Posted on 11/12/2008 7:58:21 PM PST by counterpunch
Three out of the four most powerful House Republican leadership positions will be changing hands in the wake of Tuesday’s election, in which Democrats gained 19 seats. That won’t include the position of House Minority Leader, however.
Sources on Capitol Hill told CNSNews.com that despite “widespread discontent” among rank-and-file Republicans, it is unlikely that House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) will even be challenged for his position in the new Congress.
“The general feeling around here is, ‘Let’s just get rid of all of them,’” one Republican aide said Friday. “We’re just not big fans (of Boehner.) We have got to get someone in who has a better way of relating to people.”
But the most likely candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), a conservative who, sources say, several members have privately urged to run for the post, took himself out of the running on Friday.
In a statement issued to CNSNews.com, Ryan said that despite the “outpouring of support,” he has opted out for personal reasons.
“I share their hunger for reform and will work tirelessly as a policy leader for the Republican Party,” Ryan said. “My first priority in life will always be my wife and my three young children. As I reflect upon the strains that this position would place on my young family, I have decided not to enter my name as a candidate for House Minority Leader.”
House GOP Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) announced last week that they will step down. Reps. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Mike Pence (R-Ind.), respectively, have declared their candidacies to fill those vacancies.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...
You want to head up a district in Operation: Boehner’s Donors?
Does anyone else get ashamed sometimes to identify as a Republican? I don’t even identify as that much anymore. I vote Republican for the sole reason that the Democrats are much worse. The party has left me. And they keep poking me in the eye.
Jeb Hensarling
HUH????? He has grey hair.....whoopdeedooo....so do I...he looks great. Younger people need guidance, not hip hop models....some of the "leaders" of the Dems are bu** ugly....
Maybe we should rename ourselves....the NEW Republicans...or the REAL Republicans.....or the BLUE DOG Republicans.....would that help?....I know what you mean...I generally say I’m “conservative” although I’m thinking of changing that to “I’m a constitutional conservative” (NOT a member of the “Constitution Party” by the way...
My district is about as RAT as they get. :-(
Is Shadegg an option?
MCCLINTOCK for speaker. I don’t care if it’s his first term.
Failure has no cost for the RNC leadership.
RINOs hate McClintock.
I thought Boehner lead the charge against the 700 billion dollar Bailout? Is he not a conservative? This financial mess was blamed on the Republicans. Not enough of them spoke out over oversight on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac! On immigration he is for tougher border patrol and fence. NRA gave him an A on guns. Fiscal conservative what has he done wrong?
Meow.
I think you’re looking at this the wrong way. Conservatives will never see representation in the corrupt, inept, and useless GOP. Better that the GOP go the way of the Whigs and a conservative third party take it’s place.
Given the incredibly bad choices that the GOP is about to make for house minority leader and RNC chair, it won’t be too long before the GOP goes to it’s well deserved place on the trash heap of history.
“He basically said the conservatives were going to vote Republican, and they needed to work on expanding the tent to moderates and independents.”
The GOP has always taken conservatives for granted.
“Does anyone else get ashamed sometimes to identify as a Republican?”
No. But that’s because I’ve never been a Republican. As my site handle indicates I have been a Democrat, but I quit. It’s much better to simply be an unaffiliated conservative at this point.
Draft Steve King of Iowa if you want a true conservative.
Perhaps it is time start returning empty envelopes with “Dump Boehner” on them...
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I fail to understand what good a petition is going to do when NO HOUSE REPUBLICAN WANTS TO CHALLENGE HIM FOR MINORITY WHIP.
That surprises and disappoints me.
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