Politics

Bachmann’s launches first presidential ad, aims for Iowa

Jeff Winkler Contributor
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For all the talk about Michele Bachmann being an “outsider” Republican presidential candidate, she’s certainly launching a very traditional ad and video campaign.

The Minnesota Representative launched her first presidential ad on Monday, aimed squarely for Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucus.

In the low-key ad, “Waterloo,” Bachmann hits all the key points that could make her a dangerous contender — she has Main Street roots, financial expertise, and is proven conservative leader on the national stage. Bachmann then declares:

“I. Will. Not. Vote … to increase the debt ceiling.”

The 30-second spot will begin running in Iowa immediately, according to Politico. The “significant ad by” according to Bachmann’s spokeswoman Alice Stewart, will air through the weekend. In the classic appeal to Iowians’ sensibilities, Bachmann follows in the footsteps of Tim Pawlenty, the only other candidate to purchase ad time in the Hawkeye State thus far.

Unlike Pawlenty, Bachmann’s YouTube page, which has been building up its library in the past week, is quiet and calm. Most of the videos feature Bachmann addresses the camera, directly, in appealing to potential voters. The tone and approach is certainly different than the Bachmann featured in media reports. According to a recent Des Moines Register poll, Bachmann is tied with Romney for first and her numbers in New Hampshire are rising fast.

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