As I've mentioned before, Steve Israel protects his own vulnerable seat by never allowing the DCCC to challenge any Republican leaders or committee chairs, not even the ones in blue-leaning districts like Fred Upton (R-MI), John Kline (R-MN) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL).
You may have already read that the Nevada state Republican Party is turning over a new leaf-- at least in terms of the party-sanctioned gay-bashing and anti-Choice mania. I'm not sure how extremists like Sharron Angle are taking this, but over the weekend, Nevada Republicans drastically changed their official party platform.
Remember reading how CPAC had once snubbed Chris Christie and had welcomed him as some kind of conservative hero this year? Well, maybe John Boehner will be caught up in a big scandal one day that will make him a hero too, but he-- unlike Mitch McConnell-- was snubbed by CPAC this year.
When I was growing up, my grandfather always told me to never trust the Democratic Party. "They're not as bad as the Republicans." he always said, "but they're bad in their own way. They make believe they stand up for the working class, but they're just out for themselves." Even back then, it was clear the party was dominated by careerists. The Republicans complain about their party in the same way.
Last week we looked at the persistent Beltway rumors that Boehner has had enough and wants to retire and spend the rest of his life drinking and golfing. If right wing groups have their way, he won't get the chance. They want to defeat him at the polls in 2014.
Yesterday Andy made it official... he isn't running for the western Ohio seat now hold by John Boehner. Below is the letter he sent DWT making his announcement. It appears, at least at this point, that Boehner will once again have no opponent for 2014. Unless Steve Israel wakes up and realizes the value of running someone against the unpopular leader of the obstructionist Republicans in the House.
