Michele Bachmann Bows Out

After a disappointing finish in the Iowa caucuses, Michele Bachmann announced this morning that she is suspending her campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.

The move is expected to have little-to-no impact on the New Hampshire Primary, veteran political scientist Dean Spiliotes said.

"Probably not in general, and certainly not here in New Hampshire," he said. "She didn't spend a lot of time here. So much is driven by this national narrative that it's been over for her nationally for a while."

For a brief time, Bachmann appeared to be a contender in New Hampshire. Following a strong debate performance in Manchester back in June, she rocketed into second place in the polls here, behind only Mitt Romney.

But she then failed to return to the Granite State for three months, a period which was capped by her in October. Recent polls have had her in the low single digits.

Spiliotes said those supporters Bachmann still has in New Hampshire will now likely turn to the resurgent Rick Santorum. But he doesn't think there are enough of them that it will make much of an impact.

One of Bachmann's highest profile supporters in New Hampshire is , chairman of the Granite State Patriots Liberty PAC. Attempts to reach him Wednesday were unsuccessful.

If Rick Perry were to drop out, Spiliotes said that could wind up having more of an impact. Perry has several high profile supporters, including former congressional candidate Sean Mahoney of Portsmouth and Deputy House Speaker Pam Tucker of Greenland.

"If Perry and Bachmann are both out, it will either help Santorum or Newt, and Santorum is fresher," he said. "Santorum may get a little bit of something. All he needs is a boost going into South Carolina. He doesn't need a big victory."

But for now, at least, it appears that Perry is staying in the race. He Tweeted earlier today "Here we come South Carolina!!!" Last night, he had said he was going back to Texas to reassess his campaign.

"Last night it was hard to figure out where he was headed," he said. "I don't know, maybe there's something better that awaits him in the South. But he has so many issues as a candidate, I'm not sure it will make a difference."