PrintRoy Blunt steps down as GOP Whip
Too bad he and Boehner didn't do the right thing after the 2006 Republican humiliation:
Blunt will be the second senior Republican not seeking another term in leadership after Adam Putnam of Florida said on Tuesday that he would not seek re-election to his third-ranking job of Republican conference chairman.
Blunt will make his announcement at a news conference at 11:00 a.m. EDT, the sources said.
Blunt, of Missouri, will remain in Congress, they added.
John Boehner of Ohio, the top House Republican with the job of minority leader, has announced he wants to keep his job. Republicans will gather in mid-November to pick their new leadership team.
If Boehner had an ounce of sense - or integrity - he would step down immediately. What kind of hubris must you possess to believe you're doing a good job when the party you lead in Congress has lost 50 seats in the previous two elections?
As for Blunt, AP is reporting that Eric Cantor - mentioned as a possible Veep pick during the campaign - is a leading contender for the post as party whip.This is pretty good news. I wouldn't say that Cantor would be the best choice (I like Mike Pence of Indiana) but he's certainly a step above the sleep-inducing Mr. Blunt. Cantor is a charismatic guy and a proven vote getter with right leaning independents.
Perhaps Pence will now seek the Minority Leader spot. It will be tough because he doesn't have the seniority that others would have. But it would certainly satisfy conservatives who have been hugely disappointed in the current gaggle of geese who run things on the Hill now.
