Lungren vs Boehner for House Minority Leader
posted at 11:11 am on November 15, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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After seeing Paul Ryan take a pass at challenging John Boehner for caucus leadership, most people thought that the current Minority Leader had dodged a bullet. Predictions of smooth sailing turned out to be premature. Dan Lungren, one of California’s vanishing conservative stalwarts, has decided that Boehner needs to at least face a challenge in order to justify another term at the top of the House caucus:
Rep. Dan Lungren announced Friday that he will challenge Rep. John Boehner for House Republican leader.
In a letter to his colleagues, Lungren wrote that he thought the Republican Party is headed in the wrong direction and would continue to face electoral defeats unless major changes are made.
“If we don’t admit our difficulties and address them aggressively, we not only run the risk of becoming a permanent congressional minority but we will do a disservice to our nation,” Lungren wrote. “If we choose by inaction to ignore the real challenges we face, then paraphrasing President Reagan, we deserve to be regulated to the trash heap of history.”
Both Boehner and Lungren have tried to keep the challenge collegial. Lungren refrained from personal criticism of Boehner in his letter, and Boehner responded in kind by praising Lungren’s track record as a Republican Congressman. Underneath the collegiality, though, lies the frustration that comes from losing two successive national elections and a desire to find a winning formula.
Lungren has had a long career as a conservative in a state increasingly hostile to the Right. He served in Congress in the Reagan years, and then served as California’s Attorney General for two terms. Lungren ran for Governor but was too conservative to build a large enough constituency, although Californians got buyer’s remorse with Gray Davis and wound up recalling him in 2003. Lungren returned to Congress just in time to see Republicans lose their majority.
At 62, Lungren may not have the appeal to those seeking the conservative leadership of the future, but Lungren is a fighter for the Right. For that matter, so is Boehner. But Republicans in the House may be looking for change after a tough election, and Lungren wants to make sure that the opportunity exists for it.
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Lungren is my representative, and I love the fact that he’s challenging Boehner. It’s about time someone - anyone - challenges the entrenched incompetents in the GOP hierarchy.
Lungren called into Tom Sullivan’s radio program yesterday to announce his intentions, and I nearly let out a whoop when he did. But I work in a fairly staid environment, so managed to keep my head.
sondiehl on November 15, 2008 at 11:23 AM
I guess you missed his 2 bailout votes - YEA
lodge on November 15, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Yeah, well, I didn’t like his votes for the bailout, but no one’s perfect. At this point I’ll take any change we can get. Well, almost any.
sondiehl on November 15, 2008 at 11:27 AM
So what’s wrong with the other 100 or so Republicans who voted NO? Lungren offers no change from Beohner. He’s a career politician who was either too dumb to realise the bailout wouldnt work or too beholden to his business backers.
lodge on November 15, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Let’s hope he has a better grasp of conservative issues than he does of the English language.
AubieJon on November 15, 2008 at 11:36 AM
I have to agree. As Michelle called it, a crap sandwich eater doesn’t need to be a Republican leader of any kind.
bj1126 on November 15, 2008 at 11:38 AM
I am in Rep Lungren’s district and listened in on a few of his phone Townhall meetings he has so far. One issue I have with him is when a caller asked about earmarks he requested, he called them a necessary evil and that the ones he requested were really necessary. He would not commit to canceling or blocking them.
JeffinSac on November 15, 2008 at 11:40 AM
*yawn*
grapeknutz on November 15, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Please convince one to go for it then. These two seem to be our choices at this point. I’d love another choice personally.
Dawnsblood on November 15, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Frankly, Scarlett…
whitetop on November 15, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Next…
moonsbreath on November 15, 2008 at 12:00 PM
I just e-mailed Rep. McCotter. I hope he doesn’t figure out I lied on my being a constituent of his :P
lodge on November 15, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Voted “Yes” on the bailout?
Why won’t anybody who voted “No!” stand up and grab this thing by the horns?
How about Jeff Flake? He’s weak on immigration, but maybe he’ll respond to pressure from the conservatives.
He has a stellar record on earmarks - that seems to be his pet issue.
angelat0763 on November 15, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Flake has said no and I wish he had not and the same goes for Ryan. Add me to the list of people wondering why Conservatives that DID NOT vote for the Crap Sandwich, will not go for the jugular. WE WANT A REAL BONA FIDE CONSERVATIVE WITH SOME SERIOUS FIGHT IN THEM!!!!!!!!!!!! WE WANT BLOOD!!!!!! WE ARE READY TO FIGHT LIKE CRAZY FOR OUR NATION!!!!!!!!!!!
freeus on November 15, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Actually I believe ‘regulated’ is what he intended. Government regulations on anything that moves is part of the reason the economy is being chocked. It hits small businesses the worst due to their lower working capitol.
sharrukin on November 15, 2008 at 1:20 PM
A California conservative would be considered a liberal anywhere else. Even though I voted for Lungren in this last election, I just do not see him as a real leader - he’s just not a take charge kind of guy and that is what Republicans need right now.
If Republicans cannot regain control of their own party, I think we could see a real push for a real conservative party. Third parties are a tough proposition, but maybe it’s what we need since the Republican Party has been hijacked by RINOs.
tballard on November 15, 2008 at 1:30 PM
I am bummed that Mike Pence isn’t pushing for this post again. Instead he’s in a bid to become House Republican Conference Chairman.
Daft Punk on November 15, 2008 at 1:30 PM
How is he on gun control, Civil Rights, and government spending?
sharrukin on November 15, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…………. anyone remember this?
Seven Percent Solution on November 15, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Nothing against Boehner, but Dan’s great.
Bob's Kid on November 15, 2008 at 1:38 PM
That ain’t good.
Are there any actual conservatives left in what remains of the GOP?
Michael Steele OK with the AWB, and affirmative action, and Newt is left as kinda weak tea.
sharrukin on November 15, 2008 at 1:43 PM
I read and compared Lungram and Boehmer. Gotta say Lugnram doesn’t sound like my first pick but if its him or Boehmer I say Lungram.
Whatever happened to Shadegg? And WTF Pence when are you going to step up to 3rd or 4th rank position to get some name recognition, or is your plan to just die were you are?
C-Low on November 15, 2008 at 1:44 PM
No, they are not. Boehner will win.
paul006 on November 15, 2008 at 1:46 PM
Boehner has never asked for an earmark. He’s also from Ohio, which is a state we need to get back to winning. California is hopeless.
Lungren was a bigtime Washington lobbyist in between his first stint in Congress and his election as AG.
I would also heartily support Thad McCotter as a third choice if he would run. He’s the closest thing we have to another Newt right now. But I would rather stick with Boehner than Lungren.
The guy who needs to go is Tom Cole at the NRCC. He did a horrible job. You don’t need a longtime membere to do that job, just someone with energy and organizing talent.
rockmom on November 15, 2008 at 2:29 PM
I’ve got no problem using the Bailout vote as a litmus test for conservatives.
I still cannot get over Juan McCain rushing back to D.C., Mr. No Earmarks, Mr. “Stand up with me and figtht,” and voting for that cr@ppiest of cr@p sandwiches filled with cr@p.
It was hard to look at him after that cr@p.
Let’s roll.
ex-Democrat on November 15, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Vote non-incumbent ‘09!
Seriously. Lungren can’t be any worse than Boehner. I figure that since Lungren supported the bailout and lost 0 elections while Boehner did so and lost 2, that it’s advantage Lungren.
BKennedy on November 15, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Looks like he just pumped the neighbor’s cat…Stick with Boehner.
Nozzle on November 15, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Here is a test, ask both where they stand on the Second Amendment. That’s all the answers you need.
tarpon on November 15, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Just for the record, ‘my’ Rep voted against both version of the bailout. I was very happy he took a stand on it. Not saying he shoul dbe in a leadership position, but I really having a representative who really is a Conservative. I live in Maryland’s 6th which is the only districy with a republican left standing.
Red State State of Mind on November 15, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Why isn’t anyone else running? Cantor? Ryan? Neither of these guys will get things turned around for the GOP.
james23 on November 15, 2008 at 7:22 PM
Lungren is the ULTIMATE RINO
The idea that this moron wants a “leadership role” shows that the Reps have no clue.
Welcome to the People’s Republic of the America.
CrazyGene on November 15, 2008 at 7:45 PM
I’m sure they are both good men who have the right (no pun intended) credentials to be the Minority Leader. This is all about remarketing and that means new blood. I’d rather the selection of minority leader be part of a strategy for 2010 and beyond instead of rewarding past perforance (which is part of the reason how an idiot like McCain got the nomination in the first place).
highhopes on November 15, 2008 at 7:47 PM
Lungren favors gun control and all the rest of the liberal junk.
He’s a very very beta-male and just the guy to pick to lead the party in a suicide pact.
While he’s better than the typical California Democrat, most people would replace him with a real Republican in a heart beat.
For you who think he “can’t be any worse” HE IS!!!
CrazyGene on November 15, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Looks like a solid conservative to me… on the issues: Dan Lungren: http://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Dan_Lungren.htm
Re above comment, do you have a source showing his support for gun control? Because all I have found is his rightful support of protecting gun manufacturers.
Daft Punk on November 15, 2008 at 9:41 PM
He gets a ‘B’ from the NRA, he supports a modified version of shamnesty (if that is what you mean by civil rights) and, from what I’ve seen, he’s not very frugal when it comes to government spending. I will give him credit for supporting clean coal technology, though. And, hey, there’s always his legislation to outlaw the use of semi-submersible vessels in drug smuggling operations.
tballard on November 15, 2008 at 10:00 PM
I remember Lungren. He sucked. And he is not a real Conservative. I lived in Ca. when he was in office. Not to many liked him. And he is for gun control. So that strikes him out for me right there.
sheebe on November 15, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Boehner ALL THE WAY.
Domino on November 15, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Isn’t that position now called
Permanent Minority Leader ?
maverick muse on November 16, 2008 at 12:50 AM
Both, my congressman and my senator, voted againt the bailout. Alabama’s Congressman Aderholt and Senator Sessions! They also won re-election by a landslide! Wooo-Hoooo!
kcd on November 16, 2008 at 7:43 AM
Hardly. He may have conservative enough on a few hot-button issues to scare off the moderates, but he was a flaming liberal on bilingual education (he openly opposed Prop 227, the Unz initiative that passed handily despite his help) and was positively awful on guns. Others have noted he has a B rating from the NRA nowadays. Good for him. Back then he had an F. I do remember getting a letter from the NRA (or possibly CRPA) a few weeks before the election trying to explain why one F-rated candidate was worse than the other, and we should all hold our noses and vote for Lungren rather than skip the election entirely. That’s a hell of a way to fire up the base.
Xrlq on November 16, 2008 at 8:48 AM
boehner is a career politician only concerned with keeping up the appearance of doing something so he can stay in office. boehner is a smooth ted stevens. His buddies on the other side of the isle are more important to him than conservative citizens or even this country. boehner is part of the self annointed political elite that are destroying America.
peacenprosperity on November 16, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Boehner’s abysmal electoral record is reason alone for him to step down as Minority Leader. Unfortunately noone who voted no on the bailout seems to have the intestinal fortitude to run against him. Thus the Republican party continues its grand march over the cliff into obscurity.
sdun1 on November 16, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Lundgren on Fox this morning just said enough is enough on bailouts and is sending the message to the auto industry—-file for chapter 13 (re-organization) and then we’ll talk money.
He’s a fresh change from the status quo.
Rovin on November 16, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Two words for Minority leader…MIKE CHURCH!
After all, Liberals say the most dumb ass things!
BobAnthony on November 17, 2008 at 6:50 AM