[Timmy]

The problem is much bigger than Boehner. It's primary Bush and the Republican establishment. While I love what Bush has done in a lot of areas (abortion, judges, defense), he's refused to engaged the enemy (the Democrats) and have allowed them and the media to set the terms of the debate. When did he ever defend conservative principles, as Reagan did every time he opened his mouth? And nominating McCain. Perhaps any Republican would have lost this year, with the economy and the media, but at least we could have nominated someone with the stomach to fight Obama and expose his lies during the debates. The House members are casualties of the larger battle at the top.

[Maine Mariner]

Thank you for those observations. You are 100% correct.

I would add one comment. In 2006 several dozen state legislators across the Midwest, including my home state of ND were not reelected.
Long time conservatives were unexpectly defeated. It appears that left-wing groups were raising money and quietly (and legally) sending it to Democratic candidates.
We learned this several months later-I believe I learned about it on Free Republic. We should have been aware in January, 1997 of the left’s ability to raise money.

[chiller]

Dittos...if most people don’t know who are Reid and Pelosi, they sure as hell don’t know Boehner.