A freshman Republican senator told Politico he wanted to see former Vice President Dick Cheney to be the next speaker of the House.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), an Iraq war veteran and a hawk on foreign policy, endorsed Cheney as Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), the current top contender to replace Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), continues to show reluctance at the idea of running.
“Look, these are trying times for our nation. It’s important to have a steady hand on the helm during times like this. I think experience really counts in a matter like this. I think House leadership experience really matters,” Cotton said, according to Politico’s congressional newsletter Huddle. “And as you know the speaker doesn’t have to be a member of the House: So therefore, Vice President Cheney for speaker.”
Cheney spent a decade in the House of Representatives, rising to the position of House minority whip before being appointed Secretary of Defense by President George H.W. Bush.
Politico pressed Cotton, asking if he was serious about the suggestion.
“He’s a man of the House, he says that himself,” Cotton said.
