Bachmann Rallies Tea Party Members in Iowa

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) - Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann is scrambling to harness support in Iowa this weekend, just six weeks before a critical test in the leadoff caucus state.

The Minnesota representative is headlining a tea party rally in Des Moines, capping her first full day of campaigning in Iowa since declaring her candidacy Monday.

Bachmann ranked near the top in a recent poll of Iowa Republicans and is trying to parlay that into a strong finish in the state Republican party's straw poll on Aug. 13.

She started the day with a stop at a popular diner in Iowa City, signed autographs and posed for pictures at Cedar Rapids' farmer's market, and then popped into the popular Taylor's Maid-Rite restaurant Marshalltown.

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