With the apparent move by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) to at least dip her toes into the Presidential race, one has to logically ask the question of whether she might cause some trouble for any White House bid by Sarah Palin.

Both women are very popular within Tea Party ranks and on the conservative side of the Republican Party.

But you can't vote for more than one person.

Both are also wildly unpopular with Democratic voters, though many Democrats are probably hoping that each woman gets in the race, fully believing neither could defeat Barack Obama in 2012.

This week definitely saw a bump in activity on the GOP side, which has been strangely quiet in recent months, even though the 2012 battle isn't that far away.

On Monday, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty made clear he's ready to run for the White House, as he started an exploratory committee, a step Newt Gingrich took (with some hiccups) earlier this month.

As for Bachmann, she could be an interesting candidate. The Minnesota Republican has shown the ability to raise big money, and there is certainly room right now for a more-conservative GOP hopeful in the race.

The Des Moines Register newspaper on Thursday was touting her as maybe the "next Mike Huckabee."

For those who have forgotten, Huckabee won the Iowa Caucus in 2008, getting 34% to 25% for Mitt Romney, with John McCain in fourth. McCain ultimately won the nomination, later choosing the little-known Palin as his running mate.

As Bachmann talks about a possible run, Palin continues to be silent on the issue, even as she takes long distance pot shots at President Obama.

But weighing in on issues isn't the same as getting organizers in various states ready for a Presidential run, and so far, Palin does not have an organization set up in Iowa.

Meanwhile, other names like Gingrich, Barbour, Huntsman, Trump, Paul and more are out there on the GOP side.

Maybe we are finally seeing this race bubble to life. It might not seem like it, but the clock is ticking steadily towards the Iowa caucuses.

As I liked to say about elections, every minute you waste right now as a candidate is a minute you will never get back.