In a not unexpected development this morning, current Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia announced he will seek the position of Majority Leader in the new Congress.
In a letter to his Republican colleagues in the House, Cantor wrote in part:
I have long believed that success for the Republican Party is tied to success for America. Thomas Jefferson once remarked that “governments are republican only in proportion as they embody the will of the people, and execute it.”
AdvertisementTo that end, we must govern differently. Not just differently than the Democrats, but differently from our previous majority. And job number one is to focus on more jobs for more Americans and to shift the economy from stall to forward. It’s time to produce results. Americans are asking for the opportunity to assume responsibility and get back to earning success. I also believe we need to change the culture of Washington. I believe that we must change the culture of spending that has prevailed for far too long. And I believe we need to change our expectations of the Congress, the Leadership, the committees, and of each of us.
I have announced my intention to stand for election as Majority Leader because I am results oriented and I want to help lead that effort and bring about these changes. I write not only to ask for your support, but also to outline some thoughts as to how we can seize the opportunity and make these changes.
Cantor attached a document to his letter: “Delivering on Our Commitment: A Majority to Limit Government and Create Jobs.” Regarding the plan in this document, Cantor continues:
I found myself guided by one simple proposition which I believe will be instructive for our efforts over the next two years: “Are my efforts addressing job creation and the economy; are they reducing spending; and are they shrinking the size of the Federal Government while increasing and protecting liberty? If not, why am I doing it? Why are WE doing it?”
Probably. It’s not news that the Minority Whip wants to be Majority Leader after the power shift. #2 to #2.
Cantor would make a better leader than Boehner.
Boehner would still be the top Republican in the House, since he’d be the Speaker starting in January. Cantor is just seeking to maintain his second-in-command position by running for Majority Leader, and would be Dick Armey to Boehner’s Newt Gingrich, or Tom DeLay to Boehner’s Denny Hastert (though hopefully not with the same sort of drunken sailor spending those two engaged in).
Cantor is weak.
we need someone that will do something, talk back etc..take a stand and stand with it!!
We do not need spineless people to be our front line. We need our own nancy..okay she’s nuts..but she sure as hell was effective for the party of corruption…she caught people by short hairs and wouldn’t let go.
I am looking for an honest, forthrign.ht superman!! here he comes to save the day..oh, that was might mouse, we need him too.
this is like a silly school yard game, and obama is the bully…cantor is a little boy that will get bitten
I really don’t understand why there should be ANY sweaty palms about different leadership posts being competitive within the Republican caucus. Most of those leaders were there the last time when, for the first time in a generation, the Republicans folded to progressive values as soon as they were in power. I’m hopeful they have more spine this time but leaving the same management in just strikes me as…INSANE…expecting different results and all.
I agree. Orange-man is not a viable choice — that is Boehmer.
No he’s not. Cantor is just another RINO. Young gun my
back side. I used to think Cantor was great, but after
that dust up over that politician from Ohio he showed
me what a loser he is.
I’d support Pelosi for majority leader before Cantor.
He owes all of us an apology.
I apologize, but I didn’t have time for this until now:
WE WON
period.
I agree; Cantor would be an excellent leader. The GOP has to, not just replace the nails (people) in its infrastructure with same-style nails..but develop a new infrastructure – one that more closely acknowledges the conservative nature of the American people and their will.
I think that the ‘time-out’ phase of marginalization of the GOP has been a necessary and hopefully beneficial phase. It has allowed them the time and space to ‘breathe’ and allow a new generation of conservatives into the party. This new generation must be given the power to develop a new structure and policy base.
It cannot be the old structure, the old guard and policies.
The Democrats are hobbled in this agenda of enabling a new generation of Democratic politicians. Obama is authoritarian, he does not allow dissent, questions, analysis. All you can do is ‘His Will’. This stifles any and all newcomers and new policies.
What the GOP must do – and at least in their speeches of last night, they acknowledged this, is to understand that this vote was not for the old GOP but a vote against Obama and the Democrats. They must develop a new set of policies and agenda that represents the conservative will of the American people. It can’t be the ‘same old GOP’.
Voters will learn early on whether old guard GOPers have learned anything. I personally doubt it, but the fastest way to change the game is to keep progressives off balance by altering not only the look of GOP leadership, but their goals and methods of doing business as well. Re-elected politicians will return in January comfortable in thinking they know how everything works. Make a sea-change in that dynamic and those pols will become vulnerable – and pliable. THAT’s the way to run an effective congress, IMO.
The tip of the iceberg. The new wave in the house. Before we ask whether Obama is flexible enough to pivot, we must see first whether the republican establishment can find the strength to embrace the new recruits.
And NEVER, and I mean NEVER take your eyes off the *ast@rds again.
Burger
He’s my Congressman but I do NOT support him as Majority Leader. He is too prone to surrender and compromise.
And Mike Pence stepped down from House Republican Conference Chairman: Is he going for the Statehouse, or the WH?
He’s my Congressman as well and believe him to be a more than capable Majority Leader.
As for his ‘surrendering’, Cantor’s one of the cogs in waking those in lethargy to pay attention to their ‘elected leaders’ shortcomings and come to understand Capitalism can survive without Socialism though vice versa IT’S IMPOSSIBLE.
Cantor also hadn’t ‘surrendered’ when a bullet went through his office window this past Spring.
The man has made mistakes. Granted. Though I believe he’s learned from them and been the better for them. JMO.
P. Henry Saddleburr,
The Dems lost because they wouldn’t compromise. If you want to run an effective government, you need to listen to voices of not just those who are in the majority right now, but also those who are in the minority.
“The Dems lost because they wouldn’t compromise.”
Respectfully, I think it was a little more related to their polices and back room shenanigans. Have to grant that the dems (stubbornly) refused to heed the majority of the American people, and in that sense wouldn’t compromise.
All good.
Congressman Coppertone, (now Speaker-elect Boehner), has been around long enough to recall how the GOP screwed the pooch the last time in power, plus he’s from a swing state.
Personally, i admire the guy, he’s a living example of Blue-Collar Republicanism in a way that few DemocRats can match.
Eric Cantor is from another swing state, although Virginia is pretty reliably Red, his district WILL turn if the GOP blows it too badly.
What would be bad is for the leadership to be from some GOP gerrymandered “safe” district…as we saw with the future ghost once known as Speaker Pelosi and HER leadership cadre, insulation from the electorate at the ballot-box breeds poor policy decisions.
Mr. Simon:
By the way, condolences on Prop 19 “going up in smoke”.
Cantor is a quiet star. With his telegenic good looks and his brains plus his obvious youth, he will knock the socks off the opposition. Boehner seems like a nice man, but in the mold of the “moderate” going along Republican. Cantor appears to be more conservative and more willing to fight for them Boehner makes me uneasy that he will have the spine and the conviction to stand up for conservative principles.
Boehner has never taken an earmark. He is a straight arrow, relatively speaking. He has no higher office ambitions. Let him be speaker; he has a lot of experience, and put Paul Ryan, Jeff Flake and other hard noses running the key committees.
Bad Idea. Bad Timing. We’ve just enjoyed a repudiation of Obama in this election. It wasn’t an endorcement of either Cantor in particular or the Republicans in general. Period.
It was truly a cringe worthy moment to see Boehner get all weepy in the midst of a victory speech. But. At 60 he can get a testosterone check from his Dr – But we can’t get this moment back – ever.
A fight for leadership is the last thing that is needed at this moment. Boehner (before choking up) set exactly the right tone. It’s no time to celebrate anything – not with unemployment where it is ect. It’s also no time for a fractous debate over leadership – STUPID. It would hand the momentum back to a beat down Dem party.
Cantor, for all his talent, needs to get a firm bitch slap and LOSE HIS #2. The public for many reasons has their teeth on edge over what is happening. The minority leader shouldered being the target of Obama and his clowns during this cycle. He showed decent enough leadership skills in keeping discipline during the tough times the past two years.
I can’t believe the ‘grass is greener’ weak arguments I’m hearing here.
So what Cantor wants to be leader. Why should he be leader and specifically why should he be leader now?
Bad Idea. Supremely stupid. @70% ‘wrong direction’ in the national body politic – and a historic win – and the FIRST THING WE ARE GONNA DO IS CHANGE LEADERSHIP? Because this pissant Cantor is ambitious? Are you kidding?
That is exactly biz as usual in Washington – all about them and (&*&^ the rest of us. Did prospective change in leadership play into this election? Again – are you kidding me. Was Mr Orange so reptillian that he scared off voters?
Nothing in this ‘letter’ screams out we can’t get it done without this guy – or – Mr Coppertone (& Yes – there IS NO CRYING IN LEADERSHIP) HAVING FIRED HIMSELF.
My post here is a lot more readable (family friendly version) than the letter I fired off to the Virgina dipshit himself and my own rep Trent Franks.
Not just no, HELL NO!
A lot of posts here seem to infer that Cantor is competing for Boehner’s job. You folks do know the difference between “Speaker of the House” and “Majority Leader”?
Thank you ConsummateV –
Apologies to Roger et el…but. Part of why I jumped past this was the prior post from Myra Adams here at PJM on Oct 20th 2010…
WILL THE YOUNG GUNS FORCE SPEAKER BOEHNER TO A A DUEL?
I was just as adamant then as above. I would also like to add that Mike Pence of Indiana is a much better choice. I am not as big a fan of Mr Cantor for a variety of reasons. Yes he is very smart. But being a shrewd stratigist is not the be all end all of what it takes to be a either a speaker or a speakers #2.
I don’t think this guy has what it takes for either right now. Pense has proven (as he, not Cantor, stood up when Bush was spending like an idiot) conservative values. Pense also was an understudy to the great Bob Michaels from his home state, as well as learning first hand from the leadership Daniels has exibited in Indiana.
But I do concede that it’s doubtful at this time that Pense would be satisfied to take the #2 – since he is a pretty good bet to run himself for Prez in ’12.
AS for who should be #2? It’s not for Cantor to say now is it. Since there was a bit of backroom buzz that prompted Myra Adams to pose the suggestion their might be a SPEAKER fight (as opposed to Majority Leader), maybe such inside baseball rumors are enough for Boehner to consider someone who should prove more loyal? Just my view.
Pence is resigning his House position (Republican Conference Chairman) but I don’t think he plans to run for other House positions but will run for either Governor of Indiana or president in 2012.
Eric Cantor will be a spectacular Majority Leader. Paul Ryan will be a spectacular Chair for Budget.
Your article on the Energy Chair is the one to watch and you were the best on the internet at catching that.
(P.S.) Sent you an email earlier, hope you got it.
After your silly defense of Jon Stewart I read your comments from a different perspective. Ryan is great but you are blowing just a little smoke on Cantor. See my post at 19 below.
I like Boehner. He is from a blue collar background. I admire him for that. He put himself through school. He’s run a small business and yes, he has seen what the Repubs did wrong and knows where not to go. I think Cantor would be a good compliment to him.
As long as Cantor stops going to Jon Stewart’s show, he’ll be alright! Cantor touted on his facebook page a few weeks back a video of him on Stewart’s daily liberal insanity show as “a good conversation with Jon Stewart.” a good conversation? Jon Stewart had Cantor agreeing to every liberal talking point that Jon Stewart put forward.
Cantor can be great, but he needs to learn that liberals can and will ambush him and that he needs to be prepared for it.
Nancy Pelosi is current Speaker of the House and Steny Hoyer is the Majority Leader. Does that answer everyone’s
question about Cantor trying to ‘bump’ Boehner? I see no
problem here and I agree that right now the Republican party needs no internecine battles. They need to work together to turn this ship around.
Many observors, would appreciate more time to consider the pool of talent available to the Tea Party. Republicans leaping forward now, who have been complicit during this period of deconstructing the constitution, are as accountable for the problems as those who acted as advocates.
Tea Party supporters bring a new definition to the term RINO. its about identity transparency, isnt it? Tea Party can switch sides without compromise and do the same good, that they will do as rinos.
Cadres of Tea Partyers, coming into and out of an area of operations, sounds like a plan, Wretchard would might expound upon.
Repudiation of the accumulated deficits wouldnt be such a leap of logic to those of us who know that the actions previously taken were taken without consent, while sporting lowest ratings for approval of all congresses in our history.
That we have the demagaugory now, warning about the preserving the in place continuuum…holds no value for us new arrivals. This was first pass, 6.3 million expansion of the electorate, with 60 million plus, too come.
Give us a break!
In general, I could take or leave the guy.
This morning on Fox News Mr. Cantor stated that he was sure that, like him, President Obama wants to reduce the size of Government. The GOP needs a Majority Leader who has the courage to speak truth to and about Big Government Power.
You dont get progress by doing the same old same old.
Bachmann for speaker.
This is not news, but it gives us a chance to sound off.
I want Ryan. I want a budget wonk in charge. I want them to show me they are serious about the budget and deficits.
Besides, he was the only one in the room during the Healthcare roundtable who showed he could stand up to Obama. He did it by using facts.
I do not want a “good politician” like Boehner. He’s a good guy, but this has to be a complete reworking. I want a whole ‘nuther approach.
And I want Bachmann as Majority leader or whip!
Bravo!!!
Bachmann will be a power broker sought out by Boehner, since she has started a conservative caucus in the House Republicans. Ryan instead!
I’ll take any majority leader or SotH who helps put Rand Paul in a leadership role in the Appropriations Committee, seniority be damned. There would BE no secrets anymore.
Run Kermit the Frog or Yoda (GOING GREEN) or even a piece of beef jerky with a dull pulse.
Can ANYTHING be worse than the far Left wackoids?
I think NOT.
On second thought (and much ADD introspection), scratch the “beef jerky with a pulse”, we’ve had enough Pelosi to last a lifetime.
I’ll admit that I don’t know nearly as much about Rep. Cantor as I should. He’s sounded some very good notes, and some sour notes as well. I like that he was willing to take on President Obama directly, on camera, even if there’s some dispute as to how well he handled himself.
He wants to run for Majority Leader? Let him; it’s a free country. His colleagues will decide if he’s up for it or not. And if he wins, we’ll truly see what he’s made of. (Frankly, I’d rather see that now, when little if any Republican legislation is likely to get passed anyway.)
respectfully,
Daniel in Brookline
“Nearly all men can stand adversity; but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
– Abraham Lincoln
Major change is still needed in the Republican Party, and we only have two more years to get rid of the remainder of Democrats and other liberals! We still need BIG doses of the Tea Party!!!
It pains me that even in the party Republican there is a lack of understanding of how the hiarchy of the party is established. Speaker of the House—-Majority Leader—–Majority whip. Look ‘em up was the command from my mother whenever I asked questions, followed by a trip to the library to research the the information I was asking about. It was a life long thank-you to her for insisting that I look up information rather than just giving me the answer. Learn how the Congress and Senate interact with the Executive branch to establish checks and balances. We now are in reality a much stronger position than if we had won the Senate also. The Democrats now hold two-thirds of the governing trifecta. The house can now propose the legislation to extend tax cuts, curtail size of government etc. With the majority they can pass the first step, then forward it to the Senate for their revue and additional input, this time however there will be debate because the Democrats no longer have a filibuster proof majority. The democrats will be in the position of the party of no in passing the will of the people. And the President will be put on the hot seat for vetoing legislation reflecting the will of the people that just fired his once majority party. This movie is just getting interesting, I think I’ll order in more pop-corn.
Eric Cantor embodies the old school politicians who fashion themselves as monarchs and who must be replaced with term-limited public servants. Cantor could easily pass himself off as Arlen Specter’s son as they are both cast from the same mold. We desperately need to put in power people the caliber of Jason Chaffetz and Marsha Blackburn. It’s time to stop enabling these politicians to feed their insatiable egos on our dimes.
AZsmitty, of course, has it right. John Boehner would make a great Speaker of the House, Eric Cantor would make a great Majority Leader, Kevin McCarthy would make a great Majority Whip and Paul Ryan would be the greatest Leader of the House Ways and Means Committee ever!!!!!
Eric Cantor is one of the better ones.Hes got a better shot at president than frikkin Sarah Palin.The Tea Party needs to compromise on certain issues to become a truly viable option.Theres a difference between being on the sidelines shouting ,to being in the drivers seat saying “ok now what do we do?”
Americans really need to hear what Republicans will do once they get in ,or they simply wont be given the keys.Since 2008 the GOP has elected an 80/20 strategy.Thats 80% attack and 20% substance.A strategy i disagree with.Attacks come easy , formulating a policy that works does not.
I wish Eric Cantor well on his run for Majority Leader and i hope he wins.
This is the first blog I read on my new Ipad. I’m bookmarking for nostalga.