Why Michele Bachmann didn't drop out

CBS

UPDATE: Looks like we spoke too soon. Bachmann decided overnight to leave the race.

--

DES MOINES, Iowa -- It's been a sad fall for Michele Bachmann in her native Hawkeye State. She won the straw poll here in August, a finish that briefly earned her frontrunner status for Tuesday's Iowa caucuses. But she finished in last-place among the major candidates contesting the caucuses on Tuesday, despite an aggressive retail campaign here that included a recent 99-county, ten-day bus tour.

Bachmann cancels SC trip, plans news conference

The Minnesota lawmaker also came in last in the three-way battle for the hearts of the social conservatives who drove Mike Huckabee's 2008 victory here, behind former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, who had a fantastic night, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who came in fifth. Santorum leaves Iowa with headlines that will mean a boost in fundraising and support for his cash-strapped, long-shot bid; Perry, who has the resources to lick his wounds and try again in South Carolina on January 21 if he wants to, is returning to Texas to reassess his campaign - a sign that he will likely soon leave the race.

Bachmann doesn't have Perry's resources, and in light of her terrible finish, you might expect her to quickly throw in the towel. Yet her apparent decision not to do so - she said Tuesday night that "there are many more chapters to be written on the path to our party's nomination" - should not be a surprise. (One note: Bachmann's campaign manager told the Associated Press that he didn't know if Bachmann was leaving the race - but Bachmann herself gave no indication to do so. And her Iowa Chair Brad Zaun said the candidate and her husband "both told me that they are going to South Carolina," adding, "They are going full steam ahead.")

For starters, there is a pair of debates coming this weekend in New Hampshire, and two more in South Carolina soon after that. Debates are free media for presidential candidates, and they've driven the GOP race thus far - something illustrated most notably in Newt Gingrich's debate-driven rise to the top of the polls. It costs Bachmann virtually nothing to participate in the debates, and she has little reason to leave the race before they take place.

And South Carolina, where Bachmann claims an "organized and energetic grassroots network," is (at least in theory) a good fit for Bachmann in light of its relatively conservative Republican electorate. (Other than the debates, she's skipping New Hampshire.) Even though Bachmann may not have the resources to run television ads in South Carolina, she's a big enough name to garner media coverage simply by showing up. And with Santorum lacking the resources to fully capitalize on his Iowa finish, it's not impossible that Bachmann scores a better-then-expected result in South Carolina that keeps her in the mix. Plus, Bachmann spent $35,000 to get on the ballot in the state, money that would be wasted if she dropped out now.

That's not to say that Bachmann's campaign isn't effectively over. But it doesn't cost her much to stay in the race for another couple weeks - and in doing so, avoid the humiliation of dropping out of the race after the first contest. Barring a shocking result, Bachmann is most likely to bow out soon after South Carolina, when she simply won't have the money to soldier on.

Full CBS News coverage: Michele Bachmann

21 Photos

Michele Bachmann on the campaign trail

[NinthSt78]

Saying it another way, borrowing terminology from "King's English", THOSE WHO LOVE PHEASANTS MUST EARN THEIR FEE.

[NinthSt78]

She may have a slightly different strategy of winning than her critics have anticipated. She may wish to prove that she is "good to the last drop" and that she has the courage and the fortitude and the strength to continue on against seemingly impossible odds. Few people have the ability of gritting their teeth and smiling and showing the patience and determination needed to earn their grades when others buy their grades. Geraldine Ferraro knows another name for IRON. Do you? If not, I would suggest you take the time to read her book, and if you are able to add it to your bookshelf it also will become one of your most valuable reference books. Learning and studying Italian is also a valuable resource if you have the time to do so. Sometimes it is not as easy as buying another meal at an Italian-American restaurant. If you want to gain their respect, you must earn it... --Ninth Street 1978--

[cmart6]

The only one humiliated by this stupid post is Montopoli, who doesn't realize that Bachmann has already dropped out of the race.

[vageorge]

obama is up to his socialistic maneuvering again. He is such a sorry pitiful excuse for a president. It is time for him to go either by being voted out along with his puppet Democrats, impeachment, or possible an American Spring. I hope not however the American public is sick of obama and will not put up with his dictatorship.
I am not a Republican but I refuse to vote for the demise of the U S A!! Many Democrats are refusing to back obama any longer as are the majority of the Republicans.
obama has a foreign backed campaign money machine so everyone has to get out and campaign against the tyrant in office. obama has made sure ACORN is back in business (just in time for his campaign)and funded under a different name. If we can prevent them from busing in dead voters and others we can defeat obama.
obama doesn't care about winning the election he wants to be a self appointed dictator. Someone should tell him that his style of ruling isn't being tolerated well among his Arab friends and countries.
They are not tolerating traitors ...Why should we?

[vageorge]

Jon Huntsman is a great choice for the presidential race! I haven't read a lot about him lately but if he could get the financial backing to get his word out many would choose him. He has the intelligence, inside information, and stamina to defeat obama. Huntsman has the diplomatic experience and respect needed. Something obama has never possessed. He stands firm and does not rattle or waiver. Also he does know obama's weaknesses.

[vageorge]

I am sorry to see Michelle Bachman leaving the race. I do hope she endorses and campaigns for Paul or Perry. She has been a great candidate but it just wasn't in the cards for her. Her fight to defeat obama has to continue as with any future candidates that leave the race as obama is a curse on our country

[jharderfsd]

AP wire just announced she's ending her bid. Now she can go back to her flaming *** husband...she's so delusional I'm actually surprised she's quitting this early...figured she'd milk it to the very last drop...Oh wait...that last drop was when she decided to try and run.....Thank God we don't have to worry about this mess getting into the White House...Perry will be next....and the chips will fall one by one....

[river4488]

Pray that she leaves the field after her absolutely dismal showing in Iowa. What an absolute nut who equates being president with being a King (or Queen) with unlimited power. Same as all those other clowns who on their first day are going to "repeal Obamacare." Oh, really? Presidents can do that? Wow...at least in Michele Bachmann's bizarre world.

[Soma_Sengupta]

She will quit. So will Perry.

[julesarcher1]

I think it's all that Balsa between the ears.