Boehner To Run For Minority Leader Again; Rep. Adam Putnam To Step Down

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/hensarling-seeks-3-gop-spot-boehner-says-hes-staying-2008-11-05.html

Hensarling seeks #3 GOP spot, Boehner to run again
By Jackie Kucinich
Posted: 11/05/08 09:33 AM


Battle for control of the Republican Party accelerated in the aftermath of defeat. Rep Jeb Hensarling, a leading fiscal hawk, will declare his intention to run for the third ranking position in the GOP House leadership Wednesday, according to a source close to the Texas Republican.

His move will come quickly after Rep. Adam Putnam (Fla.), the current chairman of the House Republican Conference, announced his retirement from the post late Tuesday.

Hensarling heads the conservative Republican Study Committee, a position that has a two year term limit. His opposition to the $700 billion financial sector bailout, that passed the House in October, could help his candidacy because several members were dissatisfied with Putnam's response to the Wall Street crisis.

Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) also wasted no time sending a letter to conference members Wednesday morning declaring his intention to keep his position.

"I’m deeply disappointed by the outcome of Tuesday’s election," he wrote. "But I’m equally committed to building a lasting majority on the reform principles that define us and inspire our citizens. For this reason, I’m writing today to announce my candidacy for Republican leader in the 111th Congress, and to request the honor of your vote.”

Boehner said strong leadership would be needed because of the increased number of Democrats in the House who, "want us to stand aside for the next two years, abandon our principles, and give the new administration and the Democratic leaders of Congress a free pass.

"It ain’t gonna happen. It must not happen."

[aquart]

1. "Lasting majority" ? In a democracy?

I consider that statement anti-democratic.