Massie says he's backing U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador to replace Cantor and unify GOP factions

cn|2 Pure Politics ^ | 6/13/2014 | Nick Storm

[Republican Wildcat]

U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Vanceburg, is all in for Idaho U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador to replace Eric Cantor as the U.S. House Majority Floor Leader in an insurgent campaign.

“I think what Raul will do is unify the conservative conference,” Massie said.

In a phone interview with Pure Politics, Massie said that he had been urging Labrador to run for the post. Labrador is a conservative-minded GOP member who has often represented the tea party on national media outlets like NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

But Massie acknowledged that Labrador will have an uphill battle against California U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy — the current majority whip.

“I told David Brat that Raul Labrador has a David Brat chance of winning,” Massie said referencing the underdog factor that Brat had against Cantor in Tuesday’s GOP primary in Virginia.

Brat defeated Cantor despite being outspent nearly 26 to 1 in his race — forcing Cantor to announce he would step down as floor leader and setting off the election for his replacement.

House Republicans will vote to replace Cantor on Thursday, and Massie said two things could help Labrador — a secret ballot and the elections being in mid-stream.

[itssme]

I totally agree with you. Labrador is NO McCarthy, and McCarthy must be defeated. And, as you say, one battle at a time.

[itssme]

That he is, and McCarthy must be defeated.

[Political Junkie Too]

What's amazing is that for years the GOPe has been saying that they need to reach out to the Hispanic community.

Now they have an opportunity to make a person of Puerto Rican descent the Majority Leader, and what do they do?

-PJ