Post by Moses on Jan 9, 2006 9:22:10 GMT -5
Cantor attracting support for majority whip
By Patrick O’Connor
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the current chief deputy whip, was on the verge of locking up his bid to become majority whip Sunday night.
As of press time, Cantor locked up commitments of support from 105 of his Republican colleagues in the House, a source close to the third-term lawmaker said, well on his way to the 116 votes necessary to assume the title.
But it remains to be seen if there will be a race for him to win.
Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), the acting majority leader since Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) was forced to relinquish that title last September, is not required to give up his whip post in a bid to become the permanent majority leader, according to numerous Republican aides, allowing him to keep one post while vying for the other.
Conference Chairwoman Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio) is expected to send a letter to members by tomorrow outlining the rules for a race, said conference spokesman Sean Spicer.
Cantor began working the phones early Saturday afternoon, but not until he discussed his bid with DeLay and his wife, Diana Fine, the Cantor source said. Working from Richmond, Cantor was on the phone until 1 a.m. Sunday, talking to members on the West Coast, and he was back on the phones early this morning.
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), long thought to be Cantor’s chief competition, had not publicly announced his intentions to run as of press time today, and his office did not return repeated calls and emails for comment.
Members are trying to lock up support before their colleagues leave for a series of previously scheduled trips abroad, numerous aides said.
Cantor’s announcement of support came on a busy day for the two lawmakers battling to replace DeLay as majority leader.
Education and the Workforce Chairman John Boehner (R-Ohio) formally announced his candidacy to become the next majority leader today during an appearance on Fox News. He also sent a “Dear Colleague” letter to his fellow House Republicans Sunday, asking for their support in his bid to become majority leader.
Blunt sent his own letter to House Republicans on Sunday afternoon.
In their letters, both members expressed a commitment to the conservative vision of smaller government and a desire to unify the conference, which has sparred internally over a number of legislative issues since the 2004 election. But Boehner, who is running from outside the current leadership, painted himself as the reform candidate who is committed to a “renewal” of the Republican vision while Blunt was quick to cite leadership’s recent string of hard-fought legislative victories.
Boehner, who served as conference chairman under then-Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) before he lost the post in 1998, wrote that members need to “engage in a bit of renewal, as a conference.” With a focus on next November’s midterm elections, Boehner wrote, “We’ve had a tough run recently, some of it our own making. We’re concerned about the future of our majority. But I also believe that if we are able to renew our energy and our commitment to our basic principles, the best is yet to come.”
Blunt, meanwhile, wrote “the past six months have been some of the hardest for our majority,” but despite a series of obstacles, the House approved an extension of the Patriot Act, an almost $40 billion reduction in federal spending, an across-the-board spending cut, an extension of pre-existing tax cuts on dividends and capital gains and a bill to tighten immigration laws and security along with the U.S. border with Mexico. Senate action is pending on most of those bills.
With Blunt and Boehner locked in a race for the number two spot in the House Republican hierarchy, other candidates – including Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.) and Republican Policy Committee Chairman John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) – were expected to bow out.
The field could change considerably, though, between now and the election, a number of staff and lobbyists said over the weekend. The election is expected to happen after the Jan. 31 State of the Union.
"The issue is not who is the next majority leader, but where that leader takes us,” Shadegg said in a statement released by his office. “We need dramatic change and real reform. I will make my decision based on whether a candidate will deliver that change."
While Boehner made his television appearance early Sunday afternoon, Blunt opted to remain in his office calling individual members, said a source close to him on the condition of anonymity. As a member of the leadership, Blunt makes regular television appearances in support of the Republican agenda in the House, but he has decided to run his campaign for majority leader behind closed doors, the same source said.
On Saturday afternoon, he released a list of six supporters, which includes Reps. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Dave Camp (R-Mich.), Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.), Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Sue Myrick (R-N.C.), although an aide to a member of the centrist Tuesday Group today questioned whether Kirk had actually committed his support to either member. As of Sunday afternoon, Blunt’s office counts 24 or more other members who are working on his behalf.
Boehner similarly released a list of members Saturday. They include Reps. Melissa Hart (R-Pa.), John Kline (R-Minn.), Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), Jim Saxton (R-N.J.), Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio).
“Boehner has dozens of members who strongly support his candidacy who are making calls to other members on his behalf,” said spokesman Kevin Smith. “We are very excited and energized about the great feedback he has received just in the first 24 hours.”
The goal in assembling supporters, according to numerous GOP aides and lobbyists, is to build geographic and ideological diversity so that supporters can influence the fellow members of state delegations and ideological caucuses.
In painting himself as an alternative to the current leadership slate, Boehner told Fox News today that he and DeLay, who is often referred to as The Hammer, have very different personalities for governing.
“My theory is that you catch more bees with honey than vinegar,” Boehner said.
He also took an indirect shot at Blunt. In calling DeLay “one of the greatest leaders” in Republican history, he said, “No one has ever been a better majority whip than Tom DeLay.” Blunt succeeded DeLay in that capacity.
Bending to external pressure and his own political sensitivities, DeLay announced Saturday that he would not seek a return to the leadership. His announcement came days after former Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to felony corruption charges and agreed to cooperate with federal investigators in a bribery probe that could implicate members in both chambers of Congress.
“Time was the enemy,” DeLay told Fox News on Sunday after vowing to continue clear his name of money laundering charges in a Texas campaign finance case. “I realized that it was better for me to move aside.”
DeLay also said he was not being investigated in the Abramoff case and that he would not publicly support either candidate in the race to succeed him.
Abramoff’s plea agreement set a wildfire of speculation about which lawmakers would be indicted by federal investigators.
In response to those concerns, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) announced today that he and Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-Calif.) would begin work this week on a package to reform the rules that now govern member and staff interaction with lobbyists. Hastert spokesman Ron Bonjean said the Speaker was expected back in Washington on Tuesday and has canceled a trip to Asia that he was set to take later this week in order to work on the package.
The issue could even play into the leadership election.
Boehner and DeLay both dismissed the need for lobbying reform during separate appearances on Fox News. Blunt, on the other hand, wrote in his “Dear Colleague” that he supports some version of lobbying reform that would include enhanced penalties for members, lobbyists or staff who break the law.
By Patrick O’Connor
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the current chief deputy whip, was on the verge of locking up his bid to become majority whip Sunday night.
As of press time, Cantor locked up commitments of support from 105 of his Republican colleagues in the House, a source close to the third-term lawmaker said, well on his way to the 116 votes necessary to assume the title.
But it remains to be seen if there will be a race for him to win.
Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), the acting majority leader since Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) was forced to relinquish that title last September, is not required to give up his whip post in a bid to become the permanent majority leader, according to numerous Republican aides, allowing him to keep one post while vying for the other.
Conference Chairwoman Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio) is expected to send a letter to members by tomorrow outlining the rules for a race, said conference spokesman Sean Spicer.
Cantor began working the phones early Saturday afternoon, but not until he discussed his bid with DeLay and his wife, Diana Fine, the Cantor source said. Working from Richmond, Cantor was on the phone until 1 a.m. Sunday, talking to members on the West Coast, and he was back on the phones early this morning.
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), long thought to be Cantor’s chief competition, had not publicly announced his intentions to run as of press time today, and his office did not return repeated calls and emails for comment.
Members are trying to lock up support before their colleagues leave for a series of previously scheduled trips abroad, numerous aides said.
Cantor’s announcement of support came on a busy day for the two lawmakers battling to replace DeLay as majority leader.
Education and the Workforce Chairman John Boehner (R-Ohio) formally announced his candidacy to become the next majority leader today during an appearance on Fox News. He also sent a “Dear Colleague” letter to his fellow House Republicans Sunday, asking for their support in his bid to become majority leader.
Blunt sent his own letter to House Republicans on Sunday afternoon.
In their letters, both members expressed a commitment to the conservative vision of smaller government and a desire to unify the conference, which has sparred internally over a number of legislative issues since the 2004 election. But Boehner, who is running from outside the current leadership, painted himself as the reform candidate who is committed to a “renewal” of the Republican vision while Blunt was quick to cite leadership’s recent string of hard-fought legislative victories.
Boehner, who served as conference chairman under then-Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) before he lost the post in 1998, wrote that members need to “engage in a bit of renewal, as a conference.” With a focus on next November’s midterm elections, Boehner wrote, “We’ve had a tough run recently, some of it our own making. We’re concerned about the future of our majority. But I also believe that if we are able to renew our energy and our commitment to our basic principles, the best is yet to come.”
Blunt, meanwhile, wrote “the past six months have been some of the hardest for our majority,” but despite a series of obstacles, the House approved an extension of the Patriot Act, an almost $40 billion reduction in federal spending, an across-the-board spending cut, an extension of pre-existing tax cuts on dividends and capital gains and a bill to tighten immigration laws and security along with the U.S. border with Mexico. Senate action is pending on most of those bills.
With Blunt and Boehner locked in a race for the number two spot in the House Republican hierarchy, other candidates – including Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.) and Republican Policy Committee Chairman John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) – were expected to bow out.
The field could change considerably, though, between now and the election, a number of staff and lobbyists said over the weekend. The election is expected to happen after the Jan. 31 State of the Union.
"The issue is not who is the next majority leader, but where that leader takes us,” Shadegg said in a statement released by his office. “We need dramatic change and real reform. I will make my decision based on whether a candidate will deliver that change."
While Boehner made his television appearance early Sunday afternoon, Blunt opted to remain in his office calling individual members, said a source close to him on the condition of anonymity. As a member of the leadership, Blunt makes regular television appearances in support of the Republican agenda in the House, but he has decided to run his campaign for majority leader behind closed doors, the same source said.
On Saturday afternoon, he released a list of six supporters, which includes Reps. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Dave Camp (R-Mich.), Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.), Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Sue Myrick (R-N.C.), although an aide to a member of the centrist Tuesday Group today questioned whether Kirk had actually committed his support to either member. As of Sunday afternoon, Blunt’s office counts 24 or more other members who are working on his behalf.
Boehner similarly released a list of members Saturday. They include Reps. Melissa Hart (R-Pa.), John Kline (R-Minn.), Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), Jim Saxton (R-N.J.), Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio).
“Boehner has dozens of members who strongly support his candidacy who are making calls to other members on his behalf,” said spokesman Kevin Smith. “We are very excited and energized about the great feedback he has received just in the first 24 hours.”
The goal in assembling supporters, according to numerous GOP aides and lobbyists, is to build geographic and ideological diversity so that supporters can influence the fellow members of state delegations and ideological caucuses.
In painting himself as an alternative to the current leadership slate, Boehner told Fox News today that he and DeLay, who is often referred to as The Hammer, have very different personalities for governing.
“My theory is that you catch more bees with honey than vinegar,” Boehner said.
He also took an indirect shot at Blunt. In calling DeLay “one of the greatest leaders” in Republican history, he said, “No one has ever been a better majority whip than Tom DeLay.” Blunt succeeded DeLay in that capacity.
Bending to external pressure and his own political sensitivities, DeLay announced Saturday that he would not seek a return to the leadership. His announcement came days after former Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to felony corruption charges and agreed to cooperate with federal investigators in a bribery probe that could implicate members in both chambers of Congress.
“Time was the enemy,” DeLay told Fox News on Sunday after vowing to continue clear his name of money laundering charges in a Texas campaign finance case. “I realized that it was better for me to move aside.”
DeLay also said he was not being investigated in the Abramoff case and that he would not publicly support either candidate in the race to succeed him.
Abramoff’s plea agreement set a wildfire of speculation about which lawmakers would be indicted by federal investigators.
In response to those concerns, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) announced today that he and Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-Calif.) would begin work this week on a package to reform the rules that now govern member and staff interaction with lobbyists. Hastert spokesman Ron Bonjean said the Speaker was expected back in Washington on Tuesday and has canceled a trip to Asia that he was set to take later this week in order to work on the package.
The issue could even play into the leadership election.
Boehner and DeLay both dismissed the need for lobbying reform during separate appearances on Fox News. Blunt, on the other hand, wrote in his “Dear Colleague” that he supports some version of lobbying reform that would include enhanced penalties for members, lobbyists or staff who break the law.