Republican presidential contender Rep. Michele Bachmann on Sunday said she is polling well in Iowa — the site of the first GOP caucuses — because she was born there and has a natural connection to the state.
“I have a distinct advantage there,” the Minnesota congresswoman told “Fox News Sunday.”
She and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney are leading the GOP field, according to a poll from the Des Moines Register.
Mr. Romney is the front-runner with 23 percent of the vote, while Mrs. Bachmann has support from 22 percent. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.9 percentage points.
The three-term congresswoman, who is popular with the tea party, plans to launch her campaign in Iowa on Monday.
She told “Fox News Sunday” the economy is in trouble and she wants to fix it by repealing last year’s federal health care overhaul.
She also weighed in on same-sex marriage and abortion. She said voters, not a legislature, should be able to decide whether to allow same-sex marriage in their state. She also said she would support a federal constitutional amendment that overrules each state’s decision and bans the practice.
“I think it’s best to let the people decide on this issue,” she said.
Concerning abortion, she took a shot at Mr. Romney, saying he has a “history of varying on this issue.” Recently, he opted not to sign a pledge against it that she did sign.
“What people know about me is I do what I say and I say what I mean,” she said. “I am a fighter for the cause. … My goal is to take that voice to the White House, where it hasn’t been heard for a very long time.”
• Tim Devaney can be reached at tdevaney@washingtontimes.com.
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