On “Meet the Press” Sunday, Iowa straw poll winner Rep. Michele Bachmann was asked to make the case that she has the “judgment and experience” to be president of the United States.  Bachmann listed several qualifications — her work as a tax attorney, small businesswoman, state senator in Minnesota, and member of Congress — but the first thing she said was, “I have a lifetime of experience.  I’m 55 years old.  I’ve been married 33 years.”

It’s not unusual for Bachmann to cite the success of her marriage as one of the reasons voters should have confidence in her as a leader.  Doing that has brought attention not only to her husband, Marcus Bachmann, but also to the role he has played in her career.  Voters are still getting to know Michele Bachmann, and her own speeches have sometimes put her marriage center stage.