Michele Bachmann says Palin won't influence her own 2012 decision

Michele Bachmann speaks during a Tea Party rally at the State House last month in Columbia, S.C.

/ Gerry Melendez,AP Photo/The State

The potential 2012 presidential candidate with the most to lose if Sarah Palin throws her hat into the Republican presidential primary is Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.).

The two women appeal to both fiscal and social conservatives. Both are beloved by the Tea Party. And they would be strong contenders individually to win in the Iowa Caucuses and South Carolina primary.

But Bachmann, who is at the beginning of her third term in the House of Representatives, would have to compete with Palin's massive star power, national name recognition and fundraising ability. Which raises the question, would Bachmann even bother to run if Sarah Palin joins the race to compete against President Obama?

In light of recent news reports that Palin is considering a run for the White House, CBS News asked Bachmann that question today just off the House floor.

"My decision won't be dependent on the governor's decision or on anyone else's decision" Bachmann said.

Bachmann would not say whether a Palin candidacy would make winning the nomination more challenging for her. She said, ultimately, the decision will be up to the voters and that it's still going to be a while before the GOP field is set.

Referring to Palin, Bachmann said, "I have a lot of respect for the governor and for all of the candidates and so we don't know how long it will be -- people will continue to jump in the race - it could still be this fall. We don't know."

When asked whether she had spoken to Palin herself, Bachmann said she would love to, but "I don't have her cell phone number."

Bachmann is expected to announce her plans to run for President next month, but is campaigning in Iowa tomorrow night and working to raise money for her candidacy online.

[Tennessee3501]

Both Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin are strong, independent, intelligent, attractive, articulate and accomplished conservative women. This terrifies the liberals who prefer their women barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen (actually, Michele and Sarah have both been there as evidenced by the fact that they each have five (5) beautiful children). Both Congresswoman Bachmann and former Governor Palin, ulike the liberals, will never abandon the women of Afghanistan to be terrorized and enslaved by the Taliban. They want to complete the mission whereas liberals want to "cut and run" and "let them wear berkas." Michele and Sarah will fight for the rights of women all over the world. My only problem is that if they both run, they will be competing for the same votes! However, if only one runs, liberals will have nervous breakdowns and be more verbally abusive than Ed Schultze was to Laura Ingraham!

[Zann-Zel]

Speaking as a "liberal" actually I prefer women to be like......oh......Secretary of State of the United States of America! : )

Hillary Clinton 2016

[JV1970]

Zann-Zel You shouldn't put too much trust in the secretary of state. Haven't you ever wondered why the Clintons didn't move back to Arkansas after Bill's time in office was over? I know it was years ago but you should google the Whitewater scandal in Arkansas. It was a phoney real estate deal that the Clintons were involved in while Bill was the governor of Arkansas. They bilked several people out of many thousands of dollars by selling them land that they didn't own in northern Arkansas. It was quite a scandal at the time! It is said that is why the Clintons left Arkansas!

[paulIorio]

Bachmann/Palin's potential candidacies have inspired me to write a humorous song called "REPUBLICAN WOMEN." Check it out here: http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=10677764&q=lo&newref=1

[daffy64]

Dumb and dumber.

[Zboes]

Dumb and dumber- Fits Obama/Biden perfectly

[TooComplex]

What makes this shrill, ignorant woman think she is even remotely qualified to be President of the United States? Her politics are extreme and her rhetoric is toxic. Even her constituents will turn away from her when her true views are known. What are the Republicans thinking?

[daffy64]

They're not. They're being emotional.

[justme2012]

We are thinking we don't want to be a socialist country like France.

[jimbom121]

She should care...they share the same brain.

[rambleingtree]

I can't wait to see what JV1970 has to say about this.

[JV1970]

My comment is both Bachman and Palin would make great candidates! Either one would be a great president! In fact I wish our government was full of nothing BUT people like them!

[san850]

JV1970, we KNOW you think Palin & Bachmann would make great presidents. That's what is so very telling about you and your inability to discern the difference between propaganda and truth.

[Wmpum2]

I don't believe Palin will run but I do believe Bachmann will and people might be surprised at the interest she will draw. I'm not predicting she will get the GOP nomination but I wouldn't be surprised (nor upset) if she did. Let's face it, unless the Republicans can come up with a "can't miss" candidate, Bachmann is as good a choice as they have right now. Normally, it is really tough trying to unseat a sitting president but this coming election is far from normal, to put it mildly.

[JV1970]

If the president continues to ignore the suffering of the American people due to the tornados and the floods by running around over Ireland and England drinking in pubs and partying and hobnobbing with royalty, it won't be hard! People will remember that next year when they go to the polls!

[mojitoman]

Don't you people realize that Bachmann is in cahoots with Mittens? Their staff are intermingled and work together. She is doing this to take away some of the Tea Party support for Sarah Palin which will allow Mittens to survive.

[Zann-Zel]

That's interesting if its true! I make a prediction then "Mittens" wins the nomination, then takes Bachmann as his running mate. Same game plan as last time, because the republicans really don't want to win this thing!

[babooph]

Her low IQ,delusions,& blowhard demeanor make he a strong candidate for the party base...she will run well in the south&country club areas...

[justme2012]

Her IQ is higher than Obama's. I bet she even knows what year it is.

[velma179]

Ah, I want both Palin and Bachmann to run. The GOP primaries will have so much less "sizzle" without these two.

I am so looking forward to the primaries, late night TV will be a treasure trove of great comedy.

Run girls, run.