Michele Bachmann dismisses call to drop out

White House hopeful Michele Bachmann on Wednesday rejected a fellow social conservative's plea for her to drop out of the race to support another long-shot candidate, Rick Santorum.

Influential Iowa evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats called Bachmann on Saturday and asked her to quit the race. On Tuesday, Vander Plaats personally announced his support of Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator, though his organization, The Family Leader, announced it would remain officially neutral in the race.

"My numbers have always been above Senator Santorum's, so it makes no sense for me to drop out," Bachmann said in an interview with CBS' "The Early Show."

In the latest CBS News poll released Tuesday, Bachmann received 4 percent support of likely Republican primary voters, compared to Santorum's 3 percent. Only former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman was behind them. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich led with about 20 percent each.

"We are not looking at the national polls we are looking here in Iowa and here in Iowa, the tide has turned and an electric light switch gone off and we have tremendous momentum here in Iowa," Bachmann said.

The Minnesota lawmaker said she is the only Republican candidate in the race who can defeat President Obama and stand up to him in a debate.

"I'm the only one that will be able to debate Barack Obama on the stage and defeat him and I think it's very important that we have a candidate that can go toe-to-toe with Barack Obama," she said.

Full CBS News coverage: Michele Bachmann

21 Photos

Michele Bachmann on the campaign trail

[cmart6]

The threat that Ron Paul, best-known American propagandist for our enemies, poses to our national security, his desire to disarm America, his opposition to any defense in the war on terror, and his acquiescence in an Iranian nuclear weapon should be the focus of the Iowa electorate.
The Obama-Paul line of accommodation, apology, and appeasement towards radical Islam and Iran. "...for you to say maybe in a year they might have a weapon, there's a lot more saying they don't have it." The only evidence that Paul will accept is an atomic weapon in Iran's hands. His policy of preemptive surrender and submission to radical Islam is the blueprint for national suicide for the U.S. The un-Paul is Michele Bachmann. She is as smart as a whip and tougher than steel--the little lady with a spine of titanium. She is loved by patriotic Americans; she is hated by the jihadist's "useful idiots."

[Justin-Rogers]

Wait a minute! Wasn't it Bachmann who said on a nationally televised GOP debate that ANY ONE of the GOP candidates could beat Obama?

[cmart6]

Why should MB drop when she is only 4 pp beyond the leader and Santorum trails at the back of the pack?

We Ask American Iowa Poll 12/20/11
utomated - Date of Poll: Bachmann 15%; Gingrich 16%; Paul 19%; Romney 18%;
http://weaskamerica.com/2011/12/21/down-the-newt-chute/

[Harem_Love]

If Bachmann believes she has even the remotest chance to beat Obama, she's delusional.

The last thing this country needs is an irrational, delusional, christian extremist with an itchy trigger finger on the button.

Her constant spewing of inflammatory rhetoric is dangerous and just plain irresponsible.

No.

[DryCreekDraw]

I will vote for Michele Bachmann for President of the United States of America. You are welcome to do the same. Thank you.

[classysinger]

I think that Vander Plaats as well as others in Iowa have a problem with a woman being the nominee and ultimately President. If Bachmann were a man, Vander Plaats perhaps would have endorsed her. The implication of his endorsement of Santorum is clear. Santorum has always trailed in the polls and compromised his conservatism to support moderate Arlen Spector's presidential candidacy. Vander Plaats had more reason to support a fellow evangelical and "consistent conservative" in Bachmann. She not only won the Iowa Straw Poll but was the first to sign his Marriage Pledge, and even poured water publicly for all the candidates at The Family Leader Thanksgiving debate forum. His endorsement really "makes no sense" except that he must have a problem with a woman in the White House. The fact that Bachmann has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to conservative values as well as an increasing skill as a debater and campaigner is slowly starting to win over evangelicals that may have been hesitant for the same reason as Vander Plaats, if my theory is correct. Being a woman candidate and the only Republican candidate holding a currently elected office in D. C. who also sits on the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and is a proven "consistent conservative" is going to be a distinct advantage over the other candidates in selecting a Republican Presidential nominee. Maybe it is goint to take a woman to clean up the mess in Washington D. C. and the White House.

[mick7744]

But didn't GOD himself (or Herself tell her to run for president?

But then...God also told George W. Bush to run for president and to invade Iraq.

Hhhmmmm...

Michelle honey...you've been getting some really bad advice

[Samlv]

Her book will be a best seller. She's heading for a TV gig and north of $25K a pop for public speaking engagements/appearances which last less than a day each. Right next to $arah.

[hush_puppy]

Bob Vander Plaats, Michele, Rick are delusional at best!

[royalstar05]

It doesnt matter what she says. She is dead in the water.