Elsewhere in the Post:

Two critical factions are barely represented on either lawmaker’s [Blunt’s or Boehner’s] list: Western states and the Republican Study Committee, a group of 100-plus conservatives. Both are considered potential power bases for Shadegg, who hails from the West and who chaired the Conservative Action Team, an RSC precursor. Senior GOP House aides said the RSC is expected to endorse a candidate after its retreat at the end of January, when members of the group are hoping to interview the contenders.
Shadegg acknowledged that “there certainly is a bloc of members out there who are looking for an alternative” but stressed that he lacked the political networks of two declared candidates. “I was never going to be competitive with Blunt or Boehner in jumping into this race with a team of people to whip votes,” Shadegg said. But he added: “Do either one of the candidates sufficiently recognize that we need to change? At the moment, I’m not convinced either one of the two have.”