Rep. Eric Cantor: Virginia's invisible GOP star

Speculation about U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor's chances of becoming John McCain's running mate faded while most Virginians were still trying to put a face to that name.

Cantor is unknown outside his Richmond district, but that's not the case on Capitol Hill. A National Journal poll of Republican insiders in July ranked him second behind former Gov. Mitt Romney as their favored pick. McCain ignored the poll and went with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Cantor was nonplussed as he jetted between the two party conventions in full spin mode.

"You deal with what's in front of you," he said, "and right now we're working to get John McCain elected."

Cantor's publicity counts less than the opportunity to dole out favors. He lacks the charisma for a national candidacy, but he's carved out a nearly foolproof path to the upper echelons of power in Washington.

Cantor, 45, has thrived through his party's rising and declining fortunes. If the House's fourth-ranked Republican can hang tight through a few more power shifts, he could one day be its top Republican. His youth and his safe district suggest he'll be a fixture on Capitol Hill for decades.

"He is young, and he looks younger than he is," said Florida Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart. "But he's one of the go-to guys. He's not loud. He's not vociferous. But he's one of the hardest-working people you'll ever meet. This is not the last we've heard of Eric Cantor because his future in the House is limitless."

Cantor's game plan is pretty simple: Be nice. Be loyal. Stick to the party talking points. Make yourself useful to important people. He began his career as the driver for former Congressman Tom Bliley, who helped him win a seat in the House of Delegates.

A real estate lawyer, Cantor earned the nickname "champion of the overdog" in the General Assembly for legislation such as a bill to give fuel tax refunds for pleasure boats. His most popular, but unsuccessful, initiative would have automatically returned budget surpluses to taxpayers.

Cantor found his niche as a fundraiser after his 2000 election to Congress. As finance chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, he has raised $5 million for the 2007-08 races through his personal campaign fund and political action committee. His pro-business credentials have helped him woo cash from private equity investors, hedge fund managers, utilities and insurance companies.

Until his name surfaced on McCain's veep list, Cantor was best known in the national press for his creative fund raisers at swanky spots in Beverly Hills and Aspen.

Cantor's golden touch helped win him a leadership post as chief deputy whip. He's proven himself a team player, taking the lead in defending then-Majority Leader Tom DeLay from ethics questions in 2005.

Cantor has shown little interest in forging relationships with Democratic lawmakers. But he has worked across party lines recently on legislation that would offer tax credits for railway investments. "It's going to take a bipartisan push to solve problems," he said.

Cantor may be a late convert to bipartisan cooperation, but he has plenty of time to hone a new skill.

Christina Nuckols is an editorial writer for The Virginian-Pilot. Reach her at (804) 697-1562 or christina. nuckols@pilotonline.com.