Boehner trumps Ryan in GOP conference fight

By Steve Benen

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As a practical matter, being the chair of the House GOP conference isn't an especially big deal, but this mattered as part of a larger proxy fight.

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), the failed vice presidential candidate, knew his caucus' leadership, including House Speaker John Boehner, was backing McMorris Rodgers for the #4 post -- in part because he didn't want four white guys making up the entirely of the GOP leadership -- but Ryan nevertheless threw his support to Rep. Tom Price, a very conservative congressman from Georgia.

In this sense, today's vote wasn't just McMorris Rodgers vs. Price; it was a power play that pitted Boehner and the Republican establishment against Paul Ryan and the far-right wing. And as of this afternoon, Boehner won, leaving Ryan looking rather powerless.

I'm beginning to think Paul Ryan isn't having a great month.

For what it's worth, this was the only leadership race of interest -- Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy will remain in their posts, taking the top three slots in the House Republican leadership.

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2012/11/14/15169038-boehner-trumps-ryan-in-gop-conference-fight