Quotes of the Day

Every election Michele Bachmann one-ups her propensity for outrageous comments, and every cycle she somehow manages to eke out narrow wins in her exurban Minnesota district.

After winning her seat away from a strong Democratic challenger 50% to 48% in favorable Democratic conditions in the 2006 midterms, Bachmann should have had an easier run as an incumbent in 2008. But her comments in October 2008 on MSNBC's Hardball asserting that then-candidate Barack Obama "may have un-American views" and that unnamed members of Congress should be investigated for "anti-Americanism" caused a national firestorm that earned her Democratic opponent $1.6 million in donations in the last month of the campaign. So Bachmann only squeaked by, winning 46% to transportation official Elwyn Tinklenberg's 43%.

The experience, however, has not taught Bachmann to be quiet. This year she has been at the forefront of the Tea Party movement and one of the President's most vocal critics. Hardly a week goes by when Bachmann isn't on the cable news shows throwing, and cashing in on, verbal bombs, such as her recent suggestion that Obama might be impeached: so far this cycle she's raised an astonishing $11.1 million. Her outspokenness, though, has as usual painted a rather large and appealing target on her back for Dems.

Bachmann's opponent on Nov. 2 is State Senator Tarryl Clark, who is the No. 2 Democrat in the Minnesota Senate. In Clark, the Democrats have found a strong candidate and a talented fundraiser, raising $5.2 million thus far this cycle — quite a haul for a first time federal candidate. Clark has accused Bachmann of wanting to dismantle Social Security and Medicare after Bachmann called for a "reorganization" of the entitlements in the face of record deficits, but the charges haven't stuck much with voters. A July Survey USA poll of the district found Bachmann leading Clark by 9 points, 48% to 39%. A September survey from the same group found Bachmann still ahead by 9 points, 49% to Clark's 40%.

Both women are strong on children's issues — a must-make appeal to the security moms of the Twin Cities' suburbs and exurbs. Bachmann is a mother of five who has taken in 23 foster children. She sponsored legislation in the Minnesota legislature establishing a task force on Internet crimes against juveniles. A prominent social conservative, Bachmann is vehemently opposed to gay marriage and abortion.

Clark is a mother of two who got her start in public service in 1983 when she launched the Young Adult Program at the Center for Youth Resources in Phoenix, Arizona, to help young mothers develop skills to get jobs. She's a long-time mentor of Girl Scouts and advocate for Head Start. At the YWCA, Clark developed and led a teen pregnancy prevention program. She also served as public policy director of the Children's Defense Fund of Minnesota from 1995 to 1997.

Given the climate this year, Bachmann is likely to win reelection unless, as she did in 2008, she says something particularly outrageous that gives Clark an opening.

• Jay Newton-Small