Tea party rejoices, GOP establishment subdued after Cantor’s upset loss

WASHINGTON (AP) — Now that he’s pulled off a huge upset, defeating House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a Republican primary yesterday in Virginia, David Brat is looking ahead to November — but for now, he’s not spelling out any specifics on policies.

He told MSNBC today that as a Ph.D. in economics, “you analyze every situation uniquely.” He said he prefers to keep the focus on what he calls the “celebratory issues” of yesterday’s results.

Brat, a college professor and political newcomer, is an unflinching foe of easing immigration laws. His win was by far the biggest of the 2014 campaign season for tea party forces.

One moderate House Republican says he’s worried that the defeat of Cantor may bring more congressional gridlock. Peter King of New York says he’s concerned that supporters of Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Rand Paul will “use this as an excuse” to shut down the government.

But Brat’s allies are rejoicing. Brent Bozell, chairman of ForAmerica, says, “The grassroots is in revolt and marching.”

%@AP Links

139-a-10-(House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., with reporters)-“about the Republicans”-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says voters in Eric Cantor’s district have spoken. (11 Jun 2014)

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069-a-14-(House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, in remarks Tuesday after losing primary)-“are facing today”-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor says he’ll continue to fight for conservatives. (11 Jun 2014)

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065-a-14-(David Brat, R-Va., tea party-backed candidate who defeated House Majority Leader Eric Cantor Virginia’s GOP primary, with supporters)-“room number one (garbled comment and cheering)”-David Brat, who defeated House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in Virginia’s primary, thanks supporters. ((note: marginal sound quality)) (11 Jun 2014)

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APPHOTO VARIT101: Dave Brat, right, is congratulated by Johnny Wetlaufer after Brat defeated House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in the Republican primary, Tuesday, June 10, 2014, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Richmond Times-Dispatch, P. Kevin Morley) (10 Jun 2014)

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APPHOTO NYKS101: In this combination of Associated Press photos, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., left, and Dave Brat, right, react after the polls close Tuesday, June 10, 2014, in Richmond, Va. Brat defeated Cantor in the Republican primary. (AP Photo) (10 Jun 2014)

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