November 16 , 2006

Congressman says his focus is on helping Blunt of Missouri win election for minority whip

by Peter Hardin

WASHINGTON -- As House Republicans prepare to elect their leadership tomorrow, Rep. Eric I. Cantor is mentioned as a possible dark-horse candidate for minority whip.

But the Richmond-area Republican insists he is determined to help Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., win election for that No. 2 House Republican job. Blunt is the politician who named Cantor as chief deputy whip late in 2002, catapulting the young Cantor, then 39, into a leadership post.

"Congressman Cantor made a commitment to Congressman Blunt that he was going to support him for this race. And that's what [Cantor's] focus is right now," said Rob Collins, Cantor's chief of staff.

Cantor, who represents the 7th District, has been working to round up support for Blunt, who is currently Republican whip, who faces a challenge from Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz. Republicans will be in the minority in the House when a new Congress starts in January.

Some Washington news reports have quoted unnamed Republicans as suggesting Blunt might not win and should step aside for Cantor.

Blunt sidestepped a question about that in an interview Tuesday on CNN.

"I know he's helping me win. He's running my campaign. He's a great friend of mine. I'm glad I brought him into the whip team as my deputy. I think Eric Cantor is going to be the whip in the House someday, maybe the speaker of the House someday. But right now we're working together to get this job done," Blunt said.