Posted on 06/13/2014 1:24:18 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Rep. Raul Labrador, a fiery conservative lawmaker from Idaho, will challenge House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy in next Thursday's special election to replace Eric Cantor as majority leader, according to Republican sources.
"I want a House Leadership team that reflects the best of our conference," Labrador said in a statement provided to National Journal. He later added: "I am running for Majority Leader because I want to help create a vision of growth and opportunity for everyone and start getting to work for the American people."
A sophomore representative from a heavily Republican district, Labrador's election would dramatically alter the dynamic atop the House GOP. The former immigration attorney is Hispanic and bilingual, and would add diversity to an all-white leadership team. Labrador is also a member of the enormous 2010 class, the members of which pushed the GOP into the majority—but have felt largely unrepresented since.
"I was stunned when Eric Cantor lost his primary election earlier this week," Labrador said. "Eric is a good friend and I have tremendous respect for him. But the message from Tuesday is clear—Americans are looking for a change in the status quo."
Labrador, however, enters the race as a decided underdog, as McCarthy and his seasoned vote-counting operation have been working around the clock since Wednesday securing commitments from members of the House GOP.
It's unclear, in fact, whether Labrador actually thinks he can win.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationaljournal.com ...
“He received a B.A. in Spanish with an emphasis in Latin American literature ...”
Latin American literature must lose something in the translation. If 100 Years of Solitude is a watershed moment, the watershed is more like a water closet.
He’s better than McCarthy, and probably enough to the right to scare off any other challengers. How convenient for the Empire. A little too convenient. I heard him on Levin. He sounds like the typical GOPer who wants to be on the fiscally responsible right wing of the Progressive movement.
Yep—has there been any actually conservative immigration attorney in the last 50 years?
Don't know about that. But Labrador was part of a Group of 8 in the House that was working on immigration bill at the same time as the Senate's Group of 8 (Rubio, Schumer, McCain, et al).
And, when the House Group of 8 insisted on amnesty being in their bill, Labrador walked away. And made a racket about it.
As a consequence, he pretty much killed any movement toward amnesty in a House bill.
“Yep—has there been any actually conservative immigration attorney in the last 50 years?”
Yes, he was last seen riding a chupacabra across Area 51.
“The other 11 million undocumented, he says, should be legalized, but not necessarily be given a path to citizenship.”
OH yeah, for about five minutes and a liberal judge. Bullshit position.
on Hannity Raul sounded absolutely presidential....I’ve donated to his campaign since he’s right across the border....
I have corresponded with Labrador. He is not a political insider or a GOP elite. He is a strong conservative, though there are some things I disagree with him on.
He is an honest, decent man, who loves this country. I would far rather see him as the Majority Leader than McCarthy.
Labrador does sound heckuva better than McCarthy.
The praise for Labrador from numerous conservatives puzzles me. He’s more pro-amnesty than Cantor.
Then, why did he publicly walk away from a House Group of 8 who were trying to do the same thing that the Senate Group of 8 did -- i.e., write a "comprehensive immigration reform" bill that included amnesty?
He walked out because they were insisting upon amnesty...
No, that’s not why he walked away. He walked away because he was getting heat for his role in it. The excuse he used to walk away was a disagreement about a healthcare payment detail.
But he’s pro-amnesty through and through.
Why can’t Freepers realize that amnesty will end any conservative majority in this country and turn us into a Latin American,third-world, Leftist voting entity?
I believe FReepers definitely realize that.
It's Republicans who are being obtuse about it.
He left because Luis Gutierrez wanted Obamacare for illegals.
Id support Labrador or Pete Sessions even if they are not good choices.
Labrador also has to deal with primaries every 2 years. McCarthy’s district is perfect for a RINO. He will never drop out of the top 2 in an open primary.
It will be easier to stop or slow down an amnesty bill in 2015 with more Senate Republicans and more amendments being offered. The situation with the surge across the border will get worse.
McCarthy will put an amnesty bill on the floor next week.
Devin Nunes and probably the others who want an amnesty bill ASAP would back McCarthy.
Yeah Louie is awesome!
Labrador is my congressman and votes for conservative values.
My husband and I are thrilled that he is taking up the challenge and wish him well. Mark Levin had him on his show yesterday and was quite impressed with him.
Go Raul!!!
The ACU is part of the open borders crowd, is it not?
I hope Labrador can retrieve this position. :)
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