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..."
Subscribe to 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"
Read more political coverage at The Week's 2012 Election Center.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - April 15, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - flamingos in flight, taxes, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published