It's more than likely there will be leadership elections in January. We don't want to go into an election year without a permanent majority leader.

The leadership structure has evolved with earmarks and leadership PACs where [the result is that] leadership is far too powerful. The rest of our colleagues share that view. To the extent we can continue to highlight that, [it] may serve some purpose.

I can tell you if we don't see more than rhetoric, this leadership team is not secure.

The enormous cost of this proposal will only hasten Medicare's insolvency, and we'll have to rely on future Congresses to have the political courage that this Congress lacks,

Our real leverage has come from the fear that DeLay will not have a post to come back to. They are deathly afraid of a leadership election in January.

Steve is prepared to give them leadership. I truly believe this will make Steve a better player and the Magic a more uniform team.