Bachmann plays it safe in first campaign ad

Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann has unleashed her first 30-second spot. The ad, slated to air through the weekend in Iowa, takes the slow and steady route. Bachmann begins by covering her birth and upbringing in Iowa, motherhood, and her status as a "former tax lawyer" and a "small business job creator." Then, she goes in for the kill.

After covering everything that makes her relatable to the common man, the congresswoman drives home the fact that she fought against the bailout and stimulus. She says, (with purposeful pauses between each word) "I -- will -- not -- vote -- to -- increase -- the -- debt -- ceiling."

Watch the ad below:

Bachmann certainly played it safe here. She focused on her personal qualifications, then launched into the actions that solidify her as a fiscal conservative (a value that helped get Republicans elected back in 2010).

New York columnist John Heilemann appeared on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" today and said, "[Bachmann] is demonstrating day after day that she can be more mainstream, in terms of her presentation."

Bravo, Bachmann. Another win for you and the campaign.