Jill Burcum: Two for Tea, but who will be the One?
But if only one of them can be 'The One,' which one will it be?
Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has three elections under her belt, an overflowing campaign war chest and a sky-high profile thanks to her numerous appearances on Fox News. So how much longer will she be content playing junior attendant to current Tea Party queen Sarah Palin? (If this were a sports competition, the announcer would be calling it a "key matchup to watch.") The Tea Party movement, which flexed its muscle this election year, is still small. Time will tell if there's elbow room in it for two similar, ambitious alpha-females mentioned as contenders for the 2012 Republican presidential ticket. So how do these two political headliners stack up? Here's a quick look at key metrics:
MOM APPEAL
Sarah Palin
Five kids; grandchild.Michele Bachmann
Five kids; 23 foster kids.Edge:
Toss-up. Neither can out-mom the other.CATCH PHRASE
Sarah Palin"Mama Grizzlies."Michele Bachmann
"Nation of slaves." (From a 2010 Colorado speech bemoaning big government.)Edge
Palin. Ferocious-but-cuddly rally cry nicely updates and inspires soccer-mom demographic.POLITICAL RÉSUMÉ
Sarah Palin
Mayor of Wasilla; one unfinished term as Alaska governor; failed vice-presidential bid.Michele Bachmann
Six years in Minnesota state Senate; elected to three terms as U.S. House of Representatives.Edge:
Bachmann. Hasn't quit mid-office. Just thumped the latest Democrat who tried to knock her off.EDUCATION
Sarah Palin
Bachelor's degree in communications, University of Idaho.Michele Bachmann
Undergrad from Winona State; law degree from Oral Roberts; Master of Law degree from College of William and Mary Marshall-Wythe School of Law.
BEST FLAME-THROWING COMMENT
Sarah Palin
"The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel.'"
