Ohio Congressman Wins Majority Leader Race, Replacing DeLay

February 2, 2006
Ohio Congressman Wins Majority Leader Race, Replacing DeLay
By CARL HULSE and DAVID STOUT
New York Times

Representative John Boehner, an eight-term Congressman from far west Ohio, defeated Representative Roy Blunt of Missouri today in a stunning upset to succeed Tom DeLay as the House Republican majority leader.

Mr. Boehner received 122 votes to 109 for Mr. Blunt in a runoff made necessary by an inconclusive first ballot. The victory for Mr. Boehner signaled that many House Republicans are uneasy about the lobbying scandals that threaten to tar some of their party colleagues, and that they perhaps wanted far more change than Mr. Blunt seemed to promise.

The defeat must have been galling for Mr. Blunt, the party whip who had been serving as interim majority leader and had seemed confident of victory. But he was smiling and gracious in defeat, saying "The world goes on." He said Mr. Boehner and he "are great friends" and that he looked forward to working with him.

The first ballot ended inconclusively, with Mr. Blunt earning 110 votes (7 short of victory), Mr. Boehner 79 and Representative John Shadegg of Arizona 40. Representative Jim Ryun of Kansas, the world-class miler of the 1960's, got two votes.

Mr. Shadegg and Mr. Ryun, who had not been an announced candidate for the post, then withdrew, leaving Mr. Boehner and Mr. Blunt to battle for a majority. Mr. Shadegg's followers then gravitated to Mr. Boehner.

Mr. Boehner (pronounced BAY-ner) is 56 and one of 12 children. In the early 1990's, he was a top lieutenant of Representative Newt Gingrich of Georgia when Mr. Gingrich was minority whip. He managed Mr. Gingrich's campaign to become Republican leader and remained close to him after Mr. Gingrich became speaker following the Republicans' 1994 victory in the House elections.

Mr. Boehner and Mr. Shadegg teamed up, at least briefly, last month in trying to force Mr. Blunt to debate them publicly. "It is our understanding Roy has now declined invitations from two nationally-televised Sunday morning news programs to appear with us and directly discuss the issues facing the future of our Republican majority," they said then in a joint statement. "It's unfortunate that at a time when House Republicans are having a serious conversation about our future the candidate who claims to be the front-runner has so far refused to engage in a debate about how we will reform the House and change the status quo."

There are now 231 Republicans in the House, to 201 Democrats and 1 independent; there are 2 vacancies. Democrats are hoping to capitalize on Republican embarrassment over the lobbying scandal to cut into the G.O.P. lead in the fall elections, or perhaps even regain the House for the first time in 12 years.

Mr. Blunt is in his fifth term. He has been close to Mr. DeLay, the forceful Texas Republican who had to step down after he was indicted in his home state on campaign-finance charges. Mr. DeLay's name has also been mentioned prominently in an unrelated scandal in Washington involving influence-peddling orchestrated by Jack Abramoff, the powerful lobbyist who once counted numerous prominent Republicans, including Mr. DeLay, among his friends.

Mr. Abramoff pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion; prosecutors said he had used campaign contributions, lavish trips and meals to influence lawmakers and their aides.

Mr. DeLay has denied any wrongdoing, in Texas or in Washington, and has said he expects to be vindicated. But the defeat of his friend Mr. Blunt was surely not good news for him.

In a prelude to today's vote. Republicans on Wednesday rejected a call to open all seven leadership slots below Speaker J. Dennis Hastert to challenge. But the 107-to-85 vote in an extended closed-door party meeting was evidence of strong discontent among the rank and file in the aftermath of the scandal, a contrast to the discipline and unity that has been a hallmark of House Republicans.

"I think it sends a message to all, leadership and conference members alike, that there is a serious issue we need to face," said Representative Dan Lungren of California, who joined with Representative John E. Sweeney of New York in the unsuccessful push for broader elections.

At the same time, the Republican leadership ran into resistance in its first effort to tighten lobbying rules in response to bribery cases involving Mr. Abramoff and former Representative Randy Cunningham of California. While the House ultimately voted 379 to 50 to ban former-lawmakers-turned-lobbyists from the floor and the members-only gym, members of both parties derided the plan as unnecessary and woefully insufficient.

Representative Michael G. Oxley, Republican of Ohio, said the proposal essentially meant that former lawmakers who were registered lobbyists had to clean out their lockers while convicted felons who used to serve in the House could use the facilities.

"We are somewhat tilting at windmills," Mr. Oxley said.

Democrats said Republicans were ducking the need for significant changes in rules governing interaction between lawmakers and lobbyists and trying to present themselves as advocates of reform when they had cultivated a deep political connection with well-heeled lobbyists.

"Corrupt lobbyists like Jack Abramoff can only be as corrupt as those in power allow them to be," said Representative Louise M. Slaughter of New York, senior Democrat on the Rules Committee.

But Representative David Dreier, a California Republican who heads the rules panel, said the changes were only the first step in revising lobbying rules and were meant to demonstrate Republican commitment to enacting some changes. Mr. Dreier said that complaints had been made about lawmakers being lobbied on the floor and that former lawmakers should not have an unfair advantage over others.

"I will tell you that I've been lobbied on the House floor by former members, and other members have come to us and talked about the fact that this is taking place," he said.

Mr. Dreier had promised to introduce a more comprehensive overhaul on Wednesday but missed the deadline, citing the need for more consultation with lawmakers. In their closed meeting, Republican lawmakers challenged the leadership over some of the proposed changes, illustrating how difficult it could prove to enact major changes.