Could Michele Bachmann lose her House race?
A new poll from Bachmann's Democratic challenger has good news for critics of the conservative star
"Despite her national fan base and a massive war chest, Rep. Michele Bachmann may be in more danger than most suspect," says Alex Seitz-Wald at Salon. The Minnesota Republican and former presidential candidate has easily held her state's conservative 6th congressional district since winning the seat in 2006, but a new poll from Democratic opponent Jim Graves has the candidates statistically tied, with Bachmann leading by a slim 48 percent to 46 percent. The momentum seems to be in Graves' favor, with his support jumping three points from a June poll, independents swinging heavily in his direction, and Bachmann's approval ratings plummeting. At the same time, the Democrat's poll shows that only 38 percent of voters in the district even know who Graves is. And the wealthy hotelier has just $350,000 in his war chest versus Bachmann's $2.2 million. Can Graves pull off an upset, or is Bachmann's political demise just a liberal fantasy?
Bachmann may want to update her résumé: Minnesota's right-wing darling is "in serious jeopardy of losing," says Doug Barry at Jezebel. But when you think about it, this is "not altogether unpredictable given Bachmann's summer of tragic press quippings" about the government being infiltrated by the Muslim Brotherhood, among other craziness. But really, it's the flight of independents and the absence of the usual vote-splitting third-party candidate that's most worrisome for Bachmann. "Fox News is probably warming her a mug of cocoa" as we speak.
"Fare thee well? Michele Bachmann suddenly in danger of losing..."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
She'll pull out the win: "The portion of the media that runs on Bachmann-hate" is thrilled about this poll, but remember, it's from a Democratic pollster at the behest of the Graves campaign, says Kerry Howley at Slate. Graves himself is the sort of "moderate, market-loving, pro-choice, libertarianish Democrat" that might have some crossover appeal, but history is against him. Bachmann "has always been divisive, and she always ekes out a win." Besides, if her nutty ways haven't already "driven constituents from her corner, one wonders what will."
"Hotelier Jim Graves wants to make Minnesota boring again"
Either way, the next two months will be entertaining: This race is at best a toss-up, but Graves' poll does add to the evidence that Bachmann is Minnesota's least-popular politician, says Aaron Rupar at the Minneapolis City Pages. Still, she has millions in her war chest, and she's certainly not going down quietly. "What tricks does the wily incumbent have up her sleeves between now and November? Not gonna lie, we can't wait to find out."
"Bachmann and Jim Graves now neck and neck as Michele's favorability tanks"
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Read more political coverage at The Week's 2012 Election Center.
-
The best dark romance books to gingerly embrace right nowThe Week Recommends Steamy romances with a dark twist are gaining popularity with readers
-
The ocean is getting more acidic — and harming sharks’ teethUnder the Radar ‘There is a corrosion effect on sharks’ teeth,’ a study’s author said
-
6 exquisite homes for skiersFeature Featuring a Scandinavian-style retreat in Southern California and a Utah abode with a designated ski room
-
The billionaires’ wealth tax: a catastrophe for California?Talking Point Peter Thiel and Larry Page preparing to change state residency
-
Bari Weiss’ ‘60 Minutes’ scandal is about more than one reportIN THE SPOTLIGHT By blocking an approved segment on a controversial prison holding US deportees in El Salvador, the editor-in-chief of CBS News has become the main story
-
Has Zohran Mamdani shown the Democrats how to win again?Today’s Big Question New York City mayoral election touted as victory for left-wing populists but moderate centrist wins elsewhere present more complex path for Democratic Party
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ ralliesSpeed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardonTalking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidentsThe Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred