Palin rival starts the White House race but where's Mama Grizzly?

Starting gun: Michele Bachmann, above, in the New Hampshire debate, and her Republican rival Sarah Palin
12 April 2012

Sarah Palin coined the term Mama Grizzly as a description of herself as an aggressive and protective Right-wing female politician.

But the former governor of Alaska was missing when a possible Mama Grizzly rival shone as the only woman in a seven strong line-up of Republican presidential hopefuls.

Political commentators praised Michele Bachmann's performance last night in New Hampshire. The Representative for Minnesota has outspoken views and is a leading light in the Tea Party movement, an ultra-conservative protest group which champions small government and individual freedoms.

Ms Bachmann, 55, is seen as a credible threat to other candidates courting core Republican voters. She used the debate as a platform to formally announce she is running for the presidency next year which could further shake up a volatile fight for the party's nomination.

"We cannot risk giving President Obama four more years to dismantle our nation. We must act now," said Mrs Bachmann in a fundraising letter sent within an hour of her announcement.

"That's why I've made the decision to get in this race," said the former lawyer, a mother of five and foster parent to more than 20 girls. Her husband Marcus runs a Christian counselling clinic. But she could be eclipsed by the darling of the Right, Mrs Palin, if she decides to run.

The seven Republicans who shared the stage were plainly more interested in criticising Mr Obama than one another.Mr Obama remains popular but could be vulnerable due to the economy, high unemployment and petrol prices.

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney was the front-runner going in to the debate. Recent polls show Mr Romney to be the Republican in the best position to defeat Mr Obama but it is not clear that he can win over the party's Right wing and secure the nomination.

Mr Romney looked calm and steady, criticising the President on the economy and health care while rarely being forced on the defensive. "It was a very friendly debate to say the least, which helps Romney, said Republican adviser Greg Mueller. But he added that a stiff challenge to Mr Romney from the Right "is there for the taking".

The other participants were Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, former Speaker Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul of Texas, former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum and businessman Herman Cain.

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