However her run for the presidency fares, Rep. Michele Bachmann has managed to dramatically boost her national profile, in terms of news coverage.

According to the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism, Bachmann has ranked eighth among political figures who have been covered by the national news media so far this year.

She has been the dominant figure covered in 121 stories, most presumably since she launched her presidential campaign this summer. It's her first appearance on the newsmakers' list.

Topping the list, not surprisingly, was President Obama, featured in 2,046 stories, followed by Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, featured in 328 stories.

In the Top 10 ranking of political figures, Bachmann trailed potential/withdrawn/fading presidential candidates Sarah Palin, Donald Trump and Newt Gingrich. She was one news story ahead of presumed GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney. Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, whose campaign appears to be sputtering, didn't show up in the rankings..