Bachmann launches first TV ad in Iowa

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) launched the first TV ad of her presidential campaign in Iowa, drawing on her roots in the state and her fiscally conservative credentials.

The ad, which is clearly targeted toward Iowa's Republicans — it mentions the Ames Straw Poll and its date — offers an upbeat introduction of Bachmann and a brief rundown of her GOP bona fides.

"I know that we can't keep on spending money that we don't have. That's why I fought against the wasteful bailout, against the wasteful stimulus," Bachmann says directly into the camera.

"I. Will. Not. Vote. To increase the debt ceiling," she says at the end of the ad.

The spot is the first of Bachmann's only weeks-old campaign, but clearly seeks to build on the political momentum she's gathered in the past month, especially in Iowa, where she formally announced her bid for the Republican presidential nomination. A poll last month suggested she's a close second choice of Republican caucus-goers, behind former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R).

Bachmann isn't the only candidate to air her first ad in the Hawkeye State; former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), who's also vying for a strong showing at the straw poll and at next year's caucuses, released a new ad earlier this week.

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