Bachmann Establishes Foreign Policy Credentials

After her strong performance in Monday’s debate, the nation is starting to take Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., more seriously as a presidential candidate. And her seat on the Intelligence Committee helps demonstrate her competence on foreign affairs, Politico reports.

During the debate, Bachmann said Defense Secretary Robert Gates failed to specify an important national security interest at stake in Libya, and she mentioned reports that Libyan rebels may be consorting with al-Qaida in North Africa.

House Speaker John Boehner was impressed. “I think she did a really good job last night,” he said Tuesday. “I think she’s a bright member of our caucus. It’s one of the reasons why I appointed her to the Intelligence Committee.”

To be sure, Bachmann will have to walk a fine line between demonstrating her knowledge on foreign affairs and revealing secret government information.