Posted on 06/10/2014 9:39:28 PM PDT by Viennacon
As conservatives begin to wrap their heads around the shocking primary defeat of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, at least one member of the coup to unseat Speaker John A. Boehner doesn’t think an open spot in leadership will strengthen Boehner’s hand come the 114th Congress.
Just minutes after Cantor’s defeat was official on Tuesday night, Rep. Tim Huelskamp told CQ Roll Call that Cantor’s ouster “bodes well for an entire new leadership team.”
The Kansas Republican, who hasn’t been quiet about his qualms with leadership, said it’s “too early to tell” exactly how this affects leadership races, “but, again, I think it’s a team approach, and this reflects on John Boehner, this reflects on [Majority Whip] Kevin McCarthy.”
McCarthy is next in succession for the majority leader spot, but many in the Capitol see his power largely tied to Cantor’s.
“By tomorrow, it’ll be McCarthy running for majority leader,” Huelskamp said. “He’s Mr. Ambition. But at the end of the day, I don’t think he gets to be majority leader by Eric Cantor getting beat.”
Asked if he thought conservatives would be placated by a scenario like that, Huelskamp was unequivocal.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “I think most members of the House know the final power rests in the speaker’s office.”
“I think it weakens the speaker; it doesn’t help him,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Huelskamp had predicted that Boehner wouldn’t run to be speaker in the 114th Congress, along with Reps. Raúl R. Labrador, R-Idaho, and Matt Salmon, R-Ariz.
How this affects their predictions in unclear. But for Huelskamp, he think it strengthens the chances of Boehner retiring.
Huelskamp insisted Cantor’s loss was “a reflection of the entire team.”
“Eric Cantor is gone because the tea party is not dead,” Huelskamp said.
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.rollcall.com ...
Andrew McCarthy! Another liberal Republican, gang of three “young bloods. “ Drain the friggin swamps!
i have made the same comment on several other threads.
cantor’s defeat makes ‘amnesty’ almost certainly dead as far as legislation in the House goes and the likelihood that crybaby boehner will get another term as speaker is all but flushed down the ‘john’ (bad pun,i know )
I think since Senator Cruz has been over to the House several times to help them shore up their conservative firewalls, he should be speaker of the house. I think that is a brilliant power play. We’ll strike from the outside. ( I really am pleased with my idea).
Worth repeating.
“entire new leadership team”
If the GOP gives the country a choice—and not just a weak Boehner echo—they may not just win, but win big.
One word! GOWDY!
I reiterate my standing vote for either Trey Gowdy or Louie Gohmert for speaker of the House.
My vote is for Sarah Palin as the new Speaker of the House.
Those are both excellent gentleman, great speakers and brave, but can they get mano o mano within the house, the senate or with the administration? We need someone who has taken arrows and keeps jumping back in the fray.
McCarthy thinks he will get the job.
The entire current GOP leadership is finished.
None will survive, including McCarthy.
Its time to clean out blue state GOPers from leadership roles for the large part, because with few exceptions, they end up having to moderate because of their state’s political views. How about a Texan?
You got that right. All our leaders and chairmen come from Obama
states. That MUST change!
Agreed! Gowdy was my first choice as well, even before tonight’s delicious news! Gowdy is a pit bull, and (at least to date) is no RINO!
We need to clone him! We also need to get Allen West back into Congress.
keep an eye on jeb hensarling. support for him as speaker is quietly gaining momentum.
Cantor’s loss is a blow to democrats.
I know. Nobody is buying the Pelosi ramblings that this means ‘a whole new ballgame’ Whatever ballgame, she remains minority leader.
I confess I’m confused by your suggestion at Cruz becoming Speaker of the House since he is a senator, and not a representative. I’d love it too, but as I understand it, he’d have to resign as senator and run for office as a representative in order to qualify as House Speaker. Did I misunderstand your suggestion?
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