Michele Bachmann's rapid rise to national prominence is a product of media savvy, clear focus, and above all, good timing. In the period from 2008 to now, when the Republican Party became enthralled with its most radical elements and essentially turned the party over to them, leading those elements to demand even more power, there was a need for new faces who could represent this fringe. You had to be unsullied by association with the Republican leadership, be pure in your conservative ideology, and be able to speak sincerely in the language of the party's right wing. Bachmann had it all in spades.
Among her problems, though, is that her career was built on social conservatism -- the least popular part of the Republican agenda and the last thing the party wants to focus on when the economy is bad. In particular, Bachmann spent much of her time over the last decade warning against The Gay. So floating around out there are quotes where she calls homosexuality "part of Satan," and videos like this one from 2004, where she says that because of same-sex marriage becoming legal in Massachusetts, "group marriage, polygamy, and things much worse may not be far behind here in Minnesota." There's also the matter of the Christian counseling centers run by Bachmann's husband, which may or may not (depending on who you ask; he denies it) conduct "reparative therapy" to "cure" people of their gayness.
As we all know, public opinion has marched quickly to the left on this issue. Given all this stuff from Bachmann's career, she won't be able to avoid questions about her feelings about homosexuality. I can guarantee that she'll handle them by moving to the left herself, at least rhetorically. She'll say she respects everyone, but she just wants to make sure that marriage remains between a man and a woman. No more than that. Ask her if she still thinks gay people are in thrall to Satan, and she'll say she just wants to make sure that marriage remains between a man and a woman. Ask her if she thinks homosexuality is sinful, and she'll say she just wants to make sure that marriage remains between a man and a woman. Ask her what she thinks of Bravo's fall lineup, and she'll say she just wants to make sure that marriage remains between a man and a woman.
And inevitably, the other candidates are going to have to be asked similar questions, just so everyone is treated fairly (it'll happen in debates if nowhere else). And what will they all say? They just want to make sure that marriage remains between a man and a woman. Marriage is their gay Alamo, the last stand of a war they know they've already lost, after having given up all other ground in sight. Next to her, though, they'll all look moderate. And they'll try to change the subject as quickly as possible.
