Michele Bachmann bid adds drama to the GOP leadership race
House Republicans look like they’ve largely been spared any uncomfortable leadership races as they cruise into their robust new majority, except for one little speed bump: Michele Bachmann.
The often fiery and always unpredictable Bachmann, a tea party favorite, is trying to make a contest out of the battle for the Republican Conference chairmanship, a job that is critical for setting the party’s message and is seen as a steppingstone to higher leadership positions.
Continue ReadingThe favorite is Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas, and top Republicans are making it clear that he is the insider’s choice. Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia and outgoing Conference Chairman Mike Pence of Indiana already have endorsed Hensarling, sending a clear message that if Bachmann wants the job, she’s going to have to run an insurgent race for it.
The rest of the Republican leadership races should go down smoothly: House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio for speaker and Cantor for majority leader. And so far, California Rep. Kevin McCarthy is the only candidate who has announced his intention to run for whip.
On the losing Democratic side of the House, the big question is whether Speaker Nancy Pelosi would step aside as the top Democrat. The California representative’s departure, while expected but not guaranteed, would likely clear the way for Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. The Maryland Democrat is the heavy favorite to become minority leader in the 112th Congress.
Bachmann has been known to do things on her own on the Republican side. She started the Tea Party Caucus and is going to make the case that it’s important that a “constitutional conservative” is at the leadership table, her spokesman Sergio Gor said.
Constitutional conservatives “need a loud and clear voice within the GOP conference, and that’s why Michele Bachmann is running,” Gor said Wednesday. He declined to detail Bachmann’s campaign strategy. He even noted that Bachmann is not running a campaign against Hensarling, who is the only other candidate.
Boehner is staying out of the race so far.
Hensarling will argue that he’s the true conservative. Citizens Against Government Waste, a spending watchdog group, rates him higher than Bachmann. The group gives him a lifetime rating of 96 to her 91. Club for Growth gives Bachmann an 88, compared with Hensarling, who is tied for No. 1 with the top score of 100.
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