Bachmann’s campaign puts all bets on Iowa

It’s make-or-break in Iowa for GOP presidential contender Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), her campaign manager, Keith Nahigian, said in a briefing message laying out her early-state strategy.

“She has to win Iowa and move on from there,” Nahigian said in a video shared with Bachmann’s supporters and the media. “The most important thing is our structure and our numbers in Iowa, and our voter ID in Iowa.”

{mosads}He added that a huge infusion of both cash and national support would follow from a win in Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses.

The strategy video seemed to confirm what has become evident in recent weeks from Bachmann’s almost singular focus on Iowa: Without an Iowa win, it would be intensely difficult for her to maintain the momentum to carry her through the rest of the primary season.

Bachmann, who was born in Iowa and represents neighboring Minnesota in the House, demonstrated an ability to connect with the state’s voters in August when she won the GOP Ames Straw Poll, narrowly edging out Ron Paul.

In the briefing video, Nahigian conceded that the campaign would not be sinking major resources into New Hampshire, which holds the first primary of the season shortly after the Iowa caucuses.

But he said South Carolina, another early state, would be a major opportunity because Bachmann appeals to many of the state’s core constituency groups: constitutional conservatives, social conservatives and “big defense” supporters.

“She is the only candidate that unites all of them,” Nahigian said.

Recent polls in South Carolina have shown Rick Perry in the lead, with Bachmann ranking third or fourth.

To watch Bachmann’s campaign strategy video on HillTube, click here.