Posted on 06/13/2014 1:48:38 PM PDT by PoloSec
Second-term Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, plans to challenge Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., for the second most powerful House leadership position.
Labrador just released a statement announcing his bid for House majority leader, saying he believes Majority Leader Eric Cantor's primary loss on Tuesday shows, “Americans are looking for a change in the status quo.”
The leadership election is scheduled for June 19. Labrador made the announcement a half-day after it appeared McCarthy had the job locked up with no opponents. Sign Up for the Politics Today newsletter!
Now, a Labrador aide said, the contest is up in the air.
“The old math can be thrown out,” the aide said, without revealing how many lawmakers support Labrador. “It’s a whole new ballgame.”
Now serving as House majority whip, McCarthy has been cultivating close relationships with the rank and file for years and claimed by Thursday to have gathered the backing of more than half the conference.
His only opponent, House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions, R-Texas, dropped out Thursday night as his became clear he stood little chance of winning.
But the inevitability of McCarthy succeeding Cantor angered the most conservative faction of the House.
They had tried to recruit House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, but he declined to run.
Then they pursued Labrador.
“He got a lot of encouragement from other members,” a source close to the discussions told the Washington Examiner.
Many consider McCarthy to be a politically similar to Cantor, particularly when it comes to immigration reform.
Both Cantor and McCarthy, his protege, have expressed acceptance of legislation that would eventually legalize those who came here illegally, which some conservatives view as a form of amnesty.
Additionally, conservative talk show hosts who boosted Cantor's primary opponent Dave Brat to victory have been railing against McCarthy as another “pro-amnesty” leader.
Labrador, a former immigration lawyer, hardly fits the profile of what many conservatives want, which is someone to oppose any immigration reform that increases immigration, both legal and illegal, which they say will decrease employment and deflate wages.
He opposes immigration reform of any kind in 2014, but said he believes in eventually increasing legal immigration and creating a guest worker program after border security is increased.
But Labrador has said he opposes a pathway to citizenship. This could help him win favor with conservatives who might view him as an imperfect but far more attractive alternative to McCarthy.
Trey Gomez(SC) got schooled by Steve King so Gowdy complained to a scrum of reporters.
In order on amnesty opposition in SC: Tim Scott, Joe Wilson, Jeff Duncan, Mark Sanford, Trey Gowdy, Mulvaney and then Lindsey Graham.
Why do you think Steve King and Bachmann only wanted Hensarling or Jordan?
I wonder why King and Smith are not stepping up? Do you think they are afraid of the old boys club or as legislatures, they don’t have the skill set to lead or in the case of the house, herd cats?
Lamar Smith is more fiscally liberal so maybe they should put him as leader.
Barletta would be another fiscally liberal and anti-amnesty leader who could play ball until 2015.
King doesn’t think it is his type of job to get 218 votes.
This is the best argument.... When the government rules arbitrarily laws are meaningless.
Barletta is a good guy and he is certainly great on immigration.
Don’t get your hopes up, the fix is in. Boehner was summoned to the Whitey hut and given his marching orders.
I think King and Barletta with real tans would make Boehner look even worse.
Steve King has more integrity in his little finger than the vast majority of Congress. I am the majority would not want to deal with anyone who is principled and has integrity.
We do need a firebrand who can rally the other insipid republican representatives or at least keep them from straying.
Once again, I suggest Senator Cruz, as he con-fabbed and bolstered the House, during the so-called “shut-down.” He went where his leadership was needed.
Cruz being the head of the house will also prevent Obama from getting his grubby mitts on 2Million (or was it billion) for the democrat made disaster on the border.
yes! good news... do not want McCarthy at all, and especially uncontested...
i just do not see them going for anybody outside of the House... no way...
Great—another amnesty guy.
Raul Labrador is an amnesty pimp. But clever enough not to advertise it.
Notice there is a twist in the story, to make it seem like Labrador is a one-issue candidate.
“Labrador, a former immigration lawyer, hardly fits the profile of what many conservatives want, which is someone to oppose any immigration reform that increases immigration, both legal and illegal, which they say will decrease employment and deflate wages.”
The number of conservatives that are fixated on just that one thing are minimal. Instead, conservatives have dozens of issues they want conservative representation for; as well as somebody with spine who will oppose the Democrats and their agenda, not “meet them halfway” with it.
Now yer tawkin! I would love to see Louie as Speaker. Labrador is pro-amnesty, from what I gather, was a member of the Gang of 8 on immigration “reform.” So, no.
Louie Gohmert would be my choice.
U am for anybody who opposes the “Dream” Act and Amnesty.
I shall look into his record. Thank-you for the suggestion.
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