Bachmann (R-Mars) to kick off 2012 campaign by hiring a birther

RAW STORY

WASHINGTON – Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has all but made it official that she'll run for president in 2012. And the tea party darling's first hire for her campaign, according to CNN, will be a prominent Iowa birther.

On Thursday, Bachmann told ABC News, "I'm in for 2012," but didn't officially declare her candidacy. CNN reported on the same day that the Minnesota Republican has privately decided she'll mount a bid.

CNN also reported that, for her political director in the key state of Iowa, Bachmann intends to hire state Sen. Kent Sorenson (R), who authored a birther bill in the Iowa legislature this month.

Sorenson's four-line legislation declared that all presidential and vice presidential contenders must file their birth certificates along with affidavits of candidacy -- a clear wink and nod to the significant minority of conservatives who incorrectly believe President Barack Obama was not born in the United States and is therefore ineligible for the office.

Meanwhile, Bachmann has promised that the "first thing" she would do in the presidential debates is produce her birth certificate -- which, contrary to rumors, Obama has done.

Sorenson said earlier this month he would support Bachmann if she decided to run.

"There is a void out there that needs to be filled," he told CNN. "I hope she decides to run. She is somebody that has the credentials to fire up the grassroots. She would be someone who could unite different factions of the party. She is a strong fiscal and social conservative."