Redstate

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Republican lawmakers lost their majorities in both houses of Congress for a host of reasons last fall, but one in particular should have caused them - immediately - to change their ways. It was the voters' perception, according to exit polls, that the party is corrupt.

This was no minor concern on the part of the electorate. According to a November 8th story on CNN's website:

By a wide margin, Americans who voted Tuesday in the midterm election say they disapprove of the war in Iraq.

But when asked which issue was extremely important to their vote, more voters said corruption and ethics in government than any other issue, including the war, according to national exit polls.

Nonetheless, in the aftermath of the onslaught, House Republicans somewhat puzzlingly elected John Boehner their Minority Leader. Mr. Boehner has had his moments when it comes to doing things that might give the appearance of corruption. Erick did a fine job of cataloguing them a couple of months ago. But hope springs eternal, and, after all, the newly elected leader spoke these words on November 17th:

"Republicans need to get back to our core principles and rededicate ourselves to the reform mind-set that put us in the majority 12 years ago."

So what do I read on the front page of The Washington Post this morning? Why it's a story entitled "New Rules Still Allow Congress Many Perks," accompanied by a photograph of Mr. Boehner, in which it is explained that one of the main reasons Democrats did not uphold their pledge to keep the House in session five days a week the very first time they had an opportunity to do so is that the Minority Leader

helped persuade his Democratic colleagues to give House members the day off.

The Ohio Republican had his reasons. He was going to see Ohio State compete in the national championship football game in Arizona. Boehner had tickets for the stadium's nosebleed section. Then, Boehner's office said, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. offered him a bird's-eye seat in one of the company's skyboxes.

In the skybox, Boehner mingled with lobbyists for the media giant, whose vast interests in Congress include broadcast-decency legislation and possible restrictions on its hugely popular MySpace Web site.

This favor, by the way, may help explain why Mr. Boehner was so cheery and warm when he handed the gavel over to Nancy Pelosi upon her becoming Speaker and why Republican leadership has been rolling over on so many early votes.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: John Boehner was a terrible pick for Minority Leader. Can't President Bush please find a spot for him in the Cabinet?