From James Walsh:

Rep. Michele Bachmann is clearly one of the national stars of the Republican Party. Within seconds of her entering the main ballroom at 8 p.m., a throng of supporters, party faithful and news reporters and photographers packed the area around the stage. A woman primped her hair and touched up her makeup. Wearing a chocolate brown, sleeveless dress, this would be just the beginning of Bachmann's appearances. Sergio Gor, her press secretary, said she was to appear on Neil Cavuto's cable news show -- the first of at least six national news appearances scheduled for Tuesday night. While waiting to appear on Cavuto's show, Bachmann told a local reporter that what is happening across the country is a "Tea Party tidal wave." It's not a negative development, she said, but a positive one. It shows that people "are saying 'We believe in America.'" As she spoke to Cavuto, a supporter held a massive Bachmann sign behind her. A brief chant of "Bachmann, Bachmann, Bachmann," rose around her. Minutes later, the appearance over, Bachmann and her gauntlet of staff made a quick exit to an elevator to mic up for another national television interview upstairs. Bob Slomkowski from Hopkins was proudly wearing a blue Bachmann T shirt. He said he has supported her about 10 years, as long as he has lived in Minnesota. "She's my hero," he said. "She's a fighter." Slomkowski said he's not sure, however, that he would like Bachmann to take a leadership position in the House, if as expected, Republicans take control. He said she will be more able to fight for regular folks if she is not in such a post. "Look at Pelosi and Reid," he said. "They never introduce anything." Bachmann had her own ballroom at the Bloominton Sheraton Hotel. It opened at 8:30. By 9 p.m. it was packed, including a large contingent of juniors and seniors from St. Croix Lutheran High School in West St. Paul. Bachmann's daughters are students at the school, so the Bachmann camp invited all the school's 11th- and 12th-graders to attend Tuesday's election night festivities. Anna Kyllo and Amber Neubauer, both 17, were very glad they accepted. "It's crazy," said Neubauer. Said Kyllo: "It's cool to see all the people." Neither student has ever attended a political gathering before. Both said they wish they could have voted Tuesday. In two years, they said, they will be sure to mark a ballot. Will Bachmann have their votes? "Yes," Kyllo said, smiling. At 9 p.m., a commotion in the hallway outside the Bachmann reception pulled people's attention. Bachmann was on her way into the main ballroom again, this time for interviews with NBC's Brian Williams and MSNBC's Chris Matthews. Once again, Bachmann found herself a kind of interpreter, explaining the Tea Party wave that seemed to be capturing so much passion. It's people, frustrated that they have not been heard, finally being heard, she said. Their message: "Listen to the American people. They're speaking overwhelmingly tonight." And what are they saying? "Don't raise our taxes," Bachmann said.