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Putnam Poised To Leave GOP Leadership Role

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By BILLY HOUSE

bhouse@tampatrib.com

Published: November 6, 2008

TAMPA - U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam's announcement early Wednesday that he will voluntarily step down from his House Republican leadership role represents a hiccup to what has, until now, been his swift political ascendancy in Washington.

Putnam, 34, of Bartow, does not describe it that way himself.

"I don't view it as a hiccup at all. I think people obsessed with Potomac fever may not understand how someone can voluntarily step off the congressional leadership ladder," said Putnam, in an interview. "But I am very content with my decision and look forward to supporting the work that is ahead of us."

For Putnam, the role of GOP conference chairman - the main party spokesman - has also given him a platform from which he could press issues and measures important to his state and the Tampa Bay area.

He initially moved into the House GOP leadership in early 2006 in a party reorganization after the resignation of then- Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas. He was elevated by his colleagues to the No. 3 GOP post after the Republicans lost the House majority in November 2006.

But Putnam's name will not be among the choices when rank-and-file House Republicans gather behind closed doors in Washington on Nov. 17 to reorganize and pick their party leaders for the new two-year congressional session starting in January.

Putnam said he believes his work in the role as the GOP conference chairman has limited his flexibility to reach across the aisle in a nonpartisan manner.

Putnam also acknowledges he feels a bit beaten up.

"Being the party's chief spokesman gives you great opportunities for exposure, but the facts are that sometimes you are a little bit limited on how you approach that. And certainly, you do begin to accumulate nicks, and they add up," said Putnam, first elected to the House in 2000.

In fact, Putnam's decision also comes amid growing dissatisfaction among Republicans over their party's current leadership, direction and performance.

Going into Tuesday's elections, the GOP was already down 36 seats to Democrats, who held a 235-199 seat advantage. Tuesday, Republicans chalked up a net loss of at least 18 more, with several other races still in the recount stage.

The party's performance even before Tuesday had led to open talk of rebellion, with Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling thought to be gunning for Putnam's job.

Friends say that Putnam has been considering relinquishing his job as conference leader for some time. Putnam, the scion of a prominent family in Polk County agriculture, has four young children between the ages of 2 and 7. They say that like any working parent, he has struggled to balance his time between home and Washington. He also is said to be entertaining a run for statewide office some day.

But it was not until Tuesday that Putnam officially informed his Republican House colleagues that he will not run for his leadership post for the next session.

In a "Dear Republican Colleague" letter, Putnam wrote that he has enjoyed the job, but "with the issues before us today come bipartisan opportunities and partisan differences. My current role obligates me to the latter and too often excludes me from the former."

Susan McManus, a University of South Florida political scientist who has known Putnam for some time, said it is easy for her to understand why he had grown frustrated.

"Rep. Putnam's always been known as person who loves public policy and is very knowledgeable and well-informed," she said. "But being a party leader in Washington makes it difficult to do anything that is not partisan."

Reporter Billy House can be reached at 202-662-7673.

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