Roll Call: Lankford Plays Go-Between for Leaders, GOP Conference
Lankford Plays Go-Between for Leaders, GOP Conference
By Daniel Newhauser, Roll Call Staff
March 25, 2013
Lankford is playing a key role keeping the rank and file of the GOP conference on board with leadership priorities. When President Barack Obama visited the House Republican Conference recently, few were surprised by which legislator GOP leaders chose to address the president first.
With the appearance of a James Joyce character and a voice like James Earl Jones, Rep. James Lankford carries himself with a quiet, dignified confidence that has rapidly vaulted him from an unrecruited candidate in an Oklahoma primary to the fourth-ranking member of House leadership.
The chairman of the Republican Policy Committee sits at the crux of an often-restive conference. One of two members of the historic sophomore class in leadership, he is able to seamlessly traverse the battle line between the leaders and the led. And he is already playing a key role in keeping the rank and file on board as the 113th Congress takes up difficult legislation.
“He’s sitting in leadership without taking any of the shots of being in leadership,” said Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy. The California Republican said he sees great promise in Lankford. “He’s at the table providing where the conference is at. He’s also going back to the conference and saying, ‘This is why we’re doing this, because we’ve been listening to you.’”
McCarthy, Cantor and especially, the hapless Boehner have become nothing but lapdogs for Obama.
If Lankford falls in lockstep w/those 3 stooges, a primary challenge may not be too far behind.