AMES, Iowa (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann says that her 48 days as a candidate have convinced her that Iowans will always be social conservatives.

The Minnesota congresswoman says she'll never apologize for being a social conservative and says her campaign will focus on her opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. She also says that her religious faith will be the cornerstone of her campaign, and she's finding that Iowans agree with her.

Bachmann reminded the crowd of activists Saturday at the Iowa straw poll in Ames, Iowa that she was born and raised in Waterloo. She says everything she needed to know she learned in Iowa. She says that background gives her a deep understanding of the views of Iowans, and that's been reinforced by her campaign for the GOP presidential nomination.