Boehner's Smiling

You know who else is happy this morning? House GOP Leader John Boehner. While the Republicans look like they've lost a little over 20 seats, this far better than many projections (mine included) which had the GOP losing around 30 if not more seats. A big part of political life is out-pacing expectations, no matter how low, and even though last night was rough, Boehner can now go back to his colleagues and ask for more time at the helm of the party's caucus.

Perhaps not surprisingly, Boehner is already this morning forging ahead to retain his leadership post according to this article from Roll Call:

Forging ahead after a wave of losses on Tuesday night, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Wednesday morning sent a letter to GOP Members and Members-elect asking them to keep him on as their party leader in the next Congress.

Boehner said he is “deeply disappointed” by the outcome of Tuesday’s election — which has Democrats on track to gain 15 or more seats — but remains committed to building a lasting Republican majority.

“For this reason, I’m writing today to announce my candidacy for Republican Leader in the 111th Congress, and to request the honor of your vote,” Boehner wrote. “It’s time for the losing to stop. And my commitment to you is that it will.”

Boehner vowed to fight back against Democrats, whose aim is to make Republicans “stand aside for the next two years, abandon our principles, and give the new administration and the Democratic leaders of Congress a free pass.”

“It ain’t gonna happen. It must not happen.”

Signaling a more right-leaning GOP leadership team on the horizon, Boehner warned against viewing Tuesday’s results as a repudiation of conservatism or a validation of big government.

“Instead of throwing in the towel, as our opponents demand, we must redouble our efforts to develop forward-looking solutions to the challenges Americans face — solutions rooted in the enduring principles of reform that define us as a party,” he wrote.

Boehner touted GOP successes during the 110th Congress, which he said included backing a troop surge in Iraq and blocking billions of dollars in proposed new spending by Democrats. However, the months-long protest over the offshore drilling ban was “perhaps the most vivid glimpse of our potential,” he said.

If re-elected as leader, Boehner pledged to “always be straight with you, and I’ll always be open to your ideas. You deserve nothing less.”

My guess right now is that Boehner survives and that GOP Whip Roy Blunt is given his walking papers. Someone's head needs to roll for the losses, but they were not bad enough to cost Boehner his job. Look for Virginia congressman Eric Cantor to get the post.