Boehner "stood before the House Republican Convention and urged delegates to 'return to our roots, reclaiming our mantle as the party of reform.'"

Boehner takes central role on convention's stage

By Jessica Wehrman
Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 03, 2008

ST. PAUL, Minn. — House Minority Leader John Boehner Tuesday, Sept. 2, stood before the House Republican Convention and urged delegates to "return to our roots, reclaiming our mantle as the party of reform."

"Washington today is broken," he said. "And the Democratic Congress is its most visible symbol."

The reformer refrain is one he's sung since 1992, when as a member of the "Gang of Seven," he bashed Democratic policies, one he repeated during his successful bid for House Majority Leader in 2006.

Previously known for the famous, late-night parties he first began at the 1996 convention, this year Boehner, R-West Chester Twp., has a new role: convention chairman. He will spend a lot more time on the podium, presiding over the adoption of the party's committee reports, including its platform and other rules. At the end of the week, he'll bang the gavel to draw the convention to a close.

It's a formal role for an informal guy, one who pokes fun at reporters' clothes and haircuts and who is always ready with a quick quip.

But it also highlights the role the 58-year-old has had to take in the two years since Republicans lost the majority of the House of Representatives. The bar owner's son who clawed his way back from a fall from House leadership in the late 1990s has become the face of a party still reeling from 2006 losses. Whether that descent continues in 2008 may determine whether he can keep that role.

Pundits predict Boehner's job as minority leader is in jeopardy if Republicans lose too many seats in the fall. Boehner won't speculate.

"We've been writing our political obituary for 18 months," he said. "And all I can tell you is we will do better than people expect."

As evidence, he points to John McCain's strong showing in recent polls. Way back in March and April, he said, the political conventional wisdom was that McCain "had no chance." Now, "McCain is basically in a dead heat with (Barack) Obama up in Ohio," he said. "That's a remarkable turnaround."

David Wasserman, a political analyst with the Cook Political Report, describes Boehner as "an aggressive leader" who has been hindered by bad luck.

"Voters are seeing congressional elections through the lines of the presidential election," he said. "There is very little oxygen left in the room for the statements and actions of members of Congress, including Minority Leader Boehner."

Wasserman sees it as "entirely possible" that House Republicans will see double-digit losses in 2008. If that happens, he said, Boehner may be in trouble.

But U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, doesn't see that happening. "He lets members be themselves, let's them fight about issues they're passionate about," he said. "But he tries to make sure the team comes together at the end of the day on the important things."