Iowa City Republicans Call Bachmann a Strong Candidate

Iowa City resident Deborah Thornton has worked for a number of different Republican officials over the years including former President George H.W. Bush and current presidential candidate Gary Johnson.

So when Thornton says that U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) is a viable contender in Iowa, you know that's coming from someone who has seen a few candidates before.

"She's a very credible, solid candidate, and I'm glad she entered the race," Thornton said. "Just from having heard her speak and seeing how people respond to her, I think she's a contender."

Bachmann is set to officially kick off her campaign in Iowa with an announcement Monday morning in Waterloo. Although many pundits on the national level view her as a rising star in Iowa particularly, Republicans here seem more apt to consider her a strong candidate in a field that still has room for more strong candidates.

A Des Moines Register Iowa Poll released today shows Bachmann climbing the rankings and sparring with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for the top spot in the state. But the numbers remain close among several candidates, suggesting that there may be room for other candidates to declare later in the process.

Thornton, for example, also lauded other Republican candidates in addition to Bachmann, such as former Godfather Pizza CEO Herman Cain and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, for doing better in Iowa than several national onlookers have given them credit for. She said her big issue in this election is the economy and taxes, and she believes the right Republican candidate can beat President Barack Obama on these issues.

"Spending is out of control at the federal level, and the White House has shown no inclination to control that spending in a serious way," Thornton said.

Similarly, Natalie Ginty, chair of the Iowa Federation of College Republicans and a University of Iowa student, said that most of the young Republicans she has spoken with still haven't lined up behind a single candidate, and this will not be changed by Bachmann.

"There's no front-runner right now, at least in Iowa," Ginty said. "I think a lot of people are still undecided."

Ginty said Bachmann's announcement in Waterloo is not generating that much excitement among the Republicans she knows, because it has long been expected. She said other potential candidates, like Texas Gov. Rick Perry, might generate more energy because there has been less buildup preceding an announcement.

Tim Hagle, a caucus watcher and associate professor of political science at the University of Iowa, said Bachmann should compete well in Iowa.

"She's somebody who can appeal across the various groups [of Republicans] who may want to focus on the social issues and who are also very concerned about economic issues," Hagle said.

Hagle said although national pundits view Iowa Republicans as being primarily interested in social conservative issues such as gay marriage or abortion, this is not entirely true.

"Those folks are likely to be very concerned about the economy as well," Hagle said. "There aren't a lot of what are traditionally called 'single issue voters' out there right now."

Hagle said the enthusiasm generated by Bachmann's entry into the race should force the other candidates to "up their game," particularly candidates such as Pawlenty, who has an established ground organization in Iowa.

"Pawlenty has been at it a little bit longer, has a better team, and keeps picking up endorsements," Hagle said. "One of the concerns that people seem to have is that Pawlenty isn't generating the enthusiasm that maybe that candidates like Bachmann have."

Hagle said he expects Bachmann to visit Iowa several times in early July to build on the momentum of her announcement.

The Ames Straw Poll is also rapidly approaching, with Bachmann one of six to pay for lots at the Aug. 13 event usually judged as a way for candidates to demonstrate the organization of their election team in Iowa. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas); Pawlenty; Cain; former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, from Pennsylvania; and U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, (R-Mich.), round out the other straw poll participants.