When John Boehner is elected House speaker early in January, there will be more Republicans -- some 240-plus -- than in any House since the one elected in 1946, before Boehner and most other members were born. For a speaker, having a majority in the 240s or (as Nancy Pelosi has in the outgoing Congress) 250s is a sweet spot. If you have 235 or fewer, as GOP Speakers Newt Gingrich and Denny Hastert did, it's hard to hold everyone in line on partisan roll calls. Some members will have districts or convictions that require them to dissent. If you...