Dear Commons Community,

Michelle Bachmann announced yesterday that she would not seek re-election for a fifth term to her congressional seat in 2014.  Bachmann did not give any clear reason why she was leaving the Congress at this time. Bachmann announced her retirement in a video posted on her website and assured supporters her decision has nothing to do with recent ethics probes surrounding her 2012 presidential campaign and that she is confident she could win a fifth term. Bachmann beat Democrat Jim Graves in 2012 by just over one percent.

“My good friends, after a great deal of thought and deliberation I have decided next year I will not seek a fifth Congressional term to represent the wonderful people of the 6th District of Minnesota,” Bachmann said. “After serious consideration I am confident that this is the right decision.”

Gail Collins has a review of her tenure in politics:

“[Last year’s] presidential race was pretty much the peak of Bachmann’s career. Remember her high point, when she swept to victory in the Iowa straw poll? Which was followed by the low point of coming in sixth in the actual Iowa caucuses.”

In my opinion, Ms. Bachmann at times was an embarrassment to the Congress and  the Republican Party with her lack of command of facts and her wild assertions.  A lot like Sarah Palin in 2008.

Tony