At 'rock bottom,' GOP choosing leaders

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By Stephen Dinan and Ralph Z. Hallow

After a second election with big losses and no heir apparent, the Republican Party is looking for a messenger, House Republicans are girding for a leadership battle and relieved senators are standing pat after losing at least five seats.

"It's time for the losing to stop. And my commitment to you is that it will," House Minority Leader John A. Boehner said in a letter to his colleagues asking them to give him another term.

So far no challenger has emerged to fight the Ohio Republican, but changes are brewing for the rest of House Republicans' leadership, including a powerful challenge for the No. 2 slot by Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia; the resignation of the No. 3 Republican, Conference Chairman Adam H. Putnam of Florida; and a battle for policy committee chairman.

Four years removed from Karl Rove's dream of a lasting majority, two years after Republicans' last pummeling at the polls, and with the Bush era coming to a close, Republicans see the leadership fights as a chance to regroup and redefine themselves as a lean, mean minority that shed at least 19 seats Tuesday.

"We're rock bottom," said Rep. Thaddeus G. McCotter, Michigan Republican and the incumbent policy committee chief. "We are now free to start thinking again, acting again, and doing the right thing by what our constituents and our country need."

A free-for-all is brewing over who will run the Republican National Committee, and who among the slew of presidential also-rans is best positioned to become the national face of the opposition party.

"We are looking for energy innovation and someone who can win the argument," said former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, widely regarded as the best combination of idea man and successful insurgency leader in modern Republican history.

Fergus Cullen, chairman of New Hampshire Republicans, said Mr. Gingrich should be among the party's stars who audition for the job of "face of the GOP."

"It doesn't mean we're not going to vote any one of them off the island, but I'd like to see Sarah Palin try out, so to speak. And [Michigan Republican Party Chairman] Saul Anuzis. He's got good leadership qualities, focus, vision, good judgment," Mr. Cullen said, also mentioning former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele and South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson.

Mr. Steele was considered the most popular and likely choice for RNC chairman in 2004 but found himself vetoed by Mr. Rove, the Bush White House's political adviser.