WASHINGTON — Palace intrigue has always been a mainstay of life on Capitol Hill, and the offices of Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor have provided plenty of fodder over the years.
From disputes over the debt ceiling in 2011 to last months ugly, and public, split over the Fiscal Cliff, GOP leadership infighting has been a sporadic, and often overblown, reality.
But facing an emboldened foe in President Barack Obama and trying to find their footing after last year's electoral troubles, the two offices seem to be putting their differences behind them. At least for now.
The most notable example of the new detente came in the run-up to Cantor's policy speech at the American Enterprise Institute, where the Virginia Republican laid out his vision for the GOP's agenda beyond fiscal matters.
Boehner aides talked up the address, and both camps engaged in a twitter campaign that devolved, at times, into a mutual admiration society.
MT ‏@OhSchnitt check out Majority Ldr Cantor's speech today at @AEI on #MakingLifeWork. Find out what GOP is fighting for beyond the fiscal.
MT â€@OhSchnitt check out Majority Ldr Cantor's speech today at @AEI on #MakingLifeWork. Find out what GOP is fighting for beyond the fiscal.-- Rory Cooper
If you want serious leadership in the 1:00 hour, tune into Ldr Cantor's remarks. If you want something else, the WH is all you.
If you want serious leadership in the 1:00 hour, tune into Ldr Cantor's remarks. If you want something else, the WH is all you.-- Brendan Buck
Appreciated @GOPLeader Cantor's h/t on @meethepress for @SpeakerBoehner's work for kids on D.C. opportunity scholarships. #MakingLifeWork
Appreciated @GOPLeader Cantor's h/t on @meethepress for @SpeakerBoehner's work for kids on D.C. opportunity scholarships. #MakingLifeWork-- David Schnittger
Whether the cooperative feelings will last as the House enters into bruising fights over the sequester and a government shutdown remains unclear. But at this point, at least, the two sides seem at ease with their new relationship.
"The Speaker and his entire team supported and promoted the Majority Leader's AEI speech as part of our continuing use of digital media to advance our shared conservative reform message," said Michael Steel, a spokesperson for Boehner.
Cantor's office declined to comment.