Michele Bachmann Memoir: Book Sales Lagging Despite Publicity Tour

Republican presidential candidate and Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-Minn.) memoir, Core of Conviction, has sold just 3,000 copies in the first two weeks since its release, according to Minnesota Public Radio.

The numbers from Nielsen BookScan, however, do not include discount retailers Wal-Mart and Sam's Club or bulk purchases made by political campaigns and outside groups. Bachmann's book was ranked 96th on Amazon.com's political bestsellers list and at 4,256 overall as of Thursday morning.

Bachmann has made numerous appearances on national television and held many book signings to promote her memoir. At a recent book signing, an 8-year-old boy approached her to tell her that his mother is gay and "doesn't need fixing." A YouTube clip of the encounter has had over three million views and has sparked controversy.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney boosted sales of his book, No Apology: The Case for American Greatness, in 2010 by asking institutions to buy thousands of copies in exchange for his speeches. The Huffington Post reported that the manipulation of the book-ranking process has been a common practice, especially among Republican-leaning authors.

Bachmann's memoir describes two moments where she thought her political career was over but suddenly rebounded, something the GOP candidate needs as she trails in the polls. She also praises liberal "Prairie Home Companion" host Garrison Keillor in the book despite his having made no secret of his dislike for her. Bachmann criticizes Former President George W. Bush for "embracing a kind of 'bailout socialism'" for signing into law the Troubled Asset Relief Program.