If Representative Michelle Bachmann runs for president, one thing is certain — it will be a lively race. The Minnesota Republican is known for her use of provocative rhetoric and does not shy from controversy, outlandish statements, or blaming the media when confronted with her mistakes. 

Bachmann, a Tea Party favorite, is often compared to that other darling of the extreme right, Sarah Palin. Both have a penchant for making rather public gaffes. However while Palin often gets heat for appearing under-prepared, Bachmann never seems at all flustered, providing non-sequiters with a polished smile and an icy calm that once caused a frustrated Chris Matthews to burst out “Are you hypnotized?”

Minnesota Republican Representative Michelle Bachmann let it be known that she is forming an exploratory committee to feel out a run for president, by posting an exclusive story leaked to CNN about her plans on her Facebook page.

While refraining from making any formal announcement, Bachmann told the people signed up as “friends” of her Facebook page that she had “read a little something on CNN,” linking to the article. The CNN article quotes an unnamed source as saying that Bachmann has been “telling everybody early summer” is when she planned to announce her candidacy, but the source feels it may happen even sooner.

Public employees across the country are reeling from what economist Robert Reich is calling a coup d’etat. In a surprise move Wednesday night, eighteen Wisconsin Senate Republicans passed a bill restricting public workers’ collective bargaining rights, over the strenuous objections of the lone Democrat present. Today the bill passed the Assembly 53-42 and is heading to Governor Scott Walker for his signature.   

No, we have not gone back in time to the nineties. 

Cher is not introducing a new generation to autotune with “I Believe”, “Friends” is not on TV for three straight prime-time hours, and DC bookstores are not being served with subpoenas to give up the titles of books bought by Monica Lewinsky.  But Newt Gingrich really is talking about running for president again.

It just keeps escalating. 

Today is the deadline by which Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has threatened to lay off 1500 state workers if the Democratic state senators don’t come back to work.

The Wisconsin state Senate Republicans must be getting lonely. They unanimously passed a resolution threatening their fourteen Democratic counterparts with police arrest if the senators do not return to Madison by four p.m. Thursday. The Democrats fled the state two weeks ago in order to block the Senate from voting on Governor Scott Walker’s bill limiting collective bargaining rights for public employee unions. If the Democrats do not return by the deadline, they will be found “in contempt and disorderly behavior” and may be taken into police custody, according to the resolution.

The cold air didn't dampen the spirits of the many protesters who showed up in front of City Hall Saturday for a rally in support of public employee unions in Wisconsin. Organized by MoveOn.org, the rally drew public workers from around the region who expressed concern that the proposed legislation by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker was part of a larger national trend that threatened workers everywhere. 

Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) drew loud cheers when he took the stage, proclaiming “Ladies and gentlemen my name is Anthony Wiener and I am a Wisconsin union worker, as all of us are today!”

Don’t let Haley Barbour fool you. 

Though he may refer to himself as “a fat redneck,” though he’s got a charming Mississippi country-boy drawl, though his white hair, apple cheeks and twinkly eyes may make you think of Santa Claus, the man is a perspicacious politician. Barbour spent Presidents Day in Iowa, meeting with state Republican Party officials and lawmakers in the state that serves as the presidential election starting gate.

Mitch Daniels is feeling popular these days. 

Not only does he have an ad starring New York’s own Jimmy “The Rent Is Too Damn High” McMillan, but conservative columnist George Will has predicted that he holds potentially great appeal to conservative voters as the anti-Obama. “If they’re disappointed with Mr. Obama, then a short, balding, unimpressive, uncharismatic, competent governor might be just the key,” Will wrote.

Mitt Romney is a man who has held multiple positions on the issues—sometimes on the same issue. In 2008, his campaign aides had a term they preferred for him: a "turnaround" artist. They were referring to his track record in reviving struggling businesses, but one could be forgiven for assuming it applies to his stance on social issues.

Romney has several things going for him which make him a likely contender in the upcoming elections. For one, he has money — lots of it.