New Poll Has Jim Graves Beating Michele Bachmann

Jim Graves, the DFLer who is again challenging U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in the 2014 election, issued the results of a Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey showing him with a 2 percentage-point lead over Bachmann, 47–45 if the election had been held May 15, 2013, the day of the survey. (Click on the PDF thumbnail to see the questions and results of the survey, which the Graves campaign commissioned.)

Bachmann Ad
Bachmann's re-election campaign aired its first television ad of the 2014 season in the Twin Cities starting last week, 17 months before Election Day. The campaign is spending about $85,000—"not a huge buy," The Hill reported, "especially considering her past fundraising prowess, but it's exceedingly rare to see House candidates go on air during non-election years." (Click on the first YouTube thumbnail at the desktop version of this post or visit YouTube.com.)

Repealing Obamacare
Congress passed Bachmann's bill to repeal Obamacare by a vote of 229-195 on May 16, 2013. (Click on the second and third thumbnails to see Bachmann's remarks at the desktop version of this post or visit YouTube.com.)

Campaign Investigations
The FBI has joined the investigating of Bachmann's 2012 presidential campaign in Iowa, MinnPost reported. Her former aide, Andy Parrish, will "cooperate fully" when the FBI interviews him this week, Parrish's attorney said.

Tea Party Press Conference
Bachmann brought up Benghazi, Obamacare and the IRS scandal at a Tea Party press conference on May 16, 2013. Among the others speaking at the event were Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Rand Paul (both R-KY) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). (Click on the fourth YouTube thumbnail at the desktop version of this post or visit YouTube.com.)

Bachmann Tries Google Glass
Photos of Bachmann trying out Google Glass (see Storify above or at Storify.com) made the rounds online last week. The Washington Post blog The Fix tried to hold a caption contest but got no takers in its comments section.One reporter asked Bachmann which website she went to first while wearing the glasses. "Go to Drudge [Report]" was her reply.