Wanted: A New Majority Leader

Okay, so Tom DeLay did his party a favor by stepping down. Had he stayed, the ranks of the membership would have split throughout the year, second guessing every vote instead of focusing on getting things done. Naturally, as Liberals and Democrats manage to stay one step behind political events, the Lefty fever swamp is all a buzz about how wonderful this is. In fact, I'm willing to put money down that they'll overreach yet again and, not being satisfied with DeLay losing his leadership post, they'll be screaming for him to resign his house seat. They'll think they've won something big here. Actually, what it does is it takes away a GOP whipping boy to demonize. In the coming election year, they're going to find themselves missing "the Hammer".

Shortly after the 1998 election, the party decided that having Newt Gingrich continue as the Majority Leader was not helping, so after a lot of internal pressure, Gingrich stepped down and Denny Hastert picked up the gavel. The result: the Democrats lost a target to lob their attacks against. Hastert's integrity was beyond approach.

Today, the GOP has a similar opportunity. And in the uncertainty of the Abramoff case - which will taint all of Congress, across party lines - they need to put forth a Majority Leader whose career isn't synonymous with the lobbying corruption of "K Street" and take the higher ground away from Democrats, who will try to claim it for themselves.

Red State makes the case for Mike Pence.

At a time when Democrats are trying to paint Republicans as unethical greedy crooks in the pockets of Jack Abramoff and his ilk, Republicans in Congress should look to one who is willing to work for the party, but who is not willing to give up the fight for the conservative base. Republicans need to start looking for a "do as I do" Republican and not continue on with hypocrits of power.

Right now the House Republicans need Mike Pence. He's done wonders revitalizing the Republican Study Committee. It has become an effective organization. There are others there like Jeb Hensarling, who can keep it going. There are not many in the Republican ranks who can revitalize Republican leadership in the House as a whole. Mike Pence can and Mike Pence should be given the opportunity.

As of now, the leading candidates are Roy Blunt of MO and John Boehner of OH - each is a candidate that is exactly what the party DOESN'T need right now. Hopefully, the Republican Caucus in the House do some serious reflection over the next few weeks and, if a special election is called to fill the post, create enough of a groundswell to draft Pence as the new Majority Leader.

Stay tuned.

Posted by: Gary at 09:00 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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