In the past, Michele Bachmann's migraines have affected her availability to vote in the U.S. House, and even hospitalized her. Could they be strong enough to derail her presidential bid?
Could migraines really affect Michele Bachmann's chances of becoming the Republican presidential nominee in 2012?
That depends on the extent of the problem and whether there is any evidence that Bachmann's headaches have made it impossible for her to do the job in the past.
Reports this week suggest that past migraines have forced Bachmann to miss votes in the U.S. House ... and have even sent her to the hospital.
Seeking to stop the story in its tracks, Bachmann released a statement insisting that "my ability to function effectively has never been impeded by migraines and will not affect my ability to serve as commander in chief."
History suggests that Bachmann's health issues likely won't derail her presidential aspirations. John McCain won the Republican nomination in 2008 despite battling skin cancer and questions about his age. In 2004, John Kerry overcame prostate cancer to become the Democratic presidential nominee. And Bachmann can always say, "Hey, Thomas Jefferson had severe headaches, too."
The fact that more than 30 million people in the country suffer from migraines could actually help Bachmann relate to voters through her struggles with the headaches.
Of course, the first question that any voter asks him or herself is whether a candidate is able to do the job for which they are running. If a specific example emerges of how a migraine hampered Bachmann's decision-making in the past, it could raise doubts and be a lingering problem for her throughout the presidential primary season.
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