Republican regroup

WASHINGTON-The shake-up of Republican leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives has begun. The GOP has lost seats in the House in back-to-back elections, calling the party's leadership there into question. This election left Republicans with 19 fewer seats, as numbers now stand. With John McCain's loss in the presidential race, many say Republicans are now in the "wilderness."

Two leaders have stepped aside, but one hasn't-Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. Many speculated before the election that he would lose his position because of the House GOP losses, but no challengers have stepped forward.

On Thursday, Minority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., announced, as expected, that he would be stepping down from the No. 2 GOP leadership position. His deputy Eric Cantor, R-Va., is in line to take his place.

"I think it is a good idea for someone else to bring a different strategic sense," Blunt told reporters Wednesday.

In a letter to Republican colleagues, Blunt wrote that the party's recent work in Congress was not futile.

"When many were saying it was political suicide, we gave the surge a chance to work, and today we are rapidly handing over control of Iraq to a stable government capable of securing the peace," he wrote. "We stopped billions of dollars in frivolous spending."

Blunt added that the party's losses were "in part due to circumstances beyond our control."

The No. 3 Republican, Rep. Adam Putnam, Fla., also took the hit for party losses and stepped down from his position as conference chair. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., is expected to take the spot, with the support of Boehner.

GOP leadership elections in the House will take place around the same time as Congress' lame duck sessions that begin in two weeks, where they will consider legislation before the next session begins. With no clear direction forward, House Republicans may continue reshuffling over the coming days.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi hopes to introduce a second economic stimulus bill at that time.

In the Senate, which won't experience a leadership shake-up like the House, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who retained his hotly contested Kentucky seat, will remain in charge.