Bachmann pulls out of 2012 presidential straw poll

Rep. Michele Bachmann Photo: Colorado Independent

Rep. Michele Bachmann asked organizers of the Values Voter Summit presidential straw poll to remove her name from consideration on Friday. Bachmann’s opponent, DFLer Tarryl Clark, accused Bachmann of running for president in an email to supporters this morning. Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has been building a presidential bid team, also pulled out of the poll this week.

Clark’s campaign asked, “What’s she running for?” in a fundraising pitch Friday:

Today, Michele Bachmann will appear on the presidential preference ballot at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, DC before jetting off to Miami to speak to the ultra right-wing fringe Taking America Back Conference.

Bachmann is campaigning for candidates throughout the nation. She’s got a national PAC. She’s visited Iowa multiple times. She’s even got a fancy tour bus. It’s like my grandma used to tell me: If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, Michele Bachmann is considering running for President.

The presidential poll included 17 names, some who are rumoured to be considering presidential runs and others who are leaders in the conservative movement.

Bachmann gave a rousing speech at the summit this morning. The summit itself has generated controversy because of some of the statements by Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association, a sponsor of the weekend-long event.