More of the Same

The Republicans' decision to replace the Bug Man with John Boehner is akin to replacing your sandwich's moldy white bread with moldy sourdough bread. Either way, you end up with a bladder infection.

The eight-term Ohio lawmaker brings lobbying baggage of his own to the post of majority leader, a critical job as Republicans struggle with internal divisions and increasing scrutiny from federal investigations epitomized by disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Last month, Boehner — pronounced BAY'-nur — refused to return some $30,000 in donations from American Indian tribes represented by Abramoff. He recently came under a harsh spotlight for accepting donations, parties and trips from Sallie Mae, the nation's largest provider of student loans, as it lobbied the House Education and the Workforce Committee, which Boehner chairs.

And for the "You-can't-make-this-shit-up-if-you-tried file" via Atrios:

House Republicans are taking a mulligan on the first ballot for Majority Leader. The first count showed more votes cast than Republicans present at the Conference meeting. Stay with RollCall.com for updates.

I guess they hired Diebold again.