Michele Bachmann New Hampshire staffers quit

On the campaign trail with Felicia Sonmez

Michele Bachmann lost all of her paid New Hampshire staff Friday, as WMURPoliticalScoop.comfirst reported

The Union Leader.com follows with details that suggest what was already apparent: Bachmann has a one-state strategy and it’s called Iowa.

New Hampshire staffers weren’t so happy with that backseat treatment, which was spelled out in an e-mail written by Keith Nahigian, Bachmann’s campaign manager.
Republican presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., waves to the crowd before a Republican presidential debate Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, in Las Vegas. (Isaac Brekken - AP)

The Union Leader obtained the e-mail:

“Research teaches that it’s extremely hard for any candidate to win both Iowa and New Hampshire — it’s only happened twice in the modern primary era. Thus, for Michele, the early state is Iowa — and we plan to run aggressively and to win decisively.”

Bachmann has been no stranger to staff upheavel. She lost her campaign manager Ed Rollins in September, and has developed a reputation for staff departures in her congressional office. She plans 30 trips to Iowa in advance of the Jan 3. caucuses.

UPDATE: Bachmann’s campaign manager Nahigian responds to the reports:

“We have a great team in New Hampshire and we have not been notified that anyone is leaving the campaign,” he said.