Washington Bureau

Cantor to Rise in GOP Leadership

Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-Va., appears to have no opposition in his bid to become the next Republican whip.

Cantor has been calling members to solidify support, his chief of staff Rob Collins said, but no names have surfaced to challenge Cantor, who currently serves as the chief deputy to Republican whip Roy Blunt of Missouri.

Blunt announced he would step down from the leadership post after Republicans lost at least 19 House seats in Tuesday’s elections.

Minority leader John Boehner of Ohio intends to keep his job and faces no formal opposition.

Some Democrats said Republicans, left with a smaller minority in the chamber, would become more conservative. But Collins said if Cantor were to rise in the GOP leadership, it should not be taken as a sign the conference is moving to the political right.

“We are not worried about the conference becoming more conservative or more moderate. We are concerned about making our party more relevant than their party,” Cantor said.

The Republican conference is to elect its new leaders November 20.

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., is seeking the House Republican conference chairmanship, the party’s No. 3 position, which is being vacated by Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla.

“(The conference) is reassessing how we present our ideas and principles to the American people and looking for a way to reenergize not only our ideas and our legislative proposals but also reenergizing the grassroots,” Collins said.

--Neil H. Simon
  1. It is absolutely unbelievable that John Boner is still the Republican Leader in the House. Boner has showed no leadership and is largely responsible for the House Republicans poor showing in the elections.

    Mike Pence has lead conservative revolts against Boner's profligate earmarks and support of the $700 billion Wall Street Bailout, and he can lead the Republicans back to their principles and back to the majority.

    Mike Pence should be the Republicans' #1, not their #3. Paul Ryan should be House Republican conference chairman, and John Boner should be sent to sit in the corner.
    Posted by on 11/08 at 07:09 PM
    2. Page 1 of 1 pages
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