The spotlight turns to Eric Cantor
We’ve linked before to Politico’s coverage of the palace intrigue that involves the working relationship between House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (of Henrico County, Va., natch).
In coverage of the debt negotiations lately we’ve noticed several mentions of the fact that Cantor seems talking as much as Boehner.
Today, we see that Politico, the Washington Post and even the Los Angeles Times all have stories about the rivalry between the two GOP leaders.
Here’s the lead on the Post story:
The negotiating tactics of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor would probably make him lousy at selling cars. But as Congress and the president try to strike a deal on the national debt, they have made Cantor a hero to ardent anti-spending conservatives.
And here’s the material Mike Allen pulled from the Politico story to strip it down to basics for readers of his daily Playbook:
Cantor owns the GOP’s spotlight in the debt-limit talks now that Boehner’s effort to fashion a groundbreaking ‘grand bargain’ has fallen apart. It was Cantor who walked out on a commission led by Vice President Biden when the topic of tax hikes was raised. … At a White House meeting on Monday, Cantor used color-coded spreadsheets to explain to the president and congressional leaders where he believes agreements on spending cuts had been reached by the Biden group. … ‘It looks like he’s maybe listening to the rank and file a little bit more closely,’ Rep. Raul Labrador, an Idaho Republican with strong tea party credentials, told POLITICO’s Arena on Monday. ‘He understands what the rank and file want.’
So what do you think? What does this mean for Cantor? Does it have any deeper ramifications for Virginia’s congressional delegation? What if any effect does it have on the debt talks?
July 12, 2011 - 2:28 PM
It’s pretty obvious Cantor is making his play for fame, and a 2016 recognition, if not one in 2012. The sensibility of his actions have no consequence, as this is all about the political stage. Ramifications for Va congressional delegation? None. It’s only about Cantor, nobody else. He won’t abandon his office, unless he feels certain of securing the Presidential nomination. If so, he’d hand pick the replica to replace him, so it matters not in that arena.
Good job Mason go to Politico, The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times to find out what is happening within the Republican party. Good show what next you will be telling us that China is a great and peaceful nation with only the best intent for all mankind because you read that in the Beijing People’s News?
@Jack:
For different takes on this topic, you can also read John Boehner’s take at Fox News or an opinion piece by Juan Williams, also writing for Fox News.
Certainly, I don’t cover Washington, DC, in person. I’m not vouching for any of those sources, necessarily.
However, I do trust the ability of our readers to read and decide for themselves.
That last statement goes not only for other news sources but for my stories as well.
– Mason Adams
I don’t think political rivalry is unique. Pelosi faced it and many before her as well. Cantor wants to be the leader but IMO he is incapable due to his stringent ideology. Boehner has sense but he is running scared. I do not think Cantor will come out on top but that is just my opinion. There is no accounting for the political masses. I think they have overplayed their hand and will reap the whirlwind but we shall see.