Boehner Runs First TV Ad In Four Years

by JASmius

Hmmm; that's an odd move for the Speaker to make.  Is he concerned about his own re-election this fall - especially given the persistent rumors that he's going to retire after his current term?  Personally I'd buy his leaving before I would his seat being in any electoral jeopardy.  Only one sitting House Speaker (Tom Foley, D-WA5, in 1994) has been defeated for re-election since before the Civil War.  But The Man From O.R.A.N.G.E. insists he isn't going anywhere, from which I can only conclude, what with hordes of Democrats in front of him and vengeful Tea Partiers behind him, that he's an even bigger glutton for punishment than I thought he was.

So....why is he running TV adds?  The answer is kind of....anti-climatic:

House Speaker John Boehner is running his first television ad in four years to rally support for other Republicans in Ohio, Politico reported.

"Republicans have a big opportunity in 2014, and the speaker wants to make the most of it," Cory Fritz, a spokesman for Boehner’s political operation, told Politico. "With no significant statewide primary to mobilize and engage voters in Ohio, we’re stepping up and doing our part to build a strong foundation for victory up and down the ticket in November."

"No significant statewide primary"?  I'm taking from that that there's no Tea Party challenge to Ohio Governor John Kasich (and that he's seeking a second term).  Does this mean that Kasich will be running in November unopposed as well?  How is "no significant statewide primary" an explanation for Boehner running general election ads for other Republicans in March?  Is this a "Let's not take any chances/Let's leave it all out on the field" prudence mindset - which I can certainly respect - or has he seen internal polls that indicate that Ohio 'Pubbies are in trouble, and that that might be a bellweather harbinger of a massive GOP disappointment on November 4th?

Or might it just be an anti-climax after all?

Well, the last time the Speaker ran any TV ads was preparatory to the last GOP midterm tsunami. Why mess with something that you know works?