Strategist: Bachmann Could Launch Exploratory Committee by June

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP/THE BLAZE) -- An aide to Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann says the tea party leader is likely to take the initial step in a White House bid.

Strategist Ed Brookover said Thursday that the Minnesota lawmaker could create a presidential exploratory committee as early as May. The first debates are May 2 in California and May 5 in South Carolina. Brookover says those events are factors as Bachmann decides when to make a campaign official, but adds the debates alone are not going to make her decision.

Bachmann has been traveling to the key early nominating states and lining up support.

Iowa state Sen. Kent Sorensen tells The Associated Press that he would run the crucial first nominating state for Bachmann should she run.

Bachmann acknowledged the media coverage of her exploratory committee on her Facebook profile today, posting a CNN story about it with a note to her online fans that said, "Read a little something on CNN...."

Bachmann spoke to Fox News today about her possible presidential run. "We've been very encouraged by what we've seen so far," she said.