More Scary Conservatives

In my recent article about the future of the Republican Party, I suggested that, rather than moving toward moderation, the GOP is likely to push harder toward hard-line conservative ideological rigor. Certainly that has been the overwhelming advice coming from conservative talk radio and blog sites -- but, as I suspected, it is also coming from the party's leaders.

It appears that John Boehner may hold onto the top position among Republicans in the House of Representatives. But the number-two position in the House GOP leadership, Minority Whip Roy Blunt, and #3, Republican Conference chair Adam Putnam, are both out. It appears from reports that Eric Cantor of Virginia will move up from Deputy Whip to take Blunt's spot, and Mike Pence of Indiana will likely replace Putnam. Names being discussed as possible replacements for Cantor as Deputy Whip are Jeb Hensarling of Texas and Kevin McCarthy of California. Meanwhile, Tom Cole, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, looks like he may be replaced by Pete Sessions of Texas.

Guess what all these potential new leaders have in common?

Lifetime ratings above 95 from the ultra-right-wing American Conservative Union: Cantor--96, Pence--99, Hensarling--98, McCarthy--100, Sessions--97.