Decision Virginia

In a lengthy spread in today’s NY Times, local Congressman Eric Cantor is singled out as the person who may be best positioned to lead a Republican resurgence. Comparing Cantor to former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, the Times’ Adam Nagourney makes the case that Cantor has become the person most turned to when in search of opposition to the Obama administration and the issue that has become synonymous with the President’s first few weeks in office: the economic stimulus plan.

Cantor has, on two different occasions, used his position as minority whip to organize 100% Republican opposition to the stimulus bill. Along the way he has been front and center at meetings with the president and holding a hearing to demonstrate the merits of G.O.P. alternatives to the Obama plan.  A plan he and his colleagues believe is filled with needless government spending and doesn’t contain enough tax cuts.

Here is an expert from the article:
As Republicans confronted President Obama in another budget battle last week, their leadership included another new face: Representative Eric Cantor of Virginia, who as the party’s chief vote wrangler is as responsible as anyone for the tough line the party has taken in this first legislative standoff with Mr. Obama. This battle has vaulted Mr. Cantor to the front lines of his party as it tries to recover from the losses of November.

The article got big play in the paper and its’ web site and even got a link off the Drudge Report.

Of course leading the opposition makes for great headlines and plenty of face time for the Congressman, but it also comes with some baggage. Cantor has now become a regular punching bag for those on the left and has already been subject to radio ads criticizing his opposition to the stimulus plan. This could be just the beginning for the Richmond native who is now right in the middle of Washington’s most contentious battle.