Minnesota (US), June 14: Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, a favorite of the Tea Party movement, has said that she intends to make a formal announcement for a bid for the White House in 2012 soon.

According to the Bachmann, a third-term congresswoman and the first female contender to enter the 2012 race, has been leaning heavily toward a run over the past few months, visiting early primary states, raising money and railing against Obama.

"Our country needs a leader who understands the hardships that people across America have been facing over the past few years, and who will do what it takes to renew the American dream. We must become a strong and proud America again, and I see clearly a better path to a brighter future," Bachmann said in a statement issued through her new campaign.

Bachmann brings high energy, charisma and proven fundraising ability to the Republican race to nominate a challenger to Obama. She also is known for unyielding stances, biting commentary and high-profile gaffes.

While she hasn''t built the broad campaign infrastructure of some GOP rivals, she has gradually patched together a blend of tested and fresh-but-determined advisers.

She''s also shown an ability to raise money from a network of small-dollar donors, including 13.5 million dollars she put toward the nation''s most expensive House race of 2010.

Bachmann, 55, has spent the bulk of her political career in Minnesota and Washington as a minority party member, reveling in her role as a fierce voice of the opposition.

Her willingness to speak her mind -- she once accused Obama of running a "gangster government" -- has brought her both loyal fans and plenty of critics. (ANI)