That’s right. He wasn’t Speaker or Whip. He was Majority Leader.
And then he lost even worse as Minority Leader.
And then he failed on TARP.
He has repeatedly failed on messaging.
He’s a weak leader.
You are right, but I don't think you can fairly blame him for the 2006 results. By the time Delay resigned it was a very bleak picture for the GOP. I give him credit for being willing to stand up for the job at that point.
He must take some responsibility for the 2008 bigger loss though.
He's not my all time favorite politician, but he doesn't strike me as being a total failure either.
Who would you see replacing him as Speaker of the House? (Somehow I don't think "Michelle Bachman" is a realistic answer.)