Bachmann Battling for Leadership Spot

Michele Bachmann is campaigning hard for a Republican leadership position—much to the chagrin of the House’s top Republicans. Bachmann wants to chair the House Republican Conference, a major position that would make her the fourth-ranked Republican in the chamber. The only problem, in the words of Salon’s Alex Pareene, is that “she’s a prominent national Republican solely because she says insane things on television.” So House leaders are lining up behind the less crazy (and much less famous) Jeb Hensarling of Texas.

“This position requires someone who has a command of the issues, and has a history of successfully debating them,” wrote influential policy wonk Paul Ryan in a letter supporting Hensarling. Bachmann replied with her own letter arguing that picking her would please “the people who sent us here.” John Boehner still has yet to pick a side, but all his lieutenants, including presumptive majority leader Eric Cantor, are backing Hensarling. Click here for more.