Before newbies to the leadership ladder start campaigning, there remain some big dogs to push out of the way. Biggest is Rep. John Boehner, who has been waiting for his shot at the leader’s chair now for several election cycles.

Boehner has been doggedly fundraising, working K Street and helping his colleagues for years and isn’t because he enjoys the hustle of it all. He will be a tough competitor. But the more the merrier.