Everyone watching the behind-the-scenes battle for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee gavel has one question in mind: Who does John Boehner want?

Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz, who is trying to leapfrog five more-senior members, and Ohio Rep. Mike Turner, who is No. 3 in seniority, have spent months furiously lobbying the members of the House Republican Steering Committee, which will meet next week to consider their cases.

But all the lobbying may not matter. Boehner has five votes, his leadership team will follow him and vote in a bloc and the speaker has sway over most of the remaining votes, many of whom are his allies. He has, thus far, refused to weigh in even privately with his leadership team or closest allies. His silence is making this contest the most intense battle for power during this otherwise tame lame-duck session of Congress.

The race was one to watch, even before it intensified in recent days.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/darrell-issa-oversight-gavel-112852.html#ixzz3IyLcSa8O