Poll: Bachmann constituents say she favors movement over district

Photo: house.gov

Rep. Michele Bachmann’s constituents have noticed that her increasingly prominent role as a high-profile conservative has focused her attention away from her district’s needs, but they don’t seem to mind.

Public Policy Polling surveyed (PDF) residents of Rep. Michele Bachmann’s district last week and found that more than half of her constituents approve of her job performance while at the same time saying she’s more interested in being a leader in the conservative movement than she is in representing the district.

Overall, 53 percent of constituents polled gave Bachmann a favorable rating and 41 percent unfavorable. In contrast, Sen. Amy Klobuchar got a 45-percent favorable rating (43 percent unfavorable) and Sen. Al Franken got a 37 percent favorable rating (53 percent unfavorable).

Bachmann bested both DFL challengers Maureen Reed (53 to 37 percent) and Tarryl Clark (55 to 37 percent).

PPP asked, “Do you think that Michele Bachmann is more focused on advocating for your district in the US House or being a national leader in the conservative movement?”

Less than a third, or 32 percent, said that she is focused on the district while 48 percent said she is more focused on being a leader in the conservative movement.

Only 37 percent thought Bachmann was an extremist and 36 percent thought she was too conservative. 56 percent said she was just right. And inexplicably, 8 percent thought she was too liberal.