The veteran pollster behind the Des Moines Register poll says Michele Bachmann’s Monday announcement could not have come at a better time.

"I don't know that you could orchestrate an announcement better than this" Ann Selzer, President of Iowa public opinion research firm Selzer & Company INC, told Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC’s "Andrea Mitchell Reports."

Bachmann’s announcement came just hours after the Des Moines Register poll of likely Iowa Republican caucus-goers revealed Bachmann, who received 22% in the poll is statistically tied with presumed presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney, who received 23%.

Selzer said the Minnesota congresswoman is "signaling that she's prepared to invest time in Iowa and [is] prepared to really cultivate a broader following than she gets just naturally."

But what about Romney?

"It's been clear to us in Iowa that Mitt Romney wasn't sure how he wanted to play this state at all... He's been here once this year, so he's not really signaling that he really wants to work the state," she said.

The poll also proved to be "demoralizing" to Tim Pawlenty’s campaign. The former Minnesota Governor came in sixth, with 6% of likely GOP caucus-goers.
 
But do not count him out, says Selzer.

"His favorability factor is really pretty good. People like him. There are very few who dislike him."