Bachmann sticks with deadline on possible run

Associated Press

ARCHBOLD, Ohio

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann said Friday she’ll stick with her plan and announce whether she will run for president in June after considering moving up the decision.

The Republican from Minnesota who’s a tea party favorite thought about speeding up her timetable after former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee announced last week that he’s not seeking for the 2012 GOP nomination.

“We were looking this last week with the turn events that perhaps we would go a bit earlier, but we think it’s more prudent to stick with the original plan,” she said before a speech at a fundraiser in northwest Ohio.

Bachmann, a three-term congresswoman, already has started lining up key supporters and staff in Iowa.

Her decision on the presidential race won’t be influenced by former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s plans to run, she said. One of Pawlenty’s advisers told The Associated Press on Friday that he’ll formally announce his bid Monday.

“No matter who goes into the race, that does not have any bearing on whether I go in or don’t go in,” she said. “I do believe, however, the Republicans will have a very deep bench of good, qualified candidates.”

She did say that having two Minnesotans in the race wouldn’t be a problem, pointing out that the state is already home to the Minnesota Twins baseball team.

Among the other top hopefuls are former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia. The GOP is still waiting to hear whether Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels or 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin will get in the race.

Bachmann will count on support from tea party supporters and social conservatives if she makes a run. “The tea party was the verve and the vibrancy of the 2010 election and they are more fired up than they were in 2010,” she said.