Blunt Elected Minority Whip

A loss of the majority hasn’t cost Roy Blunt a role in leadership. Blunt, a Republican from southwest Missouri, has been elected minority whip in a 137 to 57 vote over Arizona Congressman John Shadegg. Blunt serves now as majority whip, but will lose that position when Democrats take over control of Congress in January. Some observers had suggested that Blunt might lose his position in the Republicans Caucus as it sought new leadership and new direction following the election losses of November 7th. Blunt says there is no question that the election losses hit hard, but that Republicans have come together with the appreciation of the opportunity to redefine who they are and rid themselves of the bad habits they might have developed during 12 years in the majority.Republicans elected Ohio Congressman John Boehner minority leader. Boehner became majority leader after Texas Congressman Tom DeLay was forced out, because of corruption charges. Boehner won that post over Blunt, who might have suffered due to his close relationship with DeLay.