GOP chooses Rep. Kevin McCarthy as chief deputy whip

Officially, the Bakersfield lawmaker -- who has ascended to a party leadership post after only one term in Congress -- will be responsible for helping Republican Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia plot the GOP response to the Democratic majority's legislative agenda.

Perhaps most important, he'll be working to rally a dispirited rank and file and help Republicans regain control of the chamber.

"Kevin McCarthy has an affable personality, so he puts a friendly face on the party," said John J. Pitney Jr., a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College, who called McCarthy a "consensus builder."

A former aide to Rep. Bill Thomas, whose seat he took over in 2006, McCarthy won the leadership post by demonstrating his political skills, including his familiarity with his colleagues' professional needs and personal idiosyncrasies. It was knowledge he developed by thumbing through the thick Almanac of American Politics, with its detailed profiles of lawmakers and their districts, while on flights between California and Washington.

"You've got to understand people's needs and wants" to succeed, McCarthy, 43, said in a recent interview.

The conservative lawmaker, who represents a safe GOP district that includes much of Kern and San Luis Obispo counties and the Lancaster area of Los Angeles County, also endeared himself to party leaders by tapping his campaign fund to contribute to almost 80 Republican candidates in the last election. He also raised and contributed more than $300,000 to the House GOP campaign committee.

In his new job, McCarthy will be at GOP leadership meetings, which could bode well for California's ability to secure federal money.

"Any time you're at the table . . . that's good for California, absolutely," said Brad Smith, chief of staff to Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas), the top Republican on the House Rules Committee.

McCarthy's move up the Republican ladder comes at a time when California's congressional delegation has increased its clout in Washington.

Not only is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) presiding over a bigger Democratic majority, but California Democrats chair four House committees (more than any other state) and two Senate panels. Four Californians are the top Republicans on House committees.