Wamp for Majority Whip

Tennessee Congressman Zach Wamp is asking his Republican colleagues in the House to consider him for the majority whip position. That is IF there is more of a shake-up in the house leadership.

Texas Republican Tom Delay said over the weekend that he would not be returning to leadership.

So if current whip Roy Blount, Jr. becomes the majority leader, it would leave the whip post open. In a letter to the Republican Caucus, Wamp told his colleagues that the status quo will not suffice.

“Our mantra should be “policy before politics” and we should stick to our guns with the faith that the American people will stay with us as we stand our ground.”

Wamp called on his fellow House republicans to renew their commitment to the core principles that brought them into the majority in 1994.

Wamp may have been caught somewhat flat-footed by the leadership shakeup. Over the weekend, other House members vying for the leadership were making calls and signing up supporters.

The Whip’s role is to count votes on legislative bills and to convince members to support the party’s position.