GOP fight for energy gavel mars otherwise seamless transition - The Hill's E2-Wire

By Gautham Nagesh - 11/22/10 07:10 PM E

"Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) has positioned himself as the favorite in large part because Rep. Joe Barton (Texas), the current ranking Republican, needs a waiver from GOP rules to continue leading a committee on which he has served as chairman and ranking member.

But Upton’s conservative credentials have come under challenge from Rush Limbaugh and other critics on the right, leaving a door open for Barton as well as Reps. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) and Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.). Upton has spent the weeks since the midterm elections proving his conservative bona fides, promising to crack down on spending and prevent federal funds from paying for abortions."