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
- Jeffrey Clark's deposition postponed until December 16 December 4, 2021 12:22 am
- Conservative lawyer Eastman says he will defy subpoena from January 6 committee December 4, 2021 12:11 am
- US military launches investigation after possible civilian casualties in Syria strike targeting al Qaeda leader December 4, 2021 12:10 am
- Analysis: Mitch McConnell's 2022 agenda? Do nothing. December 3, 2021 11:33 pm
- Meadows doubles down on debunked election fraud claims and whitewashes January 6 riot in new book December 3, 2021 10:37 pm
- January 6 committee spoke with Michigan secretary of state December 3, 2021 09:40 pm
Lord help us all! This crazy woman needs to be put in an institution where she can receive treatment.
As dumb and as useless of a person as Sarah Palin.
I'm sure women's groups will rally to support her. She is articulste, smart, independent, a leader, and is trying to break the glass ceiling. Her campaign would be historic as the first woman president. Right, don't hold your breath, the attacks will start from the left. Maybe Bill Maher ( who?.... He is a tv comedian) can weigh in with his insight.
oh please run...don't tease me...i love it when a self-agrandizing corporate tool gets smashed...
Not another idiot Palin wannabe...The country has enough big mouths with nothing to back it up. This woman is another joke.
I like it. She's smart. She has experience. She's not afraid to call it like it is.
Please run Michelle, pretty please. We need 4 more years of Barack's leadership and to finish the job he's started.
LOL! What is this dolt planning to investigate? How badly she will be beaten? Just the fact that Bachmann thinks that she is qualifed to be President is a testment to her incredible arrogance and stupidity.
Please do not waste our tax-payer money by running for President.
I am starting to feel bad for the Republicans; its slate of candidates is truly abysmal . The addition of Michelle Bachmann now adds real comedy to the list. So far Romney is the best of the lot, but then alot of people object to the Obamacare style healthcare plan he started here in MA. He is intelligent with alot of good business smarts which is alot more than I can say for Bachmann! Maybe all these unelectable candidates will push Jeb Bush into the race!
only one thing to say LOL
Don't bother with your exploratory committee Michele. The people of the U.S. have not been "dumbed down" enough to vote for you as POTUS.
Oh no! Not Bachmann! The one who sat on national TV and announced that Obama was spending 2 mil a day on his India trip. If she doesn't bother to separate fact from fiction then what kind of president would she be? Unbelievable...
You will just wast your money , because you will never win or any body else back by the TEA PARTY. Be side that you are all most as big of a IDIOT as Saran Palin.
This is a gift to all Democrats ! Bachmann represents all that is crazy and illiterate in today's politicians. If she becomes the candidate, the Republican party will become irrelevant. Somehow and somewhere, people have to stop electing these goofy people. If one of them ever gets into the Presidency, the country will self-destruct.....
She doesn't stand a snowball's chance in Hell. Nuff said.
Just when we thought Plain was the dumbest thing out there this tool beats her hands down....
Thought I'd never vote for a woman because they just seemed to timid and feared they would be pushed around. That was before Bachmann and Palin. I would be proud to vote for Bachmann. Hell, she's got more kahunas than any male politician I know.
I am no fan of Bachmann. I think she is a rube that shamelessly panders to the tea party and to people's fears. She doesn't stand a chance to win the Republican nomination. I think it's all a ploy to get her on the ticket as a Republican VP nominee. A more moderate Republican presidential nominee could please the right-wing by choosing Bachmann as VP. I still think she'd be horrible at the job, though.
What a system! What a country! Just think of it - how open can our system really be? Just about anyone can run for president - even vapid, shallow, ignorant fools like Bachman. So, I say to her - bring on your campaign, we're all eagerly awaiting the amusement and oh boy, do we need a comic relief from what the right-wing hate mongering that's been going on in this country since an Afro-American was elected President! How about a Palin/Bachman team for the "GOP" in 2012??!!?? It just doesn't get any better (i.e., funnier) than that.
Wow, even crazier than I thought.
great, another wacko to run for president...and knowing how stupid americans are, there is a chance she will get elected....
Please don't do it. I would feel insulted to be represented by you!
How about she try forming a thought?
One more Republican wacko joins the GOP presidential circus.