Bachmann, Pawlenty woo Iowa primary voters

CLIVE, Iowa, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., toured an advertising firm in Iowa Wednesday, calling for lower taxes and less regulation.

Bachmann, a presidential hopeful who was born in Iowa, said Americans need more healthcare choices and blamed the stock market's recent wild ride on Democratic President Barack Obama and members of Congress who voted for the debt-limit increase, which she voted against, The Des Moines Register reported.

"I want you to pick the type of health insurance you want to have, not what the federal government wants you to have," Bachmann told the 100 employees gathered to hear her speak.

Bachmann is considered one of the front-runners for the Iowa caucuses.

Meanwhile, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is struggling to show more than single digits in most polls, visited the Northside Cafe in Winterset Wednesday to try to convince primary voters he has the best chance of defeating Obama in the general election.

"Any bobblehead can stand up here and give you the Republican checklist of issues. The tough part is do you have the experience and the leadership and results to be president of the United States," Pawlenty said.