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Romney and Bachmann 2012?

Romney wins the first debate, but Bachmann receives the biggest boost.

By Duncan Robinson Published 14 June 2011 19:19

The first Republican presidential debate had a clear winner: Mitt Romney. As the frontrunner, all Romney had to do was sit-tight, not say anything stupid and look like a potential president. Last night, he managed all three and, as such, won by default. Tim Pawlenty flunked his chance to attack Romneycare (attempting to give healthcare to the uninsured being Romney's Achilles heel, naturally), Newt Gingrich sounded like an angry nutcase and Ron Paul, well, is a nutcase.

US blogs, however, went wild for one candidate: Michelle Bachmann. Salon gave her a rave review. As did Time. Ezra Klein is a long-standing admirer, if not supporter. The main dissenting voice was Andrew Sullivan, who thought Klein and co were buying into a Bachmann Bubble.

Sullivan, however, is being a little unfair. Bachmann won't win the nomination. She has low name recognition and her views are too far to the right for most moderate voters. But that is not the point. Where Bachmann would come into her own, however, is on the ticket with a candidate like Romney, whom the Christian right of the party regard with suspicion. She brings the same Tea Party votes as Palin, without Palin's toxic baggage.

Like Palin, Bachmann is a God-fearing, child-rearing, gun-toting, pro-life voting, homo-haranguing right-winger. Unlike Palin, however, Bachmann is able to string a sentence together and, while in the main reprehensible, her views have an ideological framework to them. Bachmann would plug many of the holes in Romney's CV, without being as much as a liability as Palin proved to be.

Romney and Bachman 2012? It could happen.

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Tags: Michelle Bachmann US Election 2012

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12 comments

Wed, 2011-06-15 20:22 — Mark Bristow (not verified)

Romney and Bachmann in 2012?A nightmare scenario yet strangely fascinating.

Tue, 2011-06-14 21:07 — Sundip Meghani (not verified)

I believe this was the second Republican presidential debate, not first. Also it's a bit simplistic to label Ron Paul a 'nutcase' - he's actually a fairly popular Republican-Libertarian candidate with a lot of ex-Palin and Tea Party supporters.

Fri, 2011-06-17 16:22 — Maria111

What is truly fascinating is the competition for the idiocy (intentional) and pedestrianism. The GOP ‘presidential’ crowd is frightening by its lack of nobility. The majority of the ‘pretenders’ demonstrate the ignobility of spirit and expression.
The institutionalized hypocrisy produced some spectacular fruit.

Tue, 2011-06-14 21:21 — Ricardo1

@Gerry

Um, a Chinese leader of the free world? And exactly which party will they represent?

Sun, 2011-06-19 14:01 — Lox (not verified)

Duncan, you still haven't explained why Ron Paul is a nutcase. He's probably the least compromised politician in in America in terms of links with big business, bankers or any other special interest group: if there's one candidate-republican or democrat-who would actually make a difference to the US in terms of a less interventionist foreign policy and cutting down on pork barrel politics, he's it. So go on: why is he a nutcase?

Wed, 2011-06-15 10:05 — fairplay (not verified)

what's the definition of a nutcase? as in the case of ron paul? is it someone who speaks sense and isn't afraid to upset big business, the MIC and murderous US foreign policies because if it is i would say there are a few million nutcases out there right now.
the media are blatantly attacking Paul and his one real downfall is his age. but if he was 20 years younger he would romp home if given a fair media battle.
oh, and by the way mr robinson, you are a pleb. look that one up!

Wed, 2011-06-22 06:35 — Reuel (not verified)

Analysis is wrong. Just as in 2008, a good faithful conservative in the VP slot is NOT acceptable to christians.
Bachmann should be on the top of the ticket.

Bachmann-Cain perhaps.

Paul can't fullful the triple function of judge, prophet and commander-in-chief like Moses, David and Deborah.
I quote the bible because Paul also does so in his liberty campaign quoting 1 Sam.).

Sun, 2011-06-19 16:31 — fairplay (not verified)

you have to take into account that young duncan here is a junior on the NS staff so dont be too hard on him. he was probably really chuffed when he got this published, albeit being a load of crap. he has had chance to reply and give his reasons but he has probably gone back to the mail room where he belongs.

oh, and by the way, ron paul won the latest straw poll by a landslide this weekend. come on duncan, why is this nutcase so popular?

Wed, 2011-06-15 13:13 — Duncan Robinson (not verified)

It's true. I'm a paid-up member of the media elite, trying to bring down Ron "Definitely not a Nutcase" Paul.

Tue, 2011-06-14 20:54 — Gerry Tierney (not verified)

Looking forward to us caring more about China than America. When we can have a "leader of the free world" who doesn't believe in sky daddies I'll be a happy man.

Wed, 2011-06-15 19:19 — fairplay (not verified)

glad you admitted it. now give us reasons why he is a nutcase

Wed, 2011-06-15 19:54 — Fergus Pickering (not verified)

Gery Tierney, are you mad? Or do you just say it to annoy. I do not fancy kow-towing to the Chinese, thank you very much. I prefer Americans. They re like us. Chinese people aren't.