Bachmann may accelerate campaign decision

WASHINGTON, May 17 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann said Tuesday with Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump skipping the presidential race, she may speed up her decision whether to run.

The three-term, conservative Minnesota Republican told Fox News she has received an "outpouring of interest" from people who want her to seek the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, and the exit of Huckabee and Trump from the political horizon have "changed the grass roots and what they're looking for."

"Our phones have been ringing off the hook, our Facebook has been lit up, our donations are pouring in and people are saying 'Michele jump in, we want you to run," she said.

Bachmann had said previously she was looking at a June deadline for making a decision but "possibly we may move that up."

The leader of the Tea Party caucus in the House, Bachmann said her decision will not be influenced by whether another potential candidate who is popular among Tea Party members, Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, decides to enter the race.