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Bachmann Quits Race, Says She’ll Fight For Issues

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Gallery: Bachmann Leaves Race

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann said Wednesday she’s ending her bid for the Republicans presidential nomination after her last-place finish in Iowa’s leadoff precinct caucuses.

“The people of Iowa spoke with a very clear voice, so I decided to stand aside,” Bachmann said at an emotional news conference, flanked by her family, hours after the caucus results were announced. “I have no regrets, none whatsoever. We never compromised our principles.”

The conservative Minnesota congresswoman’s decision, widely expected following her dismal Iowa showing, leaves her supporters up for grabs by the other candidates in the race and could be a boost for former Sen. Rick Santorum. Santorum narrowly lost the caucuses to front-runner Mitt Romney and is trying to emerge as the clear conservative alternative to the former Massachusetts governor.

Bachmann’s decision gives Santorum a clear shot at consolidating the conservative vote heading into the next round of contests, though former House speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Gov. Rick Perry still draw support from that pool.

Bachmann, 55, had told a small group of supporters Tuesday night that she was staying in the race as the only true conservative who can defeat President Barack Obama.

But hours later, she announced her departure from the race, capping a deep and long slide for a candidate who entered the campaign last summer with very high expectations.

There was great excitement among Republican activists when she began her campaign and she translated that into a solid win in the Iowa straw poll.

But as the campaign moved forward, Bachmann ran into a series of organizational and financial hurdles. She had a big shake-up in her campaign staff, with key backers leaving to join Ron Paul’s campaign, and her fundraising trailed virtually all of her rivals. That slide was capped Tuesday night with her sixth-place showing in the leadoff precinct caucuses.

Bachmann did not take questions after her announcement nor did she talk about her future plans, including whether she would endorse another Republican for the presidential nomination or seek re-election to Congress.

“I look forward to the next chapter in God’s plan,” Bachmann said. “I’m grateful to have been a part of this presidential contest.”

Her campaign manager, Keith Nahigian, told The Associated Press, that Bachmann has “no time frame or person” in mind for an endorsement.

She blamed her demise on her straight-shooting, uncompromising approach to the issues. She campaigned as a hard-liner on social issues like abortion and gay rights, as well as arguing for a massive shrinking of the federal government.

“I didn’t tell you what the polls said you wanted to hear,” Bachmann said.

She made it clear her public career was not over, even as she didn’t lay out what direction it would take.

“I’ll continue to fight for you, for more liberty and to stop the over-spending in Washington,” Bachmann said. “I mean what I say and I say what I mean.”

Bachmann said she decided to seek the nomination to stop Obama policies that she argued would be disastrous for the country

“I ran as the next stepping stone to passing on the torch of liberty,” Bachmann said. “Make no mistake: I will continue to fight for our country.”

Though she’s a member of Congress and a force in conservative Republican politics, Bachmann sought to stand above the fray.

“A politician I never have been, nor ever will be,” she said.

She said the national health care measure Obama signed into law in 2010 and that Republicans oppose and derisively refer to as “Obamacare” is the signature issue the GOP must take to the electorate.

“My message has been the complete elimination of Obamacare,” she said. “It has now become the playground of the left on social engineering. It must be stopped and its repeal is more than a cliché. The implementation of Obamacare will represent a turning point.”

While not endorsing any candidate, Bachmann said “we should rally around the person” who eventually gets the nomination.

Bachmann made her personal history a core of her campaign, having been born in Waterloo, Iowa, and spending her early years there before moving with her family to Minnesota. She argued that it gave her a special tie to the state, but that didn’t translate into backing from activists and the support she needed to place well, or win, the caucuses.

Her evangelical faith was a cornerstone throughout the campaign, as it was during the announcement about her campaign’s end.

“My Lord God almighty, this republic is unshakeable,” Bachmann said. “There is always something around the corner. I have been blessed to live a great life.”

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View Comments
  • rayjay

    Yes Michelle, there was a miracle in Iowa. People finally convinced you that you were not a choice for intelligent people. You wasted alot of money. Now go earn what you have stolen from Minnesota tax payers.

  • Sabrina

    Quitter!

  • Mark

    I bet this will be the most commented on story of the day, good riddance Bachmann

  • Dave

    The Iowa caucuses aren’t worthless after all.

  • Lagerhops

    She is out of the race but we can’t really rejoice until she is out of Minnesota.

    • smb

      I know, I was kind of hoping she’d stay in.

  • Swamp wrong

    Hmmm….Where is my “buddy” Swamp Rat? He SWORE she was going to NH to drum up the troops according to his “News Wire”….

    I think it was me who said she would withdraw after Iowa…..and I am a GOP supporter. Just shows you how in touch the left is with this race……and how your “leftist news agency’s” report incorrect information.

    Michelle is a smart person; she just comes across as an unlikeable person. I hope her ideas will help pull this country out of the dumps…..but I can’t say I would have voted for her if I were in Iowa.

    • crasian

      “Michelle is a smart person;…” in order for that statement to be true, you must have an IQ of dirt. Sorry bud, I feel bad for you, the American education system failed you proper.

      • frozenrunner

        Bachmann does have a law degree and passed the bar exam. She can go around the country and charge a five figure fee (not including the two after the decimal point) plus expenses for people to listen to her. There are enough people out there who would pay her as evidenced by Palin she could earn a far better living than you. You, me, 9/10 of the universe may not like her message, laugh at her mistakes, but she was smart enough to do what she needed to do to earn a living doing nothing.

        • She’s still a fool

          I have a law degree. Can’t say it was hard but it did cost a lot.

          • Janet

            sure you do.

      • Em’s Mom

        I don’t doubt she is smart, but she is misguided, manipulative, dishonest and short-sighted. She fails to understand that one must compromise in a country of 2 political parties & 200+ million people. For her to think that she could be “uncompromising” and succeed is naive. And for voters to expect that of any candidate, regardless of party, is likewise naive.

  • Realist

    I wonder how much debt this “fiscal conservative” is saddled with. Last I heard it was at least $500k. Phony conservative if you ask me. She wanted to implement a theocracy. Nothing more.

    • I love it….

      Well…if you knew the facts….she has MONEY LEFT OVER…..Shows you what you know…..

      • Realist

        Ha! No. Her campaign is in debt. Maybe you should check your facts instead of typing in ALL CAPS like a child.

  • Michele is from hell

    Not good enough! She needs to profusely apologize to America for insulting us with her run for POTUS and she also needs to admit that she’s an idiot.

    • And Your an Angel

      @ Michele from hell….

      So what do YOU do for a living? I am guessing you’re in between jobs as a cashier @ Wal-Mart and a baby factory welfare recipient?

      As soon as you can say you graduated from law school, opened a successful business, and were elected to Congress MULTIPLE times in a DFL state, you need to put your comments where they belong…..on Facebook with all of the other 12 year olds….

      Your comment about “hell” is quite amusing as well…..as I bet she has been to church more in the last year than you have in your whole life.

      • debby

        I am a college graduate with a Masters degree, I work in a technical field… and I don’t like her either!

        ALSO…I don’t go to church and think the “born agains” are a big pain in the ass and a scary thought to have running our country.

        OH..my mother (85) is on Facebook, so much for your 12 year olds comments.

        YOUR comments are highly amusing to ME!

        • I’m a clown

          Well…I’m glad I amuse you!

          My point is if she were to reply with something similar to your post….I would have left it alone…
          But to say “Michele is from Hell” is a childish, worthless statement that is for all intents and purposes, stupid for lack of a better term…..

      • You’re Stupid

        Michele is from hell, doesn’t have to justify himself/herself to YOU! Who are YOU?! You’re a hypocritical christian, assuming the position of god by judgeing others with your mindless, arrogant ranting. Just like bachamann!! Go figure1 Grow up and educate yourself, Zippy.

        • I nots surt lik u

          LOL….wait a sec here…..who is the hypocritical person here?

          So it’s fine for “Michele is from Hell” to “judge” Michele Bachman……but when someone judges her….that’s wrong?

          You really don’t have a CLUE do you lefties!!!!

          It’s about time you learned you are NOT “special” and deserve a free ride on the backs of hard working Americans…

          Your response fits the typical “left” response….

          “I deserve it…..I am correct because my whole life I have been told I’m a WINNER no matter how poorly I have done…I deserve the wealth of OTHER people even though I have done NOTHING to deserve it…..”

          Just keep your comments coming….your only proving to the world in black and white you are clueless!

          • jackactionhero

            “I deserve the wealth of OTHER people even though I have done NOTHING to deserve it”

            Who said that, when, and what does that even MEAN??

            • action zero

              your fearless leader says that on a daily basis!!!

          • takeaknee

            Just proves that the religious right is neither….religious or right.

      • gwash

        Only 12 year olds on Facebook?… Do you live on a farm? or are you just as stupid as MB?…just saying…lol?

        • You should wash…..

          I’m sorry…..You are correct….

          The Median age on facebook (if you even knows what that means) is 38…..I guess I was just making the point the response is worthless…..just like yours!

          • The Truth

            And if anyone would be an expert on worthless responses…

      • Tharen

        when you stop looking down that nose of yours, you might see that cashiers at Walmart and welfare recipients also vote as is their right, so be a little more “christian on inside, and not just on the surface” although you and MB don’t seem to have much depth to begin with…..

      • newcraft

        What successful business? She was an IRS attorney – that’s about as entry-level-standard as you can get in that field, and it’s a GOVERNMENT job – meaning she was earning a salary based on tax money, OUR money. And we foot the bill for her salary and healthcare as a Congresswoman. So tell me again where any of that speaks to her showing any prowess in the private sector? And then has the gall to tell other people they shouldn’t depend on government????

        Please get clued in to her hypocrisy before you fall over the cliff in your blind admiration – YOU are paying her salary.

  • Murph

    Bachmann’s, Joan of Arc speech falls flat.However it did sound as if whoever wrote it for her has a better grip on reality than she has ever exhibited or put to words before! One down and the rest of the dirty dogs to go!

  • Bill

    Monday, Bachmann was saying that she had been planting seeds, and on Tuesday, she would reap what she had sown.

    As it turns out, those were the truest words she’s ever spoken in her political career. She definitely reaped what she had sown.

  • Bradford J. Ward

    GOOD BYE QUEEN OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. Now us in MN still have to put up with her B.S.

    • Bradfords friend

      That queen would be M@rcus.

  • Mike

    ’bout time.

  • FindTheHumor

    Can’t wait to see what Leno/Letterman/Ferguson/Conan/etc. have to say about this. Talk about shooting dead fish in a small barrel!

  • Lagerhops

    Most people from Iowa are smarter than most people from Stillwater.

    • AWOLGolfer

      As someone from Stillwater, I regret your statement. Are you making an assumption that all from Stillwater are Mickey B backers? There are a number of very bright individuals from the Valley who had the brains not to support this do nothing Congressional representative. I also hope that those throughout her district have been taking note of the rhetoric spewed forth during her failed run. Hopefully, their eyes will have been opened and they’ll think twice about sending this woman back to Washington to do nothing again!

  • Jim

    I was looking forward to $2 a gallon gas! Not! I would rather pay $4 a gallon than have Bachmann as our president!

  • Kevin D

    I’m kind of sad with this announcement. For months now Bachmann has provided soooooooooo much entertainment for us all. If she disappears, who are we going to laugh at?

    Well, I doubt she will disappear. She needs ATTENTION and simply going back to work for the district that elected her isn’t going to cut it. So now the question remains: What’s her next plan? Her next move? VP? Secretary of State? I can hardly wait!

    • Lanny

      you need not worry Kevin you’ll have plenty to ‘laught at’ with your Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and best of all your Obummer—but only til Nov. What a great day when our country can get rid of them

  • Pointing out Logic Flaw…

    If God told Bachmann to be president, and she just said she isnt running anymore, does that mean that she is going against the word of God? Doesn’t that mean she is going to hell?

    • Michelle O’Bachman

      Good point, she is obviously defying God’s will, I wonder what God will tell her to do next? Maybe God will tell her to grow up & act like a human being.

    • no flaw

      Bachmann was already going to Hell, long before today’s announcement. Therefore, there’s no logic flaw.

      • All kinds of flaws

        Glad you feel you have the right to judge!

        Typical Democrat….thinks their opinion is truth when in fact…..you’re the most uninformed, unintelligent, pot smokin’ hippies out there….

        Take your outdated political views (the DFL party would be a viable political view if we were in the 1920′s!) and move to a 3rd world country…..you might have a chance of people listening to you…..

        • Sick of the yammering

          “Typical Democrat….thinks their opinion is truth when in fact…..you’re the most uninformed, unintelligent, pot smokin’ hippies out there….”
          Wow… so much irony here, I can’t decide where to start.

          Maybe if people would quit calling Democratics ‘dirty hippies’ & ‘lefty pinko commies’ & Republicans ‘crazy Christian nutjobs’, we might actually become a proud nation again. Wait, that’s common sense tho… an obviously extinct idea.

        • Lagerhops

          All kinds of flaws is angry because it has been revealed that the Wizard is just smoke and mirrors.

          • weed

            And you question my pot smoking comment?

        • The Truth

          Why move to a third world country? If we elect a Republican in November, we can stay right here and wait for this country to become third world.

          Also, “Pot Smoking Hippy”? That insult was outdated when I was born in 1971.

        • Wearelemmings

          What is TRULY funny is that you actually believe the Republicans are any better than the Democrats. The mere fact that anyone would trust either political party is ridiculous. NEITHER party cares about what is best for the average American. We live in an oligarchy in which a few thousand people, mostly in finance, media, government and the military-industrial complex run the country for their own purposes. They preserve their power by manipulating the media, controlling campaign finance money, and nominate candidates that will work for them. Both parties promote changing Washington, but they NEVER do. Little gets done they don’t like, and NONE of our officials are ever held accountable..EVER. Meanwhile, the right bashes the left and vice verse. We elect the Dems. only to 4-6 years later elect the Repubs., and back to the Dems, and so on, and so on, and so on….yet NOTHING changes for the average American. We are just too blind to see it.

  • William

    Well, at least she may “fight” for something. she never obviously fought for her Congressional district.

    • good point…..

      with the losers you DFL’ers put against her…she hasn’t needed to!

      • newcraft

        It wasn’t about the other candidate – she simply outspent them – and the majority of her money came from OUT of state. Tell me in what world that makes any sense – for people in another state to essentially buy an election in another state? Now that she’s actually had to go out and speak and defend her stands on a national podium, the people who voted for party rather than person are kicking themselves that she’s their choice. I’m sure most of them didn’t even know she felt this way about the issues. She won’t be back for another term, that’s pretty much a given.

  • Richard Betts

    From an admitted centrist Dem, I am glad Backmann is out. But people should know Santorum is just a more-polished version of her. He is G-D man looking to install a theocracy in the United States. (Side note: Google “Rick Santorum and Savage Love” to see how readers of Dan Savage’s column define Santorum.) Anyhow, I think Romney is the Republicans’ best chance to defeat Obama because he is more centrist. No party, on the left or right, will win the POTUS race with someone too far on the extreme fringe. In smaller races/areas maybe (like Bachmann’s district), but not in a national election.

    • FindTheHumor

      That “real” definition of “santorum” provided a LOT of laughs on Monday, when some of the TV stations had on-screen graphics declaring “Santorum surge”. Hilarious!!!

    • cool

      Didn’t you used to be with The Allman Brothers Band? Cool band!

    • Another Michele but nothing like her

      I agree, Romney is the best choice and chancewe have to beat Obama. Please forgive my vote 4 years ago I was lead astray… :(

      • The Truth

        How were you lead astray? Obama promised to reform health care and he did. He said taxes would not be raised on people making below $250,000 and they weren’t (although Republicans almost let them be).

        What, exactly, does Flip Flopney bring to the table?

  • Terrace

    Common sense Iowa

    Even her home state didn’t want her. Time MN kicked her out too.

  • Jeff

    Face it, the only reason she quit, is because now, the money will dry up faster than West Texas in summer.

  • tan pup

    As I said before MB is an Attention Who RE – with daddy issues. I listened to Marcus explain his “treatment” clinic – holy lord; that voice of his – could it be any more stereotypical? Now she will be back in MN telling everyone how she is a “true Minnesotan” and I bet she won’t pay the bill for her campaign because she didn’t win! I guess the Iowans’ like the idea of Santorum burning gays to the stake vs. MB’s idea of pray the gay away . . . He’s even more hateful than MB. She is nuts – he is dangerous!

    • Citizen

      Yes, Santorum should be given no support, no recognition, and no respect. Here is what the DPE has to say about Santorum:
      “Santorum explained that not only would he support a federal constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, he supports invalidating all currently legal same-sex unions:
      This is odious to the extreme. It is not just that such an amendment to the Constitution would be an historic first, taking away rather than conferring rights. The fact that Mr. Santorum would, solely on the basis of his own anti-gay bigotry and hatred take away the marriage rights of tens of thousands of couples who have been legally married is deplorable. It is a position that shows absolutely no concern or consideration for the happiness of others, only a dogmatic hatred of people that lives their lives in a way that has no impact on others, but with which Mr. Santorum disagrees with. Mr. Santorum would use the highest powers of government, the Constitution, to destroy lives and rights.
      For this reason Mr. Santorum does not deserve any consideration and no one should grant him any recognition. Soon he will return to his natural state of political oblivion, and that moment cannot come too soon. Particularly for those who value the core concept Conservative ideology that says whenever possible individuals should be left alone to their own lives without government interference.”

      • dan

        Dont worry Citizen,

        Santorum wont get the nod and Obama will be re-elected. We will suffer thru another 4 years of spending, waste and continued unemployment.

        • frozenrunner

          @ dan
          There was 8 years of waste that preceded obama with a recession thrown in to boot. Both parties are equally responsible. Neither side wants to quit spending, one side will not raise the revenues to continue to pay for what they want to spend on. The good citizen and a few others can give you the economics lecture.

        • newcraft

          Sorry to burst the pity bubble, but unemployment, even though it’s still bad, has improved from what it was at the height of the crisis. Did you expect one person to snap his fingers with an obstructionist Congress and get it down to 2% from 10% overnight? It’s now hovering in the region of 8%. Not great, but recovering. We were at 6% when Bush left office.
          And like it or not, there were 26% more college-age adults covered by health insurance this past year thanks to the health care law changes. That’s 26% less young people out there taking a chance on racking up multiple thousands in ER and clinic bills that end up getting eaten by the states.
          And they just today announced a crackdown on overspending on military. It’s one of our largest budget items, and we’ve had multiple cases proven where we award no-bid contracts and get overbilled on what we spend there. But the Republicans are complaining about the idea of cutting back. They’re only for spending cuts that they personally choose, not the ones that come from where we’re leaking and wasting the most money apparently.
          So tell me again about this “suffering” that’s happening? It’s not because Obama’s at the helm, he’s just one player in a large troupe of players.

          • orrest

            Republicanss giving things away. Track what is generally bought with food stamps: processed foods. Anything to put moneyy in the coffers of big business.

      • Me

        Nobody cares what the pervs do at home and we certainly dont want government to interference by legalizing this.

        • not just me

          Yes Me, whatever you do at home probably should not be legal.

  • AntiTeabagger

    Thanks god she finally woke up and realized she was a moron that just wasted all that money! Typical woman, wasting money for nothing.

    • Joseph

      I find the label of “teabagger” highly offensive.
      All are invited. Few are accepted. The lack of shame within the democratic party will be the downfall of this great country.

      • the truth

        THANK you Joseph….

      • wishuweretbagged

        Have you googled “teabag”?

        Looks kinda kinky, I’d try it :)

      • bottomsup

        Yeah, THAT will be the downfall. What, do you charge a 3 drink minimum for your comedy routine???

      • AntiTeabagger

        What I find offensive is your Republican BS and having a president like the Cowboy from Texas blow through a surplus of cash like he does with his coke habit. By the way, your name Joseph offends me. I bet you are just like that step father of Jesus too huh? Believes that by magic God came down and had his way with his wife. I bet your a moron just like him too.

        • @Anti Tea

          Bad supply of Meth?

          • AntiTeabagger

            I am sure you ran out though loser

      • newcraft

        Like the lack of shame of our honorable majority leader who just resigned over a se-x scandal and tried to make it sound like she was just burnt out? Like the admittance of Republican leadership that they overspent and didn’t pay bills from the last state election? Like the shame Boehner exhibited when he deliberately refused to call for a vote on the payroll tax cut extension until zero hour the last possible day before holiday recess – just because he could do that, even when his own were begging him not to be stubborn?
        I have to laugh – the dems aren’t the ones showing a lack of shame these days.

  • Twofer

    She said God told her to run.

    The voters of Iowa have told her not to run.

    Isn’t Iowa supposed to be Heaven?

    At least she’ll be carrying on the fight against socialism by pursuing the end of Medicare and Social Security!

  • Reasonable

    Factual reporting – President Obama doesn’t believe in god.

    News to me.

    What intelligent rebuttal need there be? She wasted a ton of people’s money and efforts in getting reelected for congress, missed her votes while she was on the road campaigning, and will now go back to be part of a lame duck congress. She’s a waste. I don’t respect her as a politician or a person (and I’m not even a lefty) and feel that the best thing would be for her to just go away.

    • Thank you

      Thank you…..

      I 100% respect (And THANK YOU for) your comment…..

      “and I’m not even a lefty” is the KEY here!

      See how your response is well spoken and has valid points? OK…so I went a little too far with the God and Obama comment…..but still….

    • OMG

      I respect her pledge not to raise taxes on no one. She, at least, had kept to the pledge. I also want to thank her for her votes on the house budget bills. All of which would had done a lot on tax loopholes big businesses had use to avoid paying taxes. G.E. made 45 billion last year and hadn’t paid a dime in taxes. G. E. is a friend of Al, Amy, and the President. Loophole stopping bills (24 in all) sent from the GOP controlled house to the DEM controlled senate were killed. Al and Amy are the ones wasting tons of the people’s money. The lame congress is in the senate.

      • GE = Good Election

        @OMG…thank you…..

        About time someone has a comment that has some truth in it!!!

        I just wanted to say…..GE is NOT the “Evil” empire people make it out to be!

        They are ONLY taking the tax breaks that the Govt has ALLOWED them to take.
        Do you own a house?
        Do you take a tax break from interest from your Mortgage?
        Do you or have you EVER taken a deduction from paying taxes? If you have….you can’t say much about GE….They are just doing what the GOVT ALLOWS them to do….Not that I agree with it….just my 2 cents…

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