Bachmann, Perry flocking to same event in Iowa

AMES, Iowa — It might be a preview of the months ahead in the GOP presidential race.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who just got into the race, and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, fresh off an Iowa straw poll victory, are competing for attention Sunday as their campaign schedules put them at the same event.

Both have the backing of tea partyers and evangelical conservatives. Both already are making big plays for those two important constituencies in Iowa.

Perry is making his first campaign visit to Iowa since announcing his candidacy Saturday in South Carolina.

Bachmann is reveling in her first-place finish in the test vote Saturday that proved her campaign has the organizational skills and volunteer network needed to compete strongly in the state’s caucuses next winter.