Cashing in on political controversy

Rep. Michele Bachmann’s campaign is touting the fact they raised more then $1 million in just 25 days. CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash reports that coverage of Bachmann’s controversial accusation of Muslim Brotherhood infiltration in the U.S. government no doubt fueled the fervor donors displayed last month.

Despite criticism from congressional members on both sides of the aisle, Bachmann relentlessly defended these claims all while collecting campaign donations. “Even if she loses on the policy,” says Salon.com reporter Alex Seitz-Wald, “she can still win on the politics.” The Minnesota Republican stands to benefit in terms of fundraising for the upcoming election, as well as within the ranks of her party.

Seitz-Wald reports that Bachmann doled out over $60,000 to Republican candidates in the 2010 election cycle. Her campaign contributions no doubt curried favor within her party. Coupled with her leadership of the Tea Party caucus, Bachman landed herself a seat on the House Intelligence Committee—despite her lack of experience in that department.

The money is still coming in for Bachmann’s campaign, but there is apparently a change of attitude after the allegations she made about a radical Islamic infiltration and Clinton aide Huma Abedin’s association with the Muslim Brotherhood. A Republican leadership aide recently conveyed that “loving her is no longer a litmus test for your conservative credentials.”