Darlings of US right losing their appeal

THE Republican Party’s leading ladies are being increasingly sidelined in the race for the right-wing nod towards 2012’s election, as male candidates up the testosterone levels.

A few months ago, political chatter was of a Sarah Palin push for the White House being overshadowed by Michele Bachmann.

However, the “will she, won’t she” routine of the former Alaskan governor has grown old, while Ms Bachmann has slipped down the polls as her campaign falters.

It has left the door open for a two-horse race, with steeds of predictably familiar looks – white, male and with good hair and teeth.

In the course of two fiery debates over the last week, the position of Texas governor Rick Perry and his former Massachusetts counterpart Mitt Romney as frontrunners has been cemented.

The main loser in the process has been Ms Bachmann, a Minnesota politician with strong support among the socially conservative Tea Party activists.

Until recently, she had been riding high in the polls and was being talked of as a serious contender.

Then came developments that knocked her off course.

Media scrutiny led to claims that a counselling clinic she co-owns with her husband attempts to “cure” homosexuals.

Ms Bachmann’s anti-gay stance was known; she had stated her belief that homosexuality was a “disorder”.

But the new attention led to mockery from sections of the media.

It probably did her campaign no real damage – the section of the party from which she draws support from largely consists of those on the religious right.

Ms Bachmann’s campaign has faced a far more damaging event, the decision by Mr Perry to enter the fray.

The gun-toting, plain-speaking Texan has a conservative agenda to equal that of his right-wing rival.

Moreover, he is seen as having greater experience, campaigning skills and, crucially, more financial backing.

It led to a squeeze on Ms Bachmann’s support and fundraising reach, which resulted in an apparent rift within her team.

Last week, her two top advisers – seasoned campaign manager Ed Rollins and his deputy David Polyansky – stepped down.

Their departures took place just days before a crucial Republican candidates’ debate.

Ms Bachmann’s performance in the televised event was sub-par, with Messrs Romney and Perry emerging as the clear frontrunners.

A mini-comeback was staged at a second debate on Monday night.

The mother of five and foster parent of 23, managed to land blows over Mr Perry’s decision to vaccinate Texan girls against a sexually-transmitted disease associated with cervical cancer.

The issue is perhaps the only area from which Ms Bachmann can attack Mr Perry from the right.

Polling over the last couple of days appears to show that the Texas governor has not been badly damaged.

While the Republican fight played out on American TV screens, the apparent phony campaign of Ms Palin’s has continued apace.

On Monday evening, she told Fox News that she was “still very engaged” in talks with her family over potentially running for president.

It is the same line she has used for months when asked of her intentions, and even Ms Palin appears to be getting tired expressing it.

Her lucrative book and TV deals are not harmed by the publicity surrounding her political tease.

But Republican pollster Dan Judy thinks she has missed her chance to enter the race.

“The thing about Sarah Palin is you cannot predict what she is going to do. But if I had to guess, I would say she isn’t going to run,” he said.

As to Ms Bachmann’s chances, the pollster doesn’t rate them: “A few weeks ago Bachmann had won a straw poll and was looking good. Then Rick Perry got into the race and she faded in the last debate.

“She has a tough hill to climb.”