A few weeks after Republican Eric Cantor of Virginia was elected to a second term in the House of Representatives in 2002, he got a phone call from Roy Blunt, the Republican whip and third-ranking member of the House leadership. Cantor figured his wish had come true and he was getting a seat on the House Ways and Means Committee. Before he ran for Congress, he helped run the family's real estate development firm in Richmond and his chief policy interest was in taxes and financial affairs, precisely what the committee deals with.

But Blunt had a different offer, one that would lift Cantor from obscurity as a Republican backbencher to a leadership position in the House. The job Blunt had in mind was chief deputy whip, the number four position in the Republican chain of command. Cantor was stunned at the offer and said he'd have to consult his wife. But it was all but certain he'd say yes, he told Blunt. And he soon did.

Cantor, 44, is energetic, popular, and respected--the attributes necessary for congressional leadership. As well as he's done, Cantor could have climbed even further in the Republican hierarchy by now. Had he challenged Blunt for whip last fall, he probably would have won. Instead, by doing the honorable thing and aggressively supporting his mentor, Cantor guaranteed Blunt's reelection.

Cantor's ascent seems inevitable. He is likely to become the top Republican in the House--which means speaker, if Republicans regain control--when the current leaders, John Boehner and Blunt, step down.

The retirement of Republican John Warner has created an open Senate seat in Virginia. Democrat Mark Warner, a well-liked ex-governor, is the favorite over either of the two likely Republican candidates, Northern Virginia congressman Tom Davis and former governor Jim Gilmore. The Warner camp is reported to have conducted a poll showing Cantor as Warner's strongest opponent and Republican officials have talked to him about running. Cantor says he has no intention of seeking the Senate seat, but he hasn't entirely ruled it out.

Should Cantor run, it would be an enormous loss to House Republicans. The party has an impressive group of young guns (members under 45) and, fortunately for Republicans, their ranks weren't depleted in the disastrous 2006 election. Of the group, Cantor is furthest along the leadership track. To use a sports analogy, he's the most valuable player.

Adam Putnam, 33, of Florida is another young gun on the rise. He's chairman of the Republican conference and a potential rival of Cantor for a top leadership post. But Putnam is the protégé of ex-Speaker Denny Hastert, who is retiring, and Cantor has the edge. Cantor, by the way, is the only Jewish Republican in the House.

In the leadership race last fall, Cantor's loyalty to Blunt was a matter of obligation. Cantor hadn't been the choice of then-Majority Leader Tom DeLay and Hastert when Blunt picked him as deputy whip in 2002. DeLay wanted Blunt to name Todd Tiahrt of Kansas. (Kay Granger of Texas and Mike Rogers of Michigan were also campaigning for the post.)