Republicans Fear Another Bachmann-Style Candidate

“Republicans exhaled this week when vulnerable Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) announced her retirement from the otherwise reliable GOP district,” Roll Call reports.

“Their relief might not last long. In Minnesota, some Republican strategists fret that the state party’s quirky endorsement process could yield a ‘Bachmann 2.0’ candidate — and put the seat in play again.”

Stu Rothenberg disagrees: “Districts like this one don’t go Democratic in federal races (except, possibly, during Democratic waves) unless they are already represented by a longtime Democrat who has personalized the district by proving to voters that he or she is both independent and moderate.”