Rep. John Shadegg: Mark Sanford Could Lead GOP, Not Rush Limbaugh

More proof today that while they may not know exactly who their leader is, Republicans still cringe when people refer to conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh as "the" guy.

"I don't believe Rush Limbaugh was elected," Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz., said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" this morning when someone referenced Limbaugh as the "party leader." "Rush Limbaugh is a television personality. I don't think he's head of the Republican Party, last I looked."

"I'm not sure there is a clear leader of the Republican Party" party at the moment, he continued, adding that "we're in the process of trying to find out who the Republican Party really is." What the party is not is the "party of no," he insisted. As for the party prince (how about a princess?), he likes South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford for the job.

He's "young energetic, has new ideas and he's the fresh face of the Republican Party," Shadegg said.

Sanford is young(er), fairly attractive (obviously beauty is in the eye of the beholder but when compared to many of his fellow Republicans who could be considered almighty "leader"...), grew up on a farm, has four boys, has already served in Congress, and is a rising star in the GOP. U.S. News and World Report's "Washington Whispers" blog today names him among four of their "dark horse" Republicans who may throw their hat into the 2012 White House ring. Sanford also made headlines when he became the first governor to reject some of the federal stimulus money for his state, then again when he was big into the GOP tea parties - and the latest version, tele-tea parties.

And what about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin?

"I think Sarah Palin has to step forward onto the national stage much more than she has so far and we have to look at that issue" again, Shadegg said. "I'd love to see some more women ... I wanted the Republican Party to nominate a woman the last time!"

One name he threw out was that of Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. Blackburn served on the majority whip team when she was first elected in the 108th Congress and continues to be a deputy whip today, is seen and read in media talking about anti-tax initiatives and government reform, and serves on the House Energy & Commerce Committee.

As for criticisms that former Vice President Dick Cheney is mucking it up for the party by taking to the airwaves to criticize President Obama's national security policies, Shadegg and other say that's just not true, and that there's "absolutely" room in the Republican tent for all sorts of Republicans - from Cheney to Colin Powell, who certainly isn't on Cheney's good side.

"His speaking out is not a problem for the Republican Party," Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, added later.

Get the new
PD toolbar!


Follow PoliticsDaily On Facebook and Twitter,
and download the new Politics Daily toolbar!