How easy it is to impress today's Republicans.

Barry Goldwater weeps.

Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann received strong reviews from some top Iowa Republicans tonight but left them guessing about her intentions for the 2012 presidential race.

I live-tweeted her remarks. There’s also Register coverage at Iowa Politics Insider.

“I’m impressed,” declared Gov. Terry Branstad, after Bachmann’s speech to about 250 people at an Iowans for Tax Relief fundraiser. He said he doesn’t know whether she’ll run for president, “but she’ll certainly have an influence on the debate.”

Branstad hasn’t ruled out endorsing a candidate before the caucuses.

Steve Scheffler, a Republican National Committee member from Iowa and head of the conservative Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, also liked what he saw from Bachmann.

He said he has no idea whether she’ll run for president. “She’s definitely testing the waters and I think she could take a serious look at it,” Scheffler said. “She certainly would bring a lot of enthusiasm to the base.”

Apparently, that's all that matters to these people.