Michele Bachmann Jumps into 2012 Race

On Monday, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota formally launched her bid to become the Republican presidential nominee in 2012.

First elected to Congress in 2006, Bachmann, a favorite of the tea party, is claiming the wind is at her back and a number of recent polls have found that she seems to be gaining momentum in recent weeks.

A poll released over the weekend from the Des Moines Register showed that she was battling former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts for the lead out in Iowa. The poll had Romney, the current front-runner for the Republican nod,taking 23 percent with Bachmann a whisker behind him with 22 percent. Businessman Herman Cain, another favorite of the tea party movement, took third with 10 percent while former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas tied for fourth with 7 percent. Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota stood with 6 percent, followed by former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania with 4 percent and former Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah with 2 percent.

Still, there is another candidate on the sidelines who may impact Bachmanns hopes -- former Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska. Palin, another favorite of the tea party movement, continues to leave the door open for a presidential bid. All eyes will be on the Hawkeye State when Palin vists there next week.

Speaking in her old hometown of Waterloo, Bachmann played up her Iowa roots and defended the tea party movement, proudly embracing the label.

My voice is part of a much larger movement to take America, said Bachmann. We can win in 2012 and we will win.