Bachmann wrapping up Iowa campaign tour

Michele Bachmann
Republican presidential candidate, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn, with husband, Marcus, right, visits customers during a campaign stop at the Hy-Vee grocery store, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in Spencer, Iowa.
Eric Gay/AP

Most polls of likely Iowa Republican caucus-goers have Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann running well behind Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney with the vote just one week from Tuesday.

Still, Bachmann has been sounding confident throughout her last-ditch campaign barnstorm of Iowa and she's been keeping up an aggressive campaign schedule as she nears the end of her campaign tour of all 99 of Iowa's counties. She launched her bus tour more than a week ago following the final debate.

Bachmann was born in Waterloo and has been promoting herself as the only Iowan in the race. She also has been selling herself to Iowa Republicans as the most conservative candidate in the race.

Bachmann is predicting she will be where she needs to be by next week and that she will win the caucuses just like she won the Ames Straw Poll in August.

Political analysts say a strong showing in next week's Iowa caucus will be critical to the future of her presidential campaign. Short of winnning, it's unclear what percent of the vote she will need to continue on as a viable candidate in New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.