waiting for President Obama to be reelected we are going to have a lot of late night and dailiy fun with these morons! Love it!!! 🙂
Thanks MN 6th district for keeping this airhead as a rep.
I'll save you some time:
You have no chance in hell of
being elected to anything beyond
where you now are. As a total fake,
and self-appointed 'tea party' rep, you are well
past obnoxious, and repulsive; all the way to no chance in hell.
I can't wait to hear her debating skills.
This loon is fulfilling every Democrat's wet dream. As an Independent (with Democratic leanings) I look forward to the press releases, reporter's questions and debates for two reasons. 1. The morbid curiousity of viewing a trainwreck; and 2. A chance for the American electorate to pass judgement on this dingbat.
I would also propose that the first thing she should do is take the citizenship test required of everyone desiring to become a citizen. As a matter-of-fact that test should be a requirement of all candidates. Do not confuse me with a moronic "birther". It would just be nice if the person elected president actually knew America's history.
what is the committee exploring for? A brain.
The psycho is running for President? Wonderful! I can't wait to hear all of the falsehoods of American history. This woman is possessed by some kind of demon. She actually thinks Glen Beck..............nevermind. That's just how ridiculous this woman is.
To the middle class and the independents who keep voting for these rethugs . . . . What is it going to take for you people to realize that the rethugs are all about their money and their super rich friends???
They are already re writing history in Texas. Now they want to erase the hard working men and women who made/make this country what it is!! When is it going to stop?
Let the crazies begin!!!
She's going in to OVERDRIVE! ZING!