[nathanbedford]

I think we are in agreement. I hold no urgent brief for representative Boehner and I was very pleasantly surprised at his splendid stand against Cap and Trade. I wondered what woke him up and I'm not sure he won't go back to sleep. But for now, he seems to be on a roll and he holds evidently the respect of his colleagues.

I agree with your suggestion of putting Senator DeMint in charge over there. As you are aware, trying to lead the Senate is like herding cats and the best one can probably hope for out of the minority leader is someone who can exploit the post as a bully pulpit and articulate the case against Obama. Mitch McConnell, as you point out, is clearly not doing that.

I just wish that Newt Gingrich had been put in the job of party chairman. The problem with Michael Steele is not just that he is an inadequate spokesman, but evidently he is a miserable administrator as well. Gingrich has proved that he can engineer a national campaign.

[counterpunch]

The problem with Boehner is not one that can be fixed by the occasional stand and attention to an issue.
The problem is he's like Bob Dole all over again.
That is something that can't be fixed.
He lacks both the charisma and the will to be a national spokesman for the GOP cause. Mike Pence has it. John Boehner doesn't.

I'd love to see Newt take over the RNC, and then perhaps run for President in 2012.
The problem with Newt is he is always on the verge of contemplating such things, but then never comes through. He makes Fred Thompson look decisive. Perhaps Newt feels more effective and free outside of power than inside. Sort of like Sarah Palin beginning in two weeks.