Walz v. Quist (and Bachmann?)

The current buzz in GOP circles is that with Quist in the race, other possible contenders for the GOP endorsement won’t challenge Quist because Quist has been blessed by U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R MN6).  As one prominent Republican told me, “Bachmann is the 800-pound gorilla in GOP politics.”

Officially, according to communications director Dave Dziok, Bachmann is not endorsing anyone — for Congress or for governor — before the party holds its endorsing conventions next year.

However, people tell me that the fix is in the First. Bachmann can’t officially endorse Quist, but he’s her pick.

Certainly the fact that Quist’s better half, Julie Quist, is Bachmann’s state director strikes some as significant. But I talked to the politically savvy Julie Quist last week, and she seemed most genuine in explaining that Bachmann was not endorsing in the First — while, at the same time, pointing out that she was not authorized to speak for Bachmann on the subject.