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February 02, 2006
A Real Boehner
The U.S. House GOP caucus elected John Boehner of Ohio today to be the new House Majority Leader. Roy Blunt of Missouri, who had temporarily filled the post since Sugar Land Congressman Tom DeLay stepped aside amid numerous ethical and legal charges, was thought to have the inside track to permanently seize the position, but lost decisively on a second secret ballot.
Boehner is a well-liked Member who had been part of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's leadership team, but was ousted in 1998. He also gained unwelcome notoriety several years ago for passing out tobacco lobbying checks on the House floor. Boehner is considered very close to the K Street lobbying crowd. It's nice to see the Republicans are making a good faith effort for ethical reform, isn't it?
Blunt had entered the election confident of an easy victory. A few Members, however, brought the caucus's mood down with recitations of dismal GOP polling numbers and apparently tilted the room toward change. Even Boehner was surprised at his victory.
Wow -- a K Street lobbyist crony with his own shady ethics record. House Republicans really cast a vote for change, didn't they?
Posted by houtopia at February 2, 2006 10:15 PM