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
- As Trump gaslights America about coronavirus, Republicans face a critical choice July 6, 2020 04:24 am
- When the President's own medical advisers refuse to correct his misleading claim, the coronavirus trust gap grows July 5, 2020 07:33 pm
- Fact-checking Trump's Fourth of July speech July 5, 2020 09:45 pm
- These charts show how economic progress has stalled for Black Americans since the Civil Rights era July 5, 2020 03:05 pm
- FDA commissioner refuses to defend Trump claim that 99% of Covid-19 cases are 'harmless' July 5, 2020 03:30 pm
- Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth says Trump's 'priorities are all wrong' July 5, 2020 08:41 pm
When does this "Lady" find time to serve the people of her district.
This woman should be an embarrassment to intelligent women in our country. She claims to be such an authority on the "founders," the Constitution, etc., and yet she screws up which state the first shots of the American Revolution were fired in her public speech. She's an air-head, and there are so many more intelligent women of substance out there who could be leaders...but she and Sarah Palin seem to be the best the Republicans can come up with?
Can't wait for the Bachman/Pailin ticket. Maybe with O'Donnell as AG?
She doesn't have a chance! No career politicians should even bother running!! The public has had enough!! We need someone who isn't a lawyer and has run a successful business in times of adverstiy! DONALD TRUMP 2012!!!
At least she is funny to watch.
The answer is NO. She lied about Tea Party values and voted yes to renew the Patriot Act, she's a phoney.
She makes Palin look like Einstein! What a fool!
Did you know she thinks only evangelicals should hold American office? Do you really want a religious nut like this in office? esp if you believe in freedom of religion? I dont get the Tea party cozy either. They are a complete contridiction of themselves. They want us to return to what the forefathers envisioned...well church running state is not that.
Whom ever is encouraging her must want Democrat to win.
Anotherconservative nut clamoring for GOP nomination to be a presidential contender. No chance lady.
Myabe it will be a Palin/Bachmann ticket. What a joke. LOL
Yuk. Can't we get a good person to run? A smart person? A person who is willing to lessen the divide? Not a face politician with more of the same rhetoric and do-nothing agenda? Ugh.
If the independent candidate in her district would have pulled from the election, she wouldn't have won another term. She is why people frown on gerrymandering! A prime example
Wow...I'm surprised that CNN hasn't filled the blog with hate mail for conservatives, and posted on pro-liberal spew by now...ANYONE with a conservative base will easily defeat Obama. He's provided more political fodder than all previous administrations combined....no transparency, caving on same-sex marriage, ramming Obamacare through despite the majority of the country against it...even a mediocre candidate would be a better president than the zero in place now.
Great! The GOP is going to trade one nitwit ( Sarah Palin ) for another ( Michele Bachmann ) ??? Evidiently, the Democrats have successfully infiltrated the Republican Party and are VERY successful in getting front-runners for the Presidential slot on the next ticket THAT WILL INSURE OBAMA GETS RE-ELECTED!
No, you misunderstood. Michele Bachmann is forming a committee to explore what the presidency is, because she's heard the term but isn't familiar with it.
A great VP choice.
How about Alan West for president? He has more background then Obama ever had,or has.
Wow as if Sarah Palin wasn't enough, now we have this dumb witch to contend with.
I'll support her in a heart beat. If we can't get Chris Christie or Tim Pawlenty, then go Michelle. Keep it up. Keep calling the thugs, thugs.
HAHAHA
What a line up the GOP has. 2012 is going to be AWESOME!!!! Can you say Obama's landslide?
Let's find out how crazy she really is... I guess we'll find out how much of the country is crazy by how much support she gets.
It wouldn't hurt if she explored a little US history too. This is coming from a Republican. She speaks in broad strokes and knows little of the details of which she speaks. Her recent gaffe on Lexington/Concord is case and point.
Forget it Bauchman! You aren't who we will vote for. Don't embarass our party or yourself. The socialist joker sitting in the white house now is the biggest sham joke on planet earth, but....you couldn't even do half as good as him. You would only make matters worse. You ain't "president" material
They are coming out of the wood work. The only chance to run obama out of DC is Chris Christy. Nwet is from the old DC crowd, Pallian is toast. If we get some of these tea party people on the ballot we will be stuck with mr. indesisive for another 4 years
This would be awesome. The more wackjobs run as Republicans, the more the President is assured a second term.