FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Of all the Republican candidates in tonight's tea party debate... so-called tea party queen Michele Bachmann probably has the most at stake.
It wasn't so long ago that Bachmann was a GOP favorite. She started raising Republican eyebrows after a strong debate performance this summer and a victory in the Iowa straw poll a few weeks back.
But all that was before Rick Perry launched his campaign. And since Perry - another conservative, tea party favorite - has joined the race and grabbed the spotlight, the question on a lot of people's lips these days is "Michele who?"
Many thought Bachmann was too restrained at last week's debate - which was mostly a back and forth between Perry and Mitt Romney. Also, some say she hasn't been able to capitalize on that straw poll win.
In CNN's latest poll, Bachmann receives a measly 4%. That's way behind Perry at 30%, but also behind others who poll in the double digits - like Romney, Ron Paul and Sarah Palin - who's not even a candidate.
So look for tonight to be a "do or die" moment for the Minnesota congresswoman - either she finds her footing again and the campaign picks up speed... or it could be over before it starts.
My guess is one interested viewer of tonight's debate might be Sarah Palin. If Bachmann doesn't do well… well, who knows.
Here’s my question to you: How can Michele Bachmann reestablish herself as a serious contender at tonight's debate?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Dawn:
It would help if she took off the fake smile, stopped the rhetoric and answered questions honestly. When she doesn't have an answer or a plan she avoids the question with her "Obama is a one term president" hollering.
Frances:
She can't! Perry has out tea-partied her. It was hard to do, but he did it.
Larry in Denver:
It’s too late, unless of course Rick Perry collapses (from a bout of Social Security ponzi), Mitt Romney becomes the poster child for Obamacare and there are no other new challengers. One and done. You slip, you fall, you can’t get up. See ya, Michele!
G.:
Not to sound mean but Bachmann loses her credibility almost every time that she opens her mouth.
Kim on Facebook:
She's done. Republicans are now infatuated with Pretty Ricky.
Dave in Phoenix, Arizona:
She can't, because she never was. You cannot run around making ignorant and moronic statements and expect people to take you seriously.
Ken in Atlantic City, New Jersey:
She can't re-establish herself. The media have already decided to call her a psycho or put her in the sideshow. She is a federal tax lawyer, a businesswoman, and a congresswoman but that does not seem to be good enough.
Richard in Oak Harbor, Washington:
Michele Bachmann like Sarah Palin at best can only succeed as a vice presidential running mate in a beauty contest where substance has no real importance.
Ann in Charleston, South Carolina:
Why do we want Michele Bachmann to be a serious contender?