Why Eric Cantor really resigned

[Bob Of Burleson]

By ANNA PALMER, JAKE SHERMAN and JOHN BRESNAHAN
POLITICO.com

In his decision to quit Congress altogether, Eric Cantor gave only one reason: so his successor could get a head start and “have a voice in what will be a very consequential lame-duck session.”

But several GOP lawmakers and aides suggested to POLITICO that there was more to this move. The last thing he wanted, they said, was to endure the humbling shift from 11 years in the leadership to being a back bencher, even if only for four months. And, they said he was already focused on the next chapter of his life in the private sector.
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Although members can explore new job opportunities while still in office, his departure from Congress means that Cantor won’t have to disclose any companies or firms with whom he may be negotiating for a job.

Cantor never moved to the small Capitol office space he was scheduled to take over as a consolation prize for losing his sprawling majority leader suite. Several Republicans said that as soon as Canter lost to economics professor Dave Brat in the Republican primary June 10, there were signs that he wasn’t going to finish out his term.

“Eric is a doer — there’s not a lot to do,” said a former Cantor aide, who was watching Cantor closely since his primary defeat. “Clearly he’s been traveling and talking to a lot of people.”

One House Republican lawmaker said that as soon as Canter lost, “his mind already began to focus on the next part of his life.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/08/e ... z39Eg7wMYI