Boehner, Shadegg call on Blunt to debate

Here's the latest on the race to replace former Majority Leader Tom DeLay as the No. 2 Republican in the U.S. House...

Reps. John Boehner of West Chester and John Shadegg of Arizona today called on Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri, who is the acting majority leader and current majority whip, to make a media appearance with them to discuss the issues in the race for Majority Leader.

Boehner said this in a news release just e-mailed to reporters:

"It is our understanding Roy has now declined invitations from two nationally-televised Sunday morning news programs to appear with us and directly
discuss the issues facing the future of our Republican majority.

"It's unfortunate that at a time when House Republicans are having a serious conversation about our future, the candidate who claims to be the frontrunner has so far refused to engage in a debate about how we will reform the House and change the status quo.

"Our members, our party, and our country deserve to hear all of the candidates in an open and honest debate about their vision for leading the House and helping
retain and expand our Republican majority."

The lawmaker who gets 216 of the 231 House Republicans to vote for them on a secret ballot Feb. 2 wins the race. Blunt has claimed that he has enough support to win, but Boehner also says he has nearly 100 and that he's not backing down.