Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy is in many ways the complete package, illegally grazing his cattle — free of charge — on restricted federal land while spouting the requisite drivel about tyranny.

The bill was amended only slightly during Thursday's proceedings.

A survey of Iowa Republicans shows Rick Perry's support at 29 percent, by far the highest among the field. The next highest level of support was Bachmann's 17 percent.

The other Minnesotan in the race, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, had a stronger showing, yet not as strong as some of her recent results have indicated.

Late last month former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty made an appearance on the popular MSNBC show “Morning Joe.” The interview was timed to coincide with a major foreign policy speech that the GOP presidential hopeful was slated to give at the Council on Foreign Relations later that day.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is the top pick to win the Iowa caucuses, garnering support from 21 percent of respondents, according to a new poll by Public Policy Polling. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and businessman Herman Cain tied for second with support from 15 percent of those surveyed.

Palin’s “One Nation Tour” is stirring speculation that she will enter the race for the Republican presidential nomination, in which she and Bachmann would compete for much the same constituency.

When Republicans from around the state flocked to the Ramada Mall of America last Saturday, there appeared to be little question who would win the race to replace Brian Sullivan as Minnesota's man on the Republican National Committee.

Pawlenty garnered 5 percent support among those Republicans surveyed, while Bachmann saw her 6 percent total matched by U.S. Rep. Ron Paul.

With U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann's appearance in Iowa last weekend, speculation is growing that she may enter the race for the Republican nomination in the 2012 race for president.