Republicans Friday chose Rep. John Boehner as minority leader, succeeding Speaker Dennis Hastert in the top Republican leadership post for the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives that convenes in January, AP reported. Boehner's elevation to succeed Hastert as the party's front line leader came despite unrest within the rank and file and a spirited campaign by a fellow conservative, Mike Pence. The vote was 168-27, with one vote for Rep. Joe Barton. Boehner succeeded Tom DeLay as majority leader in February and was easily elevated to replace Hastert, who is leaving the leadership ranks in the wake the Democrats' victory. «We need to start by rebuilding the Republican brand,» Boehner said. «Republicans need to get back to our core principles and rededicate ourselves to the reform mind-set that put us in the majority 12 years ago.» Shortly after the leader election, Rep. Roy Blunt won a 147-57 vote to keep his post as whip, the chief vote-counter, which will be the No. 2 Republican job when the party moves into minority status in January.
