IOWA STUNNER – AT 10:18 A.M. ET:  A new poll shows Michelle Bachmann virtually tying Mitt Romney in Iowa, where the early, and important, Iowa caucuses will be held.

Now, it is true that Bachmann was born in Iowa and has made some recent appearances there.  The significance of the poll lies not only in her rise, but in Romney's weakness.  From Andrew Malcolm at the L.A. Times's Top of the Ticket blog:

She hasn't even officially announced her presidential campaign yet, but already Rep. Michele Bachmann is virtually tied with Mitt Romney in the 2012 Iowa caucus polling season.

In the first summer poll, published just minutes ago, the Minnesota congresswoman who was born in Iowa has 22% to Romney's 23% lead in the still developing field of Republican presidential prospects, according to the closely-watched Des Moines Register Iowa Poll.

Business executive and tea party favorite Herman Cain finished well behind with 10% in the poll. No other Republican attracted double-digit support.

The former governor from next door Minnesota, Tim Pawlenty, lags at 6%.

Bachmann will appear on two of the Sunday morning talk shows. And then formally launch her run for the Republican nomination Monday in Iowa. After, she'll do the same in New Hampshire and South Carolina, three early states that have historically played major roles in deciding the nominees of both parties.

COMMENT:  I am aware, from information sent to Urgent Agenda by very knowledgeable readers, that Bachmann has a controversial past, and is disliked by many within her own party.  She has a history of being a loose cannon, and is hardly a team player.  The question is whether she can grow beyond some of the mistakes she's made.  So far, a chunk of the Republican electorate seems willing to give her a serious look.  We'll follow.

But do expect to see a press attempt to do to Bachmann what was done to Sarah Palin.  The difference is that Bachmann comes very well prepared, and is a skilled debater.  It should, at minimum, be fun.

UPDATE:  I just had a chance briefly to watch Michele Bachmann interviewed by Bob Schieffer on CBS's "Face the Nation."  Yes, Schieffer is a liberal, and some of his questions were petty, but most were fair.  I would rate Bachmann's performance as only average.  She was articulate, but maddeningly evasive, refusing to directly answer in a number of instances.  This is going to be a problem, as the liberal press dredges up old and sometimes questionable statements.  The same challenge is almost never thrown at Barack Obama.

June 26, 2011