Bachmann: 'I was the perfect candidate'

Rep. Michele Bachmann thinks that America missed its opportunity with "the perfect candidate."

The Minnesota congresswoman was asked by Bloomberg TV's Al Hunt which of the remaining candidates was the most conservative during an interview Friday, and said none of them measured up to her conservative credentials.

"I was. I was the perfect candidate," Bachmann said in response.

The congresswoman exited the GOP presidential race last month after finishing sixth in the Iowa caucuses — despite hailing from the Hawkeye State originally and winning the Ames straw poll there.

Pressed by Hunt as to which of the candidates still in the race she considered most conservative, Bachmann again responded by referring to herself as the "perfect" choice.

"America had their chance with the perfect candidate," Bachmann said. "But any of our candidates are going to be acceptable to the American people, and more than acceptable, because right now, if you look at the Gallup map that came out this week, President Obama is in big trouble all across the country."

The one-time presidential hopeful also said she hasn't made up her mind about a potential endorsement — although she doesn't believe it would have a major impact on the race.

"No, not soon. I just haven’t made the decision," Bachmann said. "Honestly, I don’t think endorsements make a lot of difference ... I’m looking at November. I want to make sure that our nominee wins. And so my goal is to be a unifying person who brings the factions together, because now primaries produce factions within a party. And my goal is to bring the Tea Party, evangelicals, mainstream, establishment, and also independents and disaffected Democrats."

The congresswoman declined the opportunity to critique her former opponents individually, saying instead she wanted to "stay above the fray." Nevertheless, she predicted the nomination could be settled soon, considering Mitt Romney's momentum and financial advantage.

"I think it could be fairly soon, but, you know, Ron Paul has said he will go all the way to the convention. Newt has said he will, also. Rick Santorum has said he will. But the practicality is money is a big part of it, and it’ll be up to the candidates whether they can pay," Bachmann said.

Bachmann announced late last month that she intends to seek reelection to her House seat in 2012.

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