November 5, 2008
Posted: November 5th, 2008 10:47 AM ET

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Rep. Adam Putnam, flanked in this file photo by Rep. John Boehner on the left and Rep. Roy Blunt on the right, has said he is leaving his congressional leadership position.
Rep. Adam Putnam, flanked in this file photo by Rep. John Boehner on the left and Rep. Roy Blunt on the right, has said he is leaving his congressional leadership position.

(CNN) – Florida Rep. Adam Putnam, the Chairman of the Republican House Conference, will not seek to retain his GOP leadership post in the next Congress.

“I believe it is time to step off the leadership ladder and return my focus to crafting public policy solutions for America’s generational challenges,“ wrote in a letter to his fellow House Republicans on Election Night. “With the issues before us today come bipartisan opportunities and partisan differences. My current role obligates me to the latter and too often excludes me from the former,” the 34-year-old congressman added.

House Minority Leader John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell are looking to hold onto their leadership positions.

In addition to Sen. Barack Obama’s historic win in the White House race, Democrats netted a total of 17 additional seats in the House of Representatives and five new seats in the Senate. CNN has not projected a winner yet in four outstanding Senate races. Should Democrats prevail in all four of those contests, they would have the 60-seat majority that would overcome Republican attempts to filibuster in the Senate.

–CNN Congressional Producer Deidre Walsh contributed to this report.

Filed under: Congress


Peter (CA)   November 5th, 2008 3:41 pm ET

Maybe the GOP can use last night to re-tool themselves. However, given that they did not learn anything from 2006, that may not happen.

Get rid of the neo-cons, work with President Obama, point out policy differences and then try to get decent people in office where you might be able to do good.

However, given the fact that there are no Republican House members from New England anymore, the GOP may be becoming a party of the South (where they can practice their divisive politics) and the Plains.

Jake145   November 5th, 2008 3:31 pm ET

Adam is a good guy.
He didn't seem to be totally on board with the "garbage" coming from his GOP leaders. It almost looked as though he was being pushed or forced to side with the GOP foolishnes. I'm glad he's changing focus..good for him.

Bea   November 5th, 2008 3:23 pm ET

I guess no one wants the G.O.P..they are so divisive..

N. S. Huntsville, Al   November 5th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

WHO CARES?

D. A. Reuter, Bremerton, WA   November 5th, 2008 2:58 pm ET

The Republican Party needs to rid themselves of the neo-cons and tell them to pack their bags and don't bother to return. The neo-cons took the, once proud, party of Lincoln and T. Roosevelt and started down the path to fascism.

sglman4Obama   November 5th, 2008 2:53 pm ET

Now we watch the republicans fall like dominos! Those who remain are running from the ship! I LOVE IT! Truly the ripple effect of a great night last night

Vickie   November 5th, 2008 2:48 pm ET

Bye, Bye........................

Rave   November 5th, 2008 2:47 pm ET

Yes, dissolve the GOP party and form a new party.
You guys are soo DONE !!!!
Haa Haa Haa
Hee Hee Hee
Look at yourselves you loosers. You deserved this.

JAS   November 5th, 2008 2:27 pm ET

Wow. Talk about a bonus for Dems.
It is amazing how when "enough is enough",
everything else falls right into place.

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