Will Sen. John Cornyn be primaried or demoted?

[badgate]

I was just wondering, I don't really know if this happens after elections. But I know the senator from my state is the chairman of the NRSC, and I imagine on Wednesday he'll either be one of the people pointing fingers or getting fingered about the GOP's failure to clench a senate majority. Is it possible he'll be primaried or lose any leadership positions in the Senate because of that?

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Lose standing yes, primaried probably not, especially as he's not up for another four years.

[Miles]

Lose standing yes, primaried probably not, especially as he's not up for another four years.

His seat is up in 2014.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Lose standing yes, primaried probably not, especially as he's not up for another four years.

His seat is up in 2014.

It is? I could swear he ran in 2010. That might just be because one of his ridiculous commercials from what must have been 2008 sticks really clearly in my memory, though.

I still can't see him being primaried.

[Miles]

Lose standing yes, primaried probably not, especially as he's not up for another four years.

His seat is up in 2014.

It is? I could swear he ran in 2010. That might just be because one of his ridiculous commercials from what must have been 2008 sticks really clearly in my memory, though.

I still can't see him being primaried.

Me either.

Perry would seem much more likely to be primaried.

[badgate]

Oh I'm sure Perry will be. I'm looking forward to it.

[Zioneer]

I'm sure Perry will be primaried, but I'm terrified of the Republican who will do so, because he'll be running to Perry's right.

[RogueBeaver]

No, he's conservative enough and has kept out of trouble with the grassroots. Even Perry, while theoretically vulnerable, probably won't get a primary opponent. The real fun will be Straussians v. Teepers in the House.

[CatoMinor]

He's gonna get a primary challenger for 2014 from the liberty wing of the TX GOP, I have little doubt about that. Whether or not it becomes an actual race is questionable though.

[Indy Texas]

Give the guy a break. It's not his fault fundie rubes screwed up the IN and MO primaries (and DE and CO two years ago).

If anything, he shouldn't have caved and started cutting checks to Akin when the withdraw date passed. They could have used that money elsewhere and the GOP needs to start making examples of their psychotic nominees who manage to lose such easy races.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

The answer, by the way, is 'No, they made him Minority Whip'.

Jerry Moran takes his NRSC position. John Thune becomes Conference Chairman.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

So its

McConnell
Cornyn
Thune

If he doesn't become Majority leader in 2015, McConnell probably leaves the position and then probably resigns if a Republican wins KY Governor election later that year.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

The only change in the Democratic leadership is the departure of Patty Murray. I've heard Michael Bennet is a favorite to replace her.

[Vosem]

I very much doubt Cornyn will receive a serious 2014 challenge for renomination, though it's an outside possibility. Perry will receive a challenge from Attorney General Greg Abbott in the primary, but I think he starts off favored there? In any case, after his 2010 comeback I wouldn't count him out.

The only change in the Democratic leadership is the departure of Patty Murray. I've heard Michael Bennet is a favorite to replace her.

Bennet was the favorite to run the DSCC this cycle too, but he chickened out because of likely Democratic losses. (Which, ultimately, failed to materialize). He strikes me as a very cautious politico and I very much doubt he'll do it in the 2014 cycle. Other possibilities, from what I've read, include Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. Considering that Durbin, Harkin, and Levin are all very high up on the retirement watchlist, which may force Democrats to play some defense in the Midwest, I think Klobuchar is more likely than Gillibrand, considering she's from that area of the country and knows how it's done there very well. It could also, of course, be someone completely out of left field. But I don't think it'll be Bennet.

[Lief 🗽]

Looks like Cornyn got a sweet promotion for gaining negative two seats for the Senate Republicans this cycle. Well done!

[RogueBeaver]

Any Abbott v. Perry primary would make a Quinn/Madigan one look G-rated in comparison. Which would make it quite fun to watch. 

Speaking of Senate committees, apparently Rubio turned down an offer from McConnell to run the NRSC.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I heard that some pushed for Portman as NRSC because of his financial connections and swing state bonefides.

However, it appears that Moran has been working for this for months and had secured a majority of Senators. Whether that is exaggerating or not, but it is possible that he had already shut out the alternatives at this point.

[Vosem]

Speaking of Senate committees, apparently Rubio turned down an offer from McConnell to run the NRSC.

Rubio's future plans, at least at the moment, don't include Senate Republican leadership, especially not a very risky role like head of the NRSC.

[RogueBeaver]

Nor should they IMO.