It was an odd series of events. Executing a plan that had been crafted in advance, House Speaker Dennis Hastert told reporters yesterday afternoon that Rep. David Dreier (R-Calif.) would serve as “acting” Majority Leader following Tom DeLay’s indictment. Then there were rumors that Dreier would share the post with Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). This was followed by an official announcement: Blunt was replacing DeLay.
So, what happened? As it turns out, Hastert was going to tap Dreier for the post, until the far-right vetoed the Speaker’s choice.
What [DeLay] and Hastert wanted was a timeserver, someone to hold the job but with no ambitions to stay in it. And they had someone in mind. This week, an aide to the speaker approached Rep. David Dreier about his role in a post-DeLay caucus. Dreier, a congenial Californian who has loyally served the GOP leadership as Rules Committee chairman, expressed interest in helping Hastert.
There was one big problem: When DeLay’s indictment was unsealed yesterday, conservatives in the GOP caucus immediately erupted in anger over rumors that the selection of Dreier, whom they regard as too moderate, was being presented as a fait accompli.
As the conservatives met to vent frustrations and plot options, Hastert was changing course in a separate meeting on the second floor of the Capitol. Rep. Roy Blunt (Mo.), the majority whip, was making a personal appeal for the promotion. Hastert agreed, forestalling a possible revolt by conservatives, who regard Blunt as one of their own.
Roll Call reports that it wasn’t just the most conservative Republican lawmakers who rejected the Hastert/DeLay/Dreier “arrangement.”
Republican leaders also heard a vocal outcry from outside conservative groups and activists who objected to Dreier’s elevation.
Hastert really rules the roost, doesn’t he? He crafts a plan for a temporary House Majority Leader, who happens to support stem-cell research and oppose a constitutional amendment on gay marriage. Within two hours, Hastert is overruled by the far right.
This is a caucus that will be in disarray for quite a while.
The confusion is not limited to the Majority Leader position.
Republican sources said the unusual new leadership setup — under which Blunt is technically both Whip and Leader — is expected to last at least until January, when the Republican Conference could hold a more conventional vote on who should fill the Majority Leader position. […]
Sources said that at Wednesday’s weekly Republican Study Committee meeting, RSC Chairman Mike Pence (Ind.) and a handful of other lawmakers said they would oppose Dreier when he came up for a vote in Conference. Rep. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.), according to sources, suggested that Pence should be Majority Leader. Pence’s office declined to comment on his statements during the meeting.
Wamp continued to agitate later Wednesday afternoon during the emergency GOP Conference meeting called to confirm Blunt to the Leader position. Wamp stood and announced that he had a letter signed by several other lawmakers calling for formal elections to be held to fill any open position, but his motion was not seconded.
Wamp has expressed hopes of running for leadership some day, and he said Wednesday that the events surrounding DeLay’s stepping down made him “more committed” to that goal.
“I certainly am planning to run for the Majority Whip’s position if it continues to be open,” Wamp said in a radio actuality recorded by his office, adding that he would run for the Whip job as early as January even if it means squaring off against [Chief Deputy Majority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.).]
Forget nature; Congress abhors a vacuum.
James Thurber, a professor of government at American University, said yesterday, “Tom DeLay was like Tito in Yugoslavia. He ruled with fear and also resources to reward people. Now without DeLay, the House will be balkanized.” That was apparent immediately yesterday afternoon — and it’s going to get worse.