What Raul Labrador Won by Losing

*A not-so-subtle move by Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID) may look like a loss, but he’s caught the attention of Republican leadership, the Tea Party and right wing radio talk. He’s against the Senate’s version of immigration reform. What’s his next move? VL

By Tim Alberta, National Journal

Raul Labrador was little more than an outspoken backbencher the day Eric Cantor lost his primary. The Idaho Republican held outsized influence inside Washington on immigration, thanks to his Puerto Rican heritage, bilingual skills, and experience as an immigration attorney. But beyond the Capitol, he was mostly unknown.

Much has changed in two weeks.

While Labrador lost his campaign against Kevin McCarthy to become House majority leader, the second-term lawmaker won himself a larger following in the conservative movement—and a higher profile in the national political conversation, especially among Republican opinion leaders. He chatted with influential conservative voices, such as Sean Hannity, Hugh Hewitt, and Mark Levin. He won endorsement from such tea-party groups as Freedomworks and the Campaign for Liberty. And for one week his name was ubiquitous in conservative-friendly media outlets, ranging from Fox News to The Daily Caller to Breitbart.com.

Click HERE to read the full story.

[Photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr]

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