In the final days of her eight-year tenure in Congress, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann took to the House floor Tuesday night to bid goodbye. It was a vintage Bachmann speech: a healthy dose of American exceptionalism, long dissertations on religious influence over government, heartfelt personal thank-yous and a few shots at executive power along the way.

Former state Rep. and GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer will succeed Bachmann in January.