By Eric Roper

In her first debate since a failed bid for the presidency, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann went head-to-head Tuesday with her DFL opponent Jim Graves in a conversation that frequently turned testy over Obamacare, entitlements, a bridge and the best routes to job creation.

Graves, a hotel owner and business man, sought to portray himself as a pragmatic moderate who understands first-hand how business works. Bachmann railed against the dangers of larger government and repeatedly noted that she has her finger on the pulse of the district.

About 500 people turned out at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. The pro-Graves forces in the crowd frequently became vocal, particularly at one moment when Bachmann said she was not merely speaking in talking points.