McConnell, Boehner in line for top GOP posts

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans and Democrats are picking their party leaders for the Congress that convenes in January, in separate elections utterly lacking in suspense.

Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is assured of becoming the next Senate majority leader, and Republican congressman John Boehner of Ohio is on track for a third term as House speaker.

Neither man faced public opposition on the eve of Thursday’s party elections. The closed-door meetings are likely to be celebratory occasions for Republicans, and far less than that for Democrats who took a pounding in the midterm elections.

Despite sizable election losses, Democrats appear to be on track to hand Nevada Sen. Harry Reid and California congresswoman Nancy Pelosi another two years as party leaders, postponing a generational change that appears not far in the future.

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