Just 22% approve of the job performance of Republican congressional leaders according to a new Pew Research Center poll, down from 33% two weeks ago.  Those are some low numbers.  Low enough to be comparable to the extremely unpopular Judy Martz, Montana’s most recent Republican Governor. Martz nose-dived to an approval rating of 20% and decided not to run for re-election.

Even though Judy Martz was the most unpopular Governor in Montana history, Republicans seem drawn to the Judy Martz model of candidate.  After all, TEA Party Congressman Dennis Rehberg has already publicly voiced his support for Michele Bachmann at a Republican dinner earlier this year.

Here’s the video:

Not sure why his handlers were quick to try to spin him back from that statement.  Perhaps they’re Ron Paul supporters.

We do know that Bachmann and Martz share many traits beyond just stupidity and nut-job politics.  Like Judy Martz, who often refused to talk to reporters and demanded they submit questions in writing in advance, Bachmann has begun avoiding reporters who she believes will ask hard questions.  Both Republicans are known for their outrageous public gaffes, their belief in forcing their fundamentalist religious views on others, and their insistence on wearing nude pantyhose with sandals.

This kind of thing must appeal to GOP men.  Bachmann has been compared to Sarah Palin, while Martz is rumored to be featured on the wall Great Northern Town Center in Helena, as a nude bordello dancer, below, in what is known in political circles as “the Naked Judy Martz Mural.” The full mural can be viewed here.

The women are not exact clones, however.  At least we have no knowledge of Bachmann covering up a homicide. And when a T-Paw aide called Bachmann “sexy,” she said she took it as a compliment.

Martz, not so much.  When the mural appeared, the Governor made her top aide drive her down to see it and declared it wasn’t her:

“I’m a very modest person, no one would ever see me like that. My husband doesn’t ever see me like that.”