NORTH CONWAY — Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann was running late Sunday when she arrived at the Lobster Trap restaurant, but those waiting for her understood.

Traffic on Columbus Day weekend is often the worst of the year, and Bachmann’s campaign bus got caught in the middle of it.

“We could not be here on a more beautiful day,” Bachmann said. She said she was happy to be back in the state, her first visit to New Hampshire since June.

Bachmann was bringing her conservative message to the Mount Washington Valley Republican Committee. The crowd of about 50, which included visitors to the valley, was receptive.

Bachmann said she has a bill to repeal Obamacare, the federal health care legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010.

Saying that the legislation was killing job creation, she said its repeal is one of the biggest reasons she is running. The Minnesota congresswoman said she is going to make sure that 13 more Republican senators get elected, so the Senate is filibuster-proof.

“This is the new playground of the radicalized left,” she said of Obamacare.

Bachmann also said she would get rid of the Environmental Protection Agency.

“We have 50 EPAs; we don’t need it,” she said.

The U.S. Department of Education is also on her radar screen. Bachmann said she led a movement in Minnesota to get Goals 2000 overturned. The Department of Education, she said, sends money, but controls how it is spent.

“The federal government should not call all the shots,” she said.

In response to a statement by Lobster Trap owner Bill Cuccio about the negative consequences of ethanol production, she said the United States is the most energy-rich resource nation, with 25 percent of the world’s coal.

She said one of the largest natural gas finds is in Pennsylvania, and the EPA wants to shut it down due to concerns over fracking — hydraulic fracturing. The process involves mixing millions of gallons of water with sand and chemicals to allow natural gas to flow.

Under the Obama administration, Bachmann said, the United States can’t drill off the cost of Florida, yet China is bringing an oil rig 50 miles off the coast of Florida. “Why is it good enough for the Cubans and good enough for the Chinese, but not for us?”

Just legalize the access to energy, she said, and the country will be able to take care of its needs. In a response to a question by Conway resident Ray Shakir, Bachmann said she would only appoint judges to the Supreme Court who would abide by the original intent of the Constitution. Of the three branches of government, she said, the Supreme Court should be the least powerful. The people, she said, should be the most powerful.

“The Supreme Court,” she said, “think they make the law and own the country.”

The remark drew loud applause.

“I was very impressed with her,” said state Rep. Karen Umberger, R-Conway. Umberger said she thought Bachmann had a good handle on the issues.

“I’m not sure who I’m supporting,” she added. “I leave the door open for all of them.”

A group of about 14 motorcyclists with the Winnipesaukee Meredith Chapter of HOG (Harley Owners Group) pulled into the parking lot beside Bachmann’s bus, happy to get their photo taken with her as they held her campaign signs. Judy Gobeil of Westport, Mass., was pleased to get a hug from Bachmann, while a fellow rider had Bachmann sign his shirt.

Bachmann was heading to Zeb’s General Store in North Conway after leaving the restaurant.