The Senate Republican Caucus also met today to cast some votes, secret or not, and selected its leadership for the 111th Congress.  Mitch McConnell returns as Minority Leader “by acclamation”, according to a source on Capitol Hill.  Richard Lugar placed his name in nomination, seconded by Tom Coburn; he had no competition for the spot.

This makes sense to me, at least in terms of the daunting task Republicans face in the next two years.  McConnell did a good job in tying Harry Reid’s hands and aggressively sought to derail the Left’s agenda.  Of course, he had the help of an ever-ready filibuster and the threat of a presidential veto behind him.  McConnell may have neither in the next Congress, but he’s shown toughness in the last two years that had been missing from GOP leadership in the past.  He’ll need all of it in the next two years.

Jon Kyl gets the Whip spot, which should cheer conservatives.  Kyl has a solid record in Congress and is known for his ability to bring people together.  Is he tough enough to crack the whip as well as play good cop?  We’ll see, but the selection makes sense.

John Ensign and John Thune will take over the top two spots in the Republican Policy committee.  I’d prefer someone like Coburn, Jim DeMint, or Jeff Sessions, movement conservatives who can articulate clear policy alternatives, but Ensign did a good job in a very difficult year at the NRSC.  Lamar Alexander as Conference Chairman is another selection I’d prefer go to a Coburn, Sessions, or DeMint.

John Cornyn will replace Ensign at the NRSC.  I like this choice, for a couple of reasons.  First, like McConnell, he just won re-election and won’t have the distraction of personal campaigning.  Second, Cornyn has been active in putting himself out on the national stage on big issues.  He’s good on television and articulate on a broad range of topics.