The Boehner Effect

The New Republic ^ | 2/2/06 | Michael Crowley

[frankjr]

House Republicans have just elected John Boehner to replace Roy Blunt as their majority leader. A Plank reader who works for a senior Democratic congressman reacts with dismay:

"Blunt was status quo, we can run against status quo. Shadegg would have been a fresh face, would have gotten rid of ear marks, and would have taken them back to their roots but at the same time would have killed their moderates and helped to put four seats in Pennsylvania, two seats in Connecticut, and two in NJ into more vulnerability. Boehner gives the appearance of reform for GOP vulnerables to run on, provides a new face that can't be demonized by Dems (hard to demonize someone as the "Congressman from Sallie Mae", much easier when the Majority Leader is married to a tobacco lobbyist) and is frankly a better legislator than either Blunt or Shadegg. Watch over the next few months as Pelosi goes after him, she will sound increasingly more shrill, and he will get more done."

This correspondent thinks this move may have saved Republicans several seats in the midterm elections. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but most of the above analysis sounds at least plausible to me. Any other Hill Democrats want to chime in?

P.S. Shrewd reader/former Hill staffer M.H. offers this delightful addendum:

"The good news is that Blunt will keep his whip job and he will be trying to sabotage Boehner for the rest of the year. They will make Steny and Nancy look like good friends."

[frankjr]

Dems sad :(

[grobdriver]

If the Dem are sad, then I'm happy.
:)

[TonyInOhio]

Great post, Frank.

I've been on the Boehner bandwagon, having seen him at close range here in Ohio. He'll be an excellent Leader.

[gondramB]

I'm afraid this may be over-optimistic. I'm not convinced that who the Republican leader is will directly effect local elections, at least not very much. The only exception was if they had kept Delay before his charges get cleared up -that could have been a negative.

[ClearCase_guy]

I would imagine that if you went back 50, 60, 70 year ago, the minority party would have catty things to say about the election of a new Majority Leader. Politics is like that.

But I bet the statement would be along the lines of "The country doesn't need another friend of Big Business ..." or "The country needs more government regulation, and this is not the man who will make that happen ..." and so on and so.

The Dems in 2006 take a different approach: "This will be difficult to campaign against ..." or "So-and-so will probably end of looking bad ..."

There is no loyalty to the country among the Democrats any more.

[stopem]

"Mr. Boehner will also resist the xenophobic anti-immigrant streak that has invaded the party,

Oh goody......Not!

Ah xenophobic because we are tired of gangs bringing in drugs, we are tired of supporting (key word) ILLEGALS with our tax dollars, because we expect our government to defend lawful entry?

Xenophobic yeh right, how about security for all citizens?

[FlipWilson]

Is it just me or do we only ever hear about Republican seats being vulnerable? I am finding it hard to believe that only Republican seats are vulnerable. Surely there are a few dems out there sweating it out?

[Katya]

Boehner looks great on tv...and as much as I liked Tom Delay, he was not photogenic. With nine months to go till the 06 elections, positive face time will be a factor with the public. I'm sure he'll do fine, and I'm not arguing style over substance.

[rarestia]

I phoned into a radio show on AM talk yesterday morning. I raised the point that I believe the Dims may not be as dumb as they look.

Perhaps the Rats are actually feigning disdain for Republicans, secretly enjoying the prospect of someone they can work with, and based on a seemingly nasty response, those reps are getting voted into certain committees.

Case in point was Alito. The whacko libs were red-faced and screaming about Alito, but many moderates said he's a good choice for the bench. We see his first judgement going against the conservatives, and it makes me wonder: maybe we were bilked by the Rats?

[Constantine XIII]

Eh, I see where you're coming from, but that sounds awfully convoluted.

I don't think they have that much discipline.

[rarestia]

Convoluted, yes, but given the desperation seething from the Rat party, I wouldn't put anything past them.

[gondramB]

"Mr. Boehner will also resist the xenophobic anti-immigrant streak that has invaded the party,


stopem: "Ah xenophobic because we are tired of gangs bringing in drugs, we are tired of supporting (key word) ILLEGALS with our tax dollars, because we expect our government to defend lawful entry?

Xenophobic yeh right, how about security for all citizens?"

Just for record, that first quote is not mine and instead I agree almost entirely with stopem's response. For example I favor a barrier at the border and no amnesty for illegals.