Bachmann Canceling S. Carolina Travel Plans, Holding 11a.m. Press Event, Sources Say She Will Suspend Campaign

Many speculated that Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann would end her campaign for the Republican nomination for president after a disappointing, sixth-place finish in the Iowa Caucuses. Especially considering it was the state she was born in and where she won the Iowa Ames straw poll over the summer leading to Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty's exit from the race. But despite the low finish in the caucus, Bachmann said last night she planned to continue her campaign this week in New Hampshire and South Carolina.

It appears Rep. Bachmann may have had a change of heart.

Multiple reporters from NBC first tweeted that Rep. Bachmann canceled her South Carolina travel plans, and CNN confirmed that Bachmann will be holding a media event today in Des Moines at 11a.m. Fox News is also reporting the same thing on its telecast.

AP now reports that Rep. Bachmann is indeed canceling her campaign trip to South Carolina, and her campaign manager Keith Nahigan would not confirm whether the Minnesota congresswoman intends to drop out of the campaign.

The New Hampshire primary is the next contest in the race. But Bachmann's strategy has her effectively writing off that Jan. 10 contest, focusing on the South Carolina primary on Jan. 21.

A senior Republican official with direct knowledge of the Minnesotta congresswoman's plans told the National Journal that Bachmann will announce that she will be suspending her campaign.

"The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Minnesota lawmaker, a favorite of the tea party wing of the party and a harsh critic of President Obama, realized after her sixth-place finish in Iowa’s caucuses that 'there was no viable way forward.' By suspending her campaign, Bachmann is effectively dropping out."

We'll keep you updated when the congresswoman makes her remarks.