Candidate bio - Michelle Bachmann

Michele Bachmann - suspended campaign January 4

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  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican Representative Michele Bachmann is being probed by the Office of Congressional Ethics for allegedly misusing campaign funds, media reports said on Monday. Full story
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Profile: Michele Bachmann

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann was born April 6, 1956 in Waterloo, Iowa – a point she emphasizes frequently in her campaign for the presidency. She was raised in Iowa, and later, Minnesota, before graduating from Winona State University in 1978. She earned her law degree from Oral Roberts University and pursued post graduate studies at the College of William and Mary. Bachmann worked as a tax attorney before taking time off professionally to raise her five children, and 23 foster children. Bachmann was first elected to the Minnesota state Senate in 2000 and was elected to Congress in 2006. During her time in the House, Bachmann emerged as one of the most visible opponents of President Obama’s healthcare law, and founded the House Tea Party Caucus.

Full name:	Michele Marie Bachmann (nee Amble)
Date of birth:	April 6, 1956, Waterloo, Iowa
Family:	Married to Marcus Bachmann, 2 sons, 3 daughters, raised 23 foster children
Religion:	Evangelical Christian
Education:	B.A. Winona State Universit (1974), J.D. Oral Roberts University (1978), LL.M., William & Mary School of Law (1986)
Resume:	Tax attorney (1988-93), Minnesota state senator (2001-07), U.S. representative (2007-present)

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Social: From the field

Profile: Michele Bachmann on the issues

Jobs Bachmann's jobs plan calls for repealing President Obama's health care and Wall St. reform laws, along with cuts to tax rates and government spending, and loosened regulations, particularly on energy production.
Taxes Bachmann has called for reducing the number of tax brackets and making the code "simpler and fairer." She opposed a two-year extension of the Bush tax cuts, in part, because she favored a permanent extension of those rates.
Budget Bachmann opposes raising the debt ceiling under any circumstances, and was a signatory to the "Cut, Cap and Balance" pledge calling for a cap on the level of government spending, and a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution.
Regulations Not available
Entitlement programs She has said Medicare and Social Security should be preserved for current retirees, but has called for unspecified reforms for younger Americans.
Health care reform Bachmann has been a foremost opponent of President Obama's health care law, and has vowed to not rest until it's repealed.
Foreign policy Bachmann was a leading critic of the U.S. airstrikes to aid rebels in Libya.
Immigration Bachmann signed a pledge to build a two-layered fence along the whole border between the U.S. and Mexico by the end of 2013.
Energy/Environment Bachmann pledged to get the price of gas under $2/gallon if elected. She favors new permits for oil drilling, including in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, and would encourage new natural gas exploration.
Abortion Bachmann calls herself "100 percent pro-life ... from conception until natural death."
Same-sex marriage Bachmann supports amendments to the U.S. constitution and state constitutions to ban same-sex marriage.
Climate change Bachmann has called the notion of man-made climate change "manufactured science".

Video: Meet the Candidate: Michele Bachmann

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Slideshow

1. Getty Images
  The political life of Michele Bachmann
  A look at the political life of the third-term Minnesota congresswoman who's running for the GOP nomination.