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Washington Prowler

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To a number of reformist types, Boehner appears to be more palatable and with the program.

One note about Boehner's Abramoff connection: media reports aside, there is no evidence whatsoever that Boehner has ever had a connection to Abramoff or his organization. According to Boehner supporters in the House, there is no evidence that Abramoff had anything to do with the $30,000 or so Indian tribes donated to Boehner over his time in the House.

"The reality is that Indian tribes have been actively seeking support for their issues for years, long before Boehner came to office," says a Washington, D.C.-based political fundraiser. "Boehner has insisted that he has no ties to Abramoff, and the evidence bears him out, yet the mainstream media has just taken it as truth that he has ties. It's not fair."

ON BLUNT'S SIDE OF THE LEDGER, he has been in leadership under Tom DeLay for several years, with a reputation for identifying and nurturing talent within the caucus. Exhibit A: Rep. Eric Cantor (Va.), one of his deputy whips, who is in line to replace Blunt as whip should his boss be elected to higher office.

Blunt is viewed as more in line with the Hastert/DeLay approach to legislation and coercion, but there is growing evidence that Blunt will have to adapt this style, if the closing weeks of the last congressional session are evidence.

Blunt's time as acting leader was deemed a marginal failure. He could not keep his caucus in line, he struggled to muster the necessary votes, and the vaunted GOP machine in the House appeared to be creaking a bit.

But Blunt rallied. He is a tenacious negotiator, a more than sold fundraiser, and has the support of the White House and GOP leadership outside of Congress. All of which can create a smooth transition during a time when a smooth transition would be nice for a change.

"What does all this talk mean?" rhetorically asks a Republican operative in leadership up in the House. "Not a damn thing. If you talk to longtime staffers up here, they will tell you that there are at least four twists yet to go in this story, and they don't know where it is going to go."

ON THE SENATE SIDE? This morning look for Sen. Ted Kennedy to mispronounce Judge Alito's name at least twice more. We'd say it could be a drinking game, but his questions will probably come around 10:30 a.m., too early for most to be drinking...unless you're a Kennedy.

topics:
Nancy Pelosi, John Boehner, Mainstream Media