"[4] Her visit planned for January 21 to the state of Iowa, which holds the first caucuses of the season, raised suspicions after several aides hinted that she would make a bid for the White House.

[5][6] In the midst of much speculation about a run for the presidency, Bachmann visited Iowa on January 21, 2011, to address the conservative group Iowans for Tax Relief.

"[7] Bachmann, born in Iowa and close friend to U.S. Representative Steve King, declared her happiness that Iowans would be the first to weigh in on the candidates: "I'm so excited.

"[7] Steve Scheffler, a Republican National Committee member and head of the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, said of a possible Bachmann run that "she could take a serious look at it.

"[7] Dave Funk, a Tea Party movement-sponsored candidate in the 2010 election, liked Bachmann's talk of American exceptionalism, saying, "It was almost like 'a new day in America' speech, like Reagan.

"[7] In addition to the speech, Bachmann visited the governor, Iowa's legislative leaders, and the state's GOP headquarters.

"[8] Bachmann was set to return to the state "to participate in a series of lectures for presidential candidate prospects held in Iowa in April.

"[8] In the New Hampshire GOP 2012 Straw Poll, taken January 22, 2011, Bachmann placed fifth with five percent of the vote, tying Jim DeMint and following Mitt Romney (35%), Ron Paul (11%), fellow Minnesotan Tim Pawlenty (8%), and Sarah Palin (7%).

Among the notables she outpolled were Rick Santorum (3%), Newt Gingrich (3%), Mike Pence (3%), and Rudy Giuliani (2%).

[13] During a June 13, 2011, debate on CNN, Bachmann announced that she had filed to run for president, skipping the exploratory committee process.

[15] On Fox News Sunday on Fox News on June 26, 2011, show host Chris Wallace said to Bachmann, "The rap on you here in Washington is that you have a history of questionable statements, some would say gaffes, ranging from talking about anti-American members of Congress [to] on this show a couple of months ago, when you suggested that NATO airstrikes had killed up to 30,000 civilians.

[24] On August 13, 2011, she won the Iowa Ames Straw Poll with 28.6% of the vote, one point more than her nearest competitor, Ron Paul.

[25] The photo of her was perceived as unflattering, as it portrayed her with a wide eyed expression some said made her look "crazy".

[39] Commentators suggested that the error originated in that similarly named serial killer John Wayne Gacy was from Waterloo.

[45][47] At a campaign stop in South Carolina on August 16, 2011, Bachmann wished Elvis Presley a "Happy Birthday",[48] apparently believing that it was the anniversary of his birth.

[49] Bachmann received endorsements from: United States House of Representatives 'State legislators: Iowa' Commentators and activists Celebrities CEOs