‘Draft Cantor’ Move Pondered

Roll Call ^ | 11/14/06 | Sue Davis

[HastertFan]

Unhappy with the current candidates, a small but aggressive group of House Republicans are agitating for current Chief Deputy Majority Whip Eric Cantor (Va.) to get into the race for Minority Whip, according to interviews with multiple GOP lawmakers who requested anonymity.

These Members are emboldened by what they say is a lack of support for incumbent Majority Whip Roy Blunt’s (Mo.) campaign, and frustration that the popular Cantor opted out of a leadership bid in deference to Blunt, who elevated the Virginian to Chief Deputy Whip when he was a freshman.

Cantor has pledged to not challenge Blunt head-on in a leadership race — a pledge Cantor has no intention of breaking, according to sources not affiliated with Cantor’s office.

Members interviewed for this story stopped short of officially calling it a draft movement to get Cantor in the Whip race, but they are examining Republican Conference rules governing leadership races to discuss options to get Cantor on the ballot through a nominating petition, or spark a grass-roots campaign for him as a write-in candidate for Whip.

But Cantor would scramble the current dynamic as Members who have committed to Shadegg could jump ship if Cantor somehow gets in. “I am supporting John Shadegg but if Eric gets in the race, he’s got my support,” said a third Member.

Privately, Shadegg also has told lawmakers that he would maintain Cantor as Chief Deputy Whip if he is elected, according to Members.

[HastertFan]

Go Mr. Cantor.

I say why not draft him or write him in. The only way we are going to change this Congress is if we do it ourselves!

Starting with a write-in candidate that will throw the Dems and the media on their ear.

[iceskater]

Richmond ping for my Congresscritter, Eric Cantor.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Bump. His name is new to me -- What do you know about him.

[ken5050]

Just wondering if/when you're gonna change your screen name? and to what? (G)

[George W. Bush]

Just wondering if/when you're gonna change your screen name? and to what? (G)

Good question.

I guess perfectrovianstorm and I have a few years left...

Wish we could change the handles without dumping our signup date or posting history.

[NittanyLion]

I had the pleasure of voting for Eric Cantor, who won reelection with ease. He'd be an excellent choice.

[rmlew]

Pence for Minority Leader, Cantor for Minority whip sounds like a good team.

I like Blunt, but he has neither the face for TV, the voice for radio, nor wit enough for the media. Haster-Blunt were disters. Boehner voted for the Medicare Entitlement and has some ethical clouds.

And before anyone says it, I am not rooting for Cantor because he is Jewish, or because he went to Columbia.

I called it for Cantor in 2005.

[juliej]

I like Eric - a good role model for my son, who is also Jewish!