Bachmann: I'm not dropping out

By: Rodney Hawkins
Topics: Campaign 2012

Republican Presidential candidate, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn. meets with patrons at the Nodaway Diner during a campaign stop, Dec. 28, 2011, in Greenfield, Iowa.

(Credit: AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

WINTERSET, Iowa - Rep. Michele Bachmann said Wednesday that no one has urged her to drop out of the presidential race, even as led two politically active Iowa pastors said an effort has been under way to persuade either her or Rick Santorum or Michele Bachmann to consider doing so.

The two pastors -- the Rev. Cary Gordon of Sioux City and the Rev. Albert Calloway of Indianola, both influential figures among the state's evangelicals -- reportedly said they have asked Santorum to consider quitting, and that they fear the two GOP candidates would split the evangelical vote. But Santorum surged into third place in a new CNN/Time/ORC poll, making the possibility of his departure extremely unlikely.

Bachmann said neither pastor has approached her and that she has no intention of dropping out. The CNN poll showed her with just 9 percent of the vote in Iowa, trailing all other candidates except Jon Huntsman, who has devoted nearly all of his time to campaigning in New Hampshire.

"There is no candidate that has a greater level of evangelical support across the state," said Bachmann, whose support has plummeted since she won the Iowa straw poll in August.

She added, "We have a strong groundswell of support and what we've seen in this 99-county tour is nothing short of a miracle. It's like a light switch was flipped on. So I think a lot of people are going to be shocked on January 3rd, and we are delighted with the support we are receiving."

In a subsequent appearance on Fox News, Bachmann said she's banking on support from voters who have not yet made up their minds. "Everything is so flux right now - about half of Iowans are completely undecided," she said.

Rodney Hawkins
Rodney Hawkins covers the 2012 presidential campaign for CBS News and National Journal.
Follow on Twitter »

23 Comments +

Add a Comment

See all 23 Comments


by unhappyconsumer2001 December 30, 2011 3:40 PM EST: Somebody PLEASE! Tell this nut job bachman ,who by the way can't seem to shut her big mouth long enough for any one to get a word in edgeways,that she is not,can not and will not be the nomineee for any office in the country.She really just needs to do like Tricky ricky Perry and save her self some time and money and get out!We need leadership!Not a post manepausal drumbeater!; Reply to this comment


by DdArcie December 30, 2011 10:15 AM EST: Spine of steel. Are you kidding? Did you pick that out of the Young Fascists Handbook?

I would like to see one video or article where Dr. Paul calls for disarming America. Just because he doesn't run around screaming that the sky is falling and frothing from the mouth doesn't mean he's weak.

This man is the only frontrunner that has served in the military and he has the overwhelming support of the troops and veterans. Why??? Because if you've seen firsthand what America really does when we bomb or invade a country then you realize how extreme the mainstream belief has become.

You are a Fascist and don't even know it, of course that has been the point of your Federally funded education.; Reply to this comment

by cmart6 December 29, 2011 10:27 PM EST

Ron Paul poses a threat to national security because of his insistence on disarming America and his acquiescence in an Iranian nuclear weapon. The Paul-Obama line of accommodation, apology, and appeasement towards radical Islam is a blueprint for U.S. national suicide. The un-Paul is Michele Bachmann, who 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."

Reply to this comment


by saggingbellyfat December 30, 2011 7:07 AM EST: I'm a patriotic American and on the contrary - I absolutely despise that lying ***** Bachmann.

And Iran knows that if it used a nuke against Israel it (Iran) would be turned into a glass parking lot. They're not going to do that no matter how many nukes they get.

This pattern of waging aggressive war by the United States - the gravest crime a country can commit, according to the Nuremberg Tribunals - must stop.

It's evil and it's insane.

RON PAUL 2012


by norcalruss December 29, 2011 8:17 PM EST: Bachmann: I'm not dropping out
+++++++++++++++++++++++
The nut case will after she comes in second to last in IA and DEAD last in NH.; Reply to this comment


by Lindag10 December 29, 2011 12:00 PM EST: Michele please don't drop out, you're way too entertaining. LOL; Reply to this comment


by stupa5 December 29, 2011 7:53 AM EST: but she is dripping out.... drop by drop!; Reply to this comment


by Independent1290 December 29, 2011 2:22 AM EST: Michele Bachmann is highly misinformed, discriminatory, loose with facts, bigoted, dangerous, and with all due respect, downright delusional. Her entire candidacy has only flipped the light switch on the level of hateful extremism that still remains in the Republican Party and this nation. When will we learn that we are all in this together? Bachmann and the Republicans, and religion for that matter, seek to divide and hinder the progress of society, and that is flat out wrong. The fact that it took the Vatican up until 1992 to finally admit the earth revolves around the sun versus the other way around and that the Bible has been in need of multiple revisions in order to ween out inconsistencies proves that we are literally allowing an archaic text written by confused old men to dictate modern society, and that in itself is appalling. And, If Jesus were around today, he would be appalled at the blatant hypocrisy and hate that comes out of religious institutions and Republicans today. It truly is heavy on the heart to see the pain these monsters inflict on people with their ignorance and intolerance. Goodbye, Michele, and hopefully you learned out there on the trail that there is an entirely different world outside of your sheltered, mythical bubble. Please try not to embarrass the 6th district and William and Mary anymore than you already have.; Reply to this comment


by polyaxial December 29, 2011 12:17 AM EST: be careful muslims, she is coming to get you! NOT; Reply to this comment


by Jaylah54 December 29, 2011 12:00 AM EST: Bachmann: I'm delusional. I'm not dropping out."; Reply to this comment


by grecko7 December 28, 2011 11:46 PM EST: Michelle doesn't have to drop out, she is already out, just doesn't know it...; Reply to this comment