September 28, 2005

Dreier Rejected

Conservatives rejected Rep. Dreier as interim Majority Leader.

DeLay, according to several GOP sources, knew that House rules would give him no choice but to step down immediately. But he made clear to Hastert, his longtime friend and protege, that he was determined to fight the charges and return to power as soon as possible.

What he 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.

Rep. Roy Blunt is DeLay's replacement for now. Reuters is reporting [via TPM] that he and Dreier will "share some leadership responsibilities." It's nice to see conservative Republicans are feisty and getting tired of the current leadership. They have a little momentum. Let's hope they can turn that into getting some real spending cuts passed. That should create a positive loop with the grassroots. As with anything in Washington, I'm preparing for the worst but hoping for the best.

"Attempt to Pick Successor Is Foiled" [via OTB]