Bachmann hinting at 2012 run

Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann said Thursday she plans to announce her decision on whether to join the Republican presidential race in June - during a visit to her hometown of Waterloo, Iowa, the New York Times reported.

Oh, goodness, being born in Iowa give every advantage - every advantage a girl would want to have, Bachmann said. There is no downside to being born in Iowa.

Seemingly tipping off her hand, Bachmann said she is hiring staff in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, the first three states in which voters will cast their ballots.

We have people on the ground, she said. We're doing every aspect that we need to be doing in this effort because our main goal is make sure we can turn the country around.

Bachmann, who was scheduled to speak to a Polk County GOP dinner, was held up in Washington by a House vote on reauthorization of the Patriot Act.

She also said she is confident in her ability to raise the money to wage a full-scale successful effort to be able to make it all the way to the White House. It will be daunting, but it can be done.

Earlier this week, Bachmann's Internet fundraising campaign brought in $260,000 in 30 hours, said her chief of staff, Andy Parrish.