WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Roy Blunt, the new interim House majority leader, followed a fast-track to leadership, building his own power base and delivering votes.
The Missouri Republican climbed the ladder in just nine years, from a
rookie protege of Majority Leader Tom DeLay to his mentor's acting replacement after a Texas indictment caused DeLay to step aside, at least temporarily.
His challenge now, The Washington Post said, is to prove his mettle in a higher-profile post while not appearing too ambitious, lest he become a threat to DeLay, who has vowed to return to his job when his legal problems are resolved.
Although the two have very different personalities -- Blunt has a smoother and less intimidating demeanor -- Blunt has become in many respects a replica of the former majority leader, the Post says.
