Bachmann faces uphill battle on the Hill

Bachmann victory
Rep. Michele Bachmann speaks to a crowd after winning her congressional race against DFL candidate Tarryl Clark at the Sheraton in Bloomington, Minn. on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010.
MPR Photo/Caroline Yang

The newly elected Republican majority in Congress meets next week to choose its leaders. They'll elect the Speaker of the House, the majority leader, the whip and a few lesser known posts including "conference chair."

The conference chair is the fourth position in the House Republican caucus, and it's the one Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann hopes to win. But in spite of her national profile and unmatched fundraising prowess, Bachmann appears to be the underdog in the race.

MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Molly Hooper, who covers Congress for the Washington, D.C. newspaper "The Hill," about the political dynamics within the GOP in the House caucus, and Bachmann's chances of becoming conference chair.

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