Bachman hopes to emulate Iron Lady

Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has said she will emulate former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in a speech to convince American veterans she would make a strong commander-in-chief.

Ms Bachmann offered a glimpse yesterday of her foreign policy views in the speech to the American Legion’s national convention, in her home state of Minnesota.

She spoke of efforts by former US president Ronald Reagan to confront the Soviet Union and communism, and pointed to the strong campaign Thatcher headed to regain control of the Falkland Islands.

“It took two very strong leaders on the world stage, one a woman and one a man, to reverse the course of their respective countries,” Ms Bachmann said. “We should heed the lessons that they hold for those who seek to wreak havoc on peace across the world today.”