U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., announced last week he plans to run for Republican Whip — a position experts say would boost his career more than it would increase North Carolina’s voice in Congress.
In a statement released by his office, Burr confirmed his decision to run for the number two spot in Republican Senate leadership.
“I intend to run for whip, but that is a long way off,” Burr said in the statement. “There are a lot of issues facing our nation and the Senate, and that is where I am focusing my efforts.”
Mitch Kokai, communications director for the conservative-leaning John Locke Foundation, said the whip position would bolster his public image.
“What is really significant is that it would raise his profile nationally, Kokai said.
Terry Sullivan, a political science professor at UNC, said senators — more than constituents — influence the whip’s decisions.
“The whip has more loyalty to the guys that elect him than anybody else,” Sullivan said. “He is picked by the people he works with, not the country.”
The whip mainly functions behind the scenes to facilitate communication and organization.
“His job is to find out what members think and then convey down to them what leadership wants them to think,” Sullivan said.
Sarah Treul, another UNC political science professor, agrees.
“Although Burr’s decision to run for whip is probably more for party needs, it certainly will not hurt North Carolina.”
Burr won’t run for whip until after the Nov. 2012 general election.
“Burr has a pretty good chance of getting the position,” Treul said. “He has been a good leader for the Republicans in office and has also been pretty loyal to party ideals.”
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