BUZZ, THY NAME IS BACHMANN – AT 9:37 P.M. ET:  We continue to monitor coverage of last night's debate, and the name that keeps coming up is Bachmann.  Clearly, she changed at part of the nature of the race last evening, and that is major in a presidential campaign.  From The Wall Street Journal:

If the 2012 Republican presidential race now has an established front-runner, it also has a potential spoiler.

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann's decision to jump into the 2012 field, which she announced during Monday's debate on CNN, could scramble the electoral math in several of the early nominating contests.

Her strengths among Iowa's evangelical and tea-party contingents are likely to make life tough on former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and others who need a win in the first-in-the-nation caucuses early next year to propel their campaigns.

"She's going to be a force to be contended with, no doubt about it," said Vin Weber, a former Minnesota congressman and top Pawlenty adviser, who has known Ms. Bachmann since she entered politics just over a decade ago.

His advice to Mr. Pawlenty: "Treat her with respect."

Others contend that Ms. Bachman, 55 years old, could use a strong showing in Iowa, where she was born, to build an advantage in soon-to-follow New Hampshire and South Carolina.

"If the large tea-party factions start coalescing around her here, she could really end up being a force in New Hampshire, especially if she comes out of Iowa with real momentum," said Kevin Smith, a GOP activist who runs a conservative think tank in New Hampshire.

COMMENT:  Bachmann has also had another effect:  She has made the race much more interesting.  She has a certain magnetism. She's obviously attractive.  She comes prepared, speaks very well, and is a learner.  She has a commanding style.

The inevitable question is whether Bachmann's strong performance will have an impact on Sarah Palin.  I think it has to.  There's room for both women, of course, but they appeal to the same constituency, and that means they must be considered competitors.  You may be sure the old boys' club in the media will play up that part.

More combat ahead.

June 14, 2011