Michele Bachmann Michele Marie BachmannEvangelicals shouldn't be defending Trump in tiff over editorial Mellman: The 'lane theory' is the wrong lane to be in White House backs Stephen Miller amid white nationalist allegations MORE knows one thing — she can raise a ton of money from all those who can’t wait to hit the "Send" button on their computer.



And she found out in her last election that money talks. Rep. Bachmann (R) raised over $13 million for her little ol’ House race in Minnesota.



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Why is this so important this early? Because she can remain on the scene and play in the early-primary and -caucus states for the next year. She has already proven that she can get free airtime making crazy statements; now she can buy it for soft, gauzy ads in Iowa and New Hampshire and South Carolina.If Sarah sits it out, Michele is the Tea Party gal and will soak up the money and the attention. Heck, Sarah might endorse her.As a Democrat, thank you Lord. As an American, this is sadly embarrassing.





Michele Bachmann knows one thing — she can raise a ton of money from all those who can’t wait to hit the Send button on their computer.



And she found out in her last election that money talks. Rep. Bachmann (R) raised over $13 million for her little ol’ House race in Minnesota.



Why is this so important this early? Because she can remain on the scene and play in the early-primary and -caucus states for the next year. She has already proven that she can get free airtime making crazy statements; now she can buy it for soft, gauzy ads in Iowa and New Hampshire and South Carolina.



If Sarah sits it out, Michele is the Tea Party gal and will soak up the money and the attention. Heck, Sarah might endorse her.



As a Democrat, thank you Lord. As an American, this is sadly embarrassing.



As the face of the Republican Party, she is a disaster. The faster she exits the political scene, the better for its image. No question she could help some candidates like Mitt Romney and hurt her fellow Minnesotan, Tim Pawlenty. If she siphons off votes in the Iowa caucus, in particular, these may be Pawlenty votes. In any case, she steals from his limelight and makes him go even crazier right than he already has so far.



Take a look at the ads in Iowa from 2008 — wow! All the candidates were trying to “out-right” each other on abortion, gay marriage, guns, slashing government, you name it. Mike Huckabee certainly scored big with the Chuck Norris endorsement.



The 2012 ads will scare the hide off an elephant.



Michele will drive all the Republicans who really want to put a reasonable face on their party stark raving nuts. Every time she opens her mouth, they will be covering their ears.



Meanwhile, the Democrats will be sitting back smiling, singing, "Michele, ma belle," while wondering what in the heck this world is coming to!

Peter Fenn is a Democratic strategist.





