"If I could break GOP rules to stay on as Chair of the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee, I would. The Obama Administration is being filled with scandals. They're driving me nuts!"
Due to GOP party rules, Darrell Issa's term as House Oversight & Government Reform Committee Chairman expires at the end of 2014.
Before you say, "THANK GOD," understand that if Issa is not defeated for re-election in 2014, he will still be Issa is as Issa does. Also, whoever serves as Chairman of this important committee will continue to launch bias investigations just like Issa has done, at least if they aren't exercising independent judgement. This is of course going to be the case if the GOP retains control of the House of Representatives.
http://www.politico.com/...
Call them the Darrell Issa wannabes.
About a half-dozen lawmakers are jockeying for the gavel of the powerful House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, trying to prove to their colleagues that they have the chops to probe the Obama administration and savvy to flack their findings on television.
Issa’s term as the Obama administration’s chief inquisitor expires at the end of 2014, and unless leaders waive party rules, he won’t be eligible to keep running the committee.
It’s no wonder so many lawmakers are lining up to take his place. The Oversight chairman has jurisdiction over the flashiest topics of the day: IRS, Benghazi, Fast and Furious, and Solyndra. It’s also one of the highest-profile chairmanships in the House — transforming Issa from an obscure Beltway name into a familiar face on televisions across America.
According to the Politico article, the following are potential choices for successors as Chairman of House Oversight & Government Reform Committee Chairman:
Rep. John Mica (R-FL)
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH)
Rep. Jason Chaffez (R-UT)
Let's take a look at these choices:
First off, John Mica:
http://www.politico.com/...
“I’d like that opportunity,” he told POLITICO in a short interview. “I love it … and I think I could be effective.”
Ticking off the subcommittees he’s chaired during his 20 years on the panel — civil service, criminal justice and drug policy, and now government operations — he said it’s “very important to have an experienced leader in that position the last two years of the Obama administration.”
But Mica — known for his help in digging up the ritzy General Services Administration Las Vegas conference last year — is the first to admit that his seniority isn’t necessarily his ticket to the top.
“On the Republican side, it’s not a question of seniority; it’s a question of showing that you can do the job,” he said.
Out of the three potential successors, John Mica is considered the more bipartisan Republican and less of a divisive, headline-grapping kind of Republican. Doesn't mean we shouldn't criticize him for his record in Congress in general but versus say Jim Jordan, Jason Chaffetz and even Darrell Issa, he's less divisive. Not saying a lot but even President Obama had praise for Mica on being bipartisan for bills such as last year's transportation and student loan bill:
http://www.cnn.com/...
Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama signed on Friday a transportation funding and student loan bill which passed Congress last week in a rare election-year compromise between Republicans and Democrats.
In an unusual show of bipartisanship, members of both parties were on hand for the White House ceremony, including members of the administration, Congress, as well as state and local governments.
"This is an outstanding piece of business. And I'm very appreciative of the hard work that Congress has done on it. My hope is that this bipartisan spirit spills over into the next phase," Obama said, encouraging members to pass larger infrastructure measures and "start doing more to reduce the debt burden that our young people are experiencing."
At the ceremony, he specifically recognized House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica, a Republican from Florida. Standing behind him were Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat from Maryland.
For Rep. Jim Jordan, he's got a mixed record with the GOP:
http://www.politico.com/...
But Jordan’s past run-ins with GOP leadership could be an issue.
As former chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, he and Boehner locked horns during the July 2011 debt ceiling standoff when he vocally opposed Boehner’s legislation to increase the ceiling.
A staffer working for Jordan at the time was caught emailing outside conservative groups full lists of Republicans they could possibly whip against Boehner’s debt ceiling bill — seen as a move to undercut the speaker.
In addition, Congressman Jordan's not really helped on the IRS investigation as far as being fair and objective in getting to information:
Finally, Congressman Jason Chaffetz. Well, his name needs not mentioning much because he, like Issa, is ambitious and wants to rise up the ladder in leadership:
http://www.politico.com/...
The baby of the bunch of Oversight-wannabes, Chaffetz is easily the most outspoken and passionate in his desire for the post.
He was eyeing the gavel before he even came to Washington and he’s not shy about saying so.
“I’ve said that since before I was elected — that’s my No. 1 pick,” he said of the chairmanship in an interview. “I’ve never been bashful about this. … It’d be a dream come true.”
As national security subcommittee chairman, he’s heading up the panel’s ongoing Benghazi investigation.
Of course he's heading up the National Security Subcommittee's investigation on the never-ending Benghazi investigation. He's practically Issa's best friend on this matter:
Hell of a guy you are, Jason Chaffetz!
In the meantime, Darrell Issa is still Chairman of the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee and he'll likely be running for re-election in 2014. Therefore, no matter what he does he will continue to be divisive, partisan and hellbent on power.
If you can't stand to hear more of Darrell Issa's antics, keep the San Diego County Democratic Party busy since they're the most local and active Democratic Party nearby Darrell Issa's area of residence (not to mention his local office).
Make sure you mark down this information and pass it on to others for firing up the base in California's 49th Congressional District if you want to target Issa for re-election and get voter registration drives going. If you can find someone in the CA-49 who can run against Issa in 2014, the more the merrier:
San Diego County Democratic Party Website: http://www.sddemocrats.org/
Address: 8340 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Suite 10 San Diego, CA 92111
Phone: (858) 277-3367
Fax: (858) 571-0275
E-mail: info@sddemocrats.org
Contact Form: http://www.sddemocrats.org/...
Oh and don't forget, the DCCC could use some action as well: (202) 863-1500