2016 Postmortem

DonViejo

(60,536 posts) Wed Jun 11, 2014, 08:06 AM Jun 2014

House Republicans up late weighing strategy in wake of Cantor’s shocking defeat

By Robert Costa, Wednesday, June 11, 4:01 AM

Midnight had long since passed, but the lights were still on at the Capitol, where House Republicans were already planning — and tensely arguing about — how to move ahead amid the chaos of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s stunning primary loss.

The most immediate question is whether a humbled Cantor will step down from his powerful post or try to hold on to it for the remainder of the year. That decision will determine whether there will be a potentially divisive leadership race in the coming weeks or whether that will be postponed until after the midterm elections.

In the immediate aftermath of Cantor’s defeat, camps inside the GOP were divided, with some Cantor allies urging him to stay on and help guide the party until November, while many of his critics privately warned that if he does not resign from his post they will promptly move against him.

Associates of House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) said they were telling him to quickly declare that he will stay in his position for another term and that he would like Cantor to stay on as majority leader through the end of the year, making the argument that unity and stability are critical for a House GOP in crisis.

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House Republicans up late weighing strategy in wake of Cantor’s shocking defeat (Original Post) DonViejo Jun 2014 OP

If I were them I would keep Cantor on Renew Deal Jun 2014 #1

There are "new" possibilities waiting in the wings... DonViejo Jun 2014 #3

It really doesn't matter who ends up being "Majority Leader". The result will be a total stop to AlinPA Jun 2014 #9

What a lovely way for them to head into the midterms BeyondGeography Jun 2014 #2

I don't believe they're confused. Looking at local politics blogs, I see the Big Rift over going ancianita Jun 2014 #5

R's killing immigration reform again, which is what this does, will not confuse most hispanics eom BeyondGeography Jun 2014 #7

House Republicans up late at Cantor’s wake weighing strategy for next shocking defeat. Xipe Totec Jun 2014 #4

TEA PARTY 1 SMUG REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER 0 yellowcanine Jun 2014 #6

And out come the long knives. tanyev Jun 2014 #8

Renew Deal

(81,856 posts)

1. If I were them I would keep Cantor on

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Wed Jun 11, 2014, 08:13 AM

Jun 2014

There are pros and cons, but having a leadership fight now would be fairly worthless. I guess he could "resign" his position, but can they really find someone new in the short time frame?

DonViejo

(60,536 posts)

3. There are "new" possibilities waiting in the wings...

Reply to Renew Deal (Reply #1)

Wed Jun 11, 2014, 08:28 AM

Jun 2014

Back at the U.S. Capitol, aides to House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) frantically huddled deep into the night. Were they plotting his next move? No one was talking.

-snip-

The reactions illustrate the situation each man faces in the coming days, especially if Cantor steps down as majority leader and sparks a contentious leadership fight. Boehner, 64, is already on top and easily defeated a tea party-backed challenger a few weeks ago after insisting that he has no plans to retire. His allies, including Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) said Tuesday night that Boehner should stay on as speaker to ensure unity.

McCarthy's future is less certain. Within hours, several names emerged to challenge the 49-year old for top leadership spots. There's Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), currently the fourth-ranking Republican; Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.), the head of the House Financial Services Committee; and Pete Sessions (R-Tex.), who chairs the powerful House Rules Committee and has been passed over before for leadership positions.

-snip-

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/06/11/cantor-loses-boehner-dines-with-friends-mccarthy-scrambles/?tid=pm_politics_pop

AlinPA

(15,071 posts)

9. It really doesn't matter who ends up being "Majority Leader". The result will be a total stop to

Reply to DonViejo (Reply #3)

Wed Jun 11, 2014, 08:53 PM

Jun 2014

anything and everything except Obama conspiracy stories and more crazy teabagger rhetoric. As long as the teabaggers are in control of the House (and the senate with filibusters) DC is one big waste.

BeyondGeography

(39,370 posts)

2. What a lovely way for them to head into the midterms

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Wed Jun 11, 2014, 08:13 AM

Jun 2014

The crazy uncle in the basement just took out one of the parents in charge. They are utterly divided and collectively confused.

ancianita

(36,053 posts)

5. I don't believe they're confused. Looking at local politics blogs, I see the Big Rift over going

Reply to BeyondGeography (Reply #2)

Wed Jun 11, 2014, 08:45 AM

Jun 2014

along with Obama on comprehensive immigration reform. Here's one view that got Brat votes:

Today, Speaker John Boehner will unveil plans to move the Republican Party toward a full throated support of amnesty for the 10-20 million illegal immigrants whose first act in our country was breaking the law.

We all know the basic economics. Labor markets are still in chaos, and now our leadership wants to import more low wage labor, lower the wage rate for our citizens, and provide BIG business cronies with cheap labor.

The Elites get cheap labor and you get low wages, more unemployment and to pay all the taxes that will support the Ruling Class in DC. This is classic Cantor vs. the People of the 7th District.

We cannot allow our Party to go down this dangerous road!

My opponent in this race has been described as “relentless” in his pursuit of amnesty, and we cannot send Eric Cantor to Washington to once again partner with Barack Obama and Harry Reid to lead the charge on this issue.

During the critical government shutdown, Eric Cantor was holding meetings to establish a roadmap to amnesty. At a time of serious financial crisis, our Majority Leader was more focused on making sure that those who entered our nation illegally would be given a path to citizenship than on reducing our growing debt or making sure we are doing everything we can to put Americans back to work. His efforts have culminated in this summit today.

As your congressman, you can count on me to be a stark departure from our current representation. Whereas Eric Cantor has been an Obama ally and amnesty’s staunchest proponent, I will be a forceful voice against such efforts and among the strongest opponents to this liberal pet policy.

I believe that we must always uphold the rule of law, and we cannot become like the Left, skirting around our laws to benefit a particular group. The foundation of our republic remains strong when no one receives special treatment.

http://pjmedia.com/davidsteinberg/all-in-on-amnesty-renee-ellmers-is-boehners-and-cantors-tell/

Mainstream Repugs advocate enfolding Hispanic votes and teabaggers don't. FWIW, Ann Coulter endorsed both Cantor's and Ellmer's opponents. That party is swinging even more hard right, and Democrats can't make the mistake of thinking that Republican voters are coming around to thinking like them by making their party some kind of 'bigger tent.' I think they're betting that Hispanic voters will misunderstand the meaning of incumbent losses and will divide across parties.