Bachmann, at Marion Church, Dismisses Poor Poll Results

It hasn't been an easy two months for Michele Bachmann, going from the front of the pack in the race for the Republican presidential nomination to the back.

On Sunday, during an appearance at the in Marion, the Republican presidential candidate dismissed the significance of Sunday's Des Moines Register Iowa Poll, in which she placed a distant fourth place.

"The poll is a snapshot in time and our poll that we are looking at is January 3," Bachmann said of the Iowa caucus date, while speaking to reporters. "We are doing exactly what we need to do. We're meeting with Iowans all across the state."

After winning the Iowa Straw Poll in August, the Minnesota Congresswoman has slid to the back of the Republican presidential pack. In the Des Moines Register's Poll, only 8 percent of Iowans said Bachmann was their top choice. And a prominent Tea Party leader recently warned that her faltering campaign could damage their movement.

Bachmann spoke for 30 minutes during the church's 11 a.m. services, touching on her family's history and her Christian faith to about 180 people. Then she mingled and ate with potential caucus goers during a barbeque lunch that followed.

During the service, the congregation occasionally offered "Amens," particularly when Bachmann spoke of her views on abortion and her experience as a foster mother.

"Have you ever seen The Wizard of Oz? The first part of the movie is in black and white and all of the sudden it's in technicolor," she said. "That's how it seemed when I came to Jesus Christ."

Her message was overwhelmingly religious, and she voiced her stance on abortion, an issue she said she became passionate about after seeing "How Should We Then Live," a film from the theologian Francis Shaeffer.

"He said how a person views the issue of abortion, of human life, will impact how they view other issues as well," Bachmann said. "So, my husband and I became profoundly pro life."

Ken Hansen, 55, of Marion, said it was reassuring to hear from Bachmann, who he pegged as a "real" Christian because the bible she read from during the service was worn and tattered.

"I really appreciated her," he said. "It was kind of nice to hear from her and how we got out (of services) sooner."

Hansen said he hasn't decided who he will support in the upcoming Iowa caucuses. He is currently considering Bachmann, Herman Cain and Rick Santorum. He and several other members of the church said presidential candidates need to harbor similar religious values to get their vote.

When Delores Korsno, 74, of Cedar Rapids, was asked whether she was concerned that Bachmann may not win the nomination, she said her faith in God was the answer. 

"I'm not worried," she said. "The Lord will put who he wants in there."