Quote: ...Among those calling for change within the Republican Party was Vin Weber, a GOP lobbyist and former House member from Minnesota with close ties to the Bush administration. "If they don't take fairly dramatic action and reclaim the mantle of reform, [Republicans] are going to lose the House," Weber said.
And former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said he thought DeLay was no longer in a position to be House leader. "They have to elect a new majority leader," Gingrich said. "My bet is they will."
Under GOP House rules, DeLay gave up his leadership position when he was indicted late last year in Texas on money-laundering charges. DeLay has expressed confidence he will be cleared of the charges and has sought a speedy trial. But so far, his lawyers have been unable to expedite his case.
"At some point it goes 'Tilt,' " Gingrich said. "You don't have to say Tom is guilty of anything to say they need a new majority leader. A very significant number of House members said to me [Wednesday] morning that the entire world has changed in the last few days" because of the Abramoff scandal.
If House Republicans decide to choose a permanent replacement for DeLay, many Republicans expect Blunt to be challenged by Rep. John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Education Committee.
Don Seymour Jr., Boehner's press secretary, denied reports that the lawmaker had begun calling colleagues to line up support. "Some members have approached him, but he isn't approaching them," Seymour said. "He hasn't asked for a single vote."
In the Senate, Frist said that after consulting with members, he would "examine and act on any necessary changes to improve transparency and accountability for our body when it comes to lobbying." ...
