Two (crazy) women, two different approaches to running for the GOP Presidential nomination in Iowa. Apparently, both Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann are taking a serious look at Iowa, and their opportunities there, but their road there is different. Sarah Palin is walking softly. She has sent aides to the state to meet with key grassroots activists. Palin herself isn't visible in Iowa much yet, and she is essentially bypassing the major establishment leaders in favor of the grassroots types. She has no specific staffers there yet, and she doesn't have anyone assigned to coordinate the state.
Michele Bachmann is going the other way on this one. The Congresswoman is meeting tomorrow with Governor Branstad and the GOP Chairman Matt Strawn. She is going to meet with state lawmakers as well. Bachmann also will give an anti-tax speech, meet with the Tea Party, and work the coffee shop circuit in Des Moines during her weekend visit. It's safe to say she's going straight to the top.
So, who has the better approach? History may mislead us here. Vice-President Biden had the deep support with state legislators in 2008, while Secretary of State Clinton had the backing of the popular former Governor (Vilsack). Labor lined up hard behind Clinton and former Senator Edwards. President Obama spent millions building a grassroots campaign that was unmatched. Senator Edwards built on top of his strong grassroots 2004 team. They finished first and second. I would say Palin has the better idea of these two, but let's temper that for a moment. She needs to engage herself here, and put serious staff in. If she does that, she has the right idea. If not, she's done. As for Bachmann, endorsements don't win caucuses, but they do help. She appears committed to the state right now. That's likely to help her down the road. Both have a lot of work to do against Huckabee and Romney, who finished first and second here in 2008.
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