WP: After Abramoff, a GOP Scramble

[Pirate Smile]

After Abramoff, a GOP Scramble
DeLay's House Colleagues Anticipate a Leadership Shake-Up

By Jonathan Weisman and Shailagh Murray
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, January 6, 2006; Page A01

An internal battle is underway among House Republicans to permanently replace Rep. Tom DeLay (Tex.) as majority leader and put in place a new leadership lineup that is better equipped to deal with the growing corruption scandal.

Acting Majority Leader Roy Blunt (Mo.) will ask House Republicans to make his temporary tenure permanent early next month if, as is likely, DeLay is unable to clear his name in the gathering corruption and campaign finance scandals, according to a member of the GOP leadership and several leadership aides.

The move would almost certainly touch off a GOP power struggle between Blunt, whose rise to power was heavily aided by DeLay and House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (Ill.), and House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John A. Boehner (Ohio), a former House leader who has been maneuvering for a comeback.

But other potential candidates could add unexpected twists, especially if rank-and-file Republicans decide that neither Blunt nor Boehner would present a fresh response to the corruption scandal triggered by Jack Abramoff, a GOP lobbyist with close ties to DeLay.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/05/AR2006010502449.html

[PretzelWarrior]

1. I vote they put in the guy named "Boner" from Ohio. It's a 2-fer.

first of all. funny name. second, he's a Republican from Ohio so the odds they will jump from the frying pan into the fire with ascension of another guy who turns out to be crooked would be priceless.

[aquart]

2. Kinda like San Diego.

[caligirl]

3. He is a fool, making himself a bigger target this way. Abramoff crook.

[snowbear]

4. Can someone remind me again.....

Why the House is on vacation through all of January?

I thought it was because they voted to resume only "after leader DeLay was back at the helm"

Is that what the case really is??

If that's the case.... why don't House Democrats make a bold statement about the ludicrous reason House Republicans are taking this BOGUS leave.. and why don't they (the Democrats) physically return to their offices in protest?

Thanks for any clarification!