BACHMANN BUZZ CONTINUES – AT 10:22 A.M. ET:  While Mitt Romney has improved his standing with Republican voters recently, and did well in Monday's debate, there is real buzz around Michele Bachmann, who was the standout performer.  From The Politico:

A Magellan poll commissioned by the website NH Journal shows Mitt Romney taking 42 percent of the vote in New Hampshire, with his nearest rivals — Ron Paul and Michele Bachmann — tied at 10 percent each. The rest of the field is in single digits.

There are signs, though, that Bachmann has growth potential:

The most surprising numbers emerged when we asked which candidates had the strongest debate performance ... Thirty-nine percent said Romney gave the strongest performance. But an impressive 28% said Bachmann did. No other candidate finished in double-digits. Among self-identified conservatives who watched the debate, Bachmann performed even better. Among this group, 37% said Romney had the strongest performance, while 33% said Bachmann.

COMMENT:  Now, consider this:  Down the road, should Romney be the nominee, he may well have to decide whether he wants Michele Bachmann as his v.p. choice.  There may be intense pressure from the conservative wing to take her, especially as the obvious choice, Marco Rubio, refuses. 

That will not be an easy decision for Romney because of two words:  Sarah Palin.  He will have in mind what was done to Palin during the 2008 campaign.  Bachmann has a history as a bit of a loose cannon, although she's recently exhibited admirable discipline and on-message deliveries.  But the 2008 experience will weigh heavily on any GOP nominee, as the media will go after Bachmann with the same intensity with which it pursued Palin.

At the same time, even liberal stalwart Dan Rather recently cautioned about underestimating Bachmann.  She's a trained lawyer, does vast amounts of homework, and has a very quick mind.  Watch her rise.

June 17, 2011