The Majority Leader race is done, and Republicans have chosen John Boehner as their new leader. Congratulations to Representative Boehner and his team.

While the first choice of many of us in the blogosphere, Representative Shadegg, did not win the election, his impact on the race cannot be denied. His candidacy reminded his fellow Representatives that real reform, and real change in the leadership, was not simply the right thing to do, but utterly necessary to ensure the success of the GOP in November.

It is my sincere hope that Representative Boehner takes this message to heart, and takes up the banner of real reform with enthusiasm and commitment. And his past statements give reason for optimism. In our blogger conference call, and in his interview with Hugh Hewitt, Rep. Boehner reiterated his strong commitment against earmarks, and expressed support for the idea of posting legislation online for 72 hours prior to any vote. Limited government fans will be pleased with his direct and positive answer when asked if he'd support rules requiring legislation to contain statements identifying the authority within the Constitution that grants the Congress to legislate in that area ("That'd be fine with me."), and his even more direct answer to concerns about McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform ("We ought to blow the whole bill up.").

It is a critical time for the House GOP, and Boehner's leadership will be essential in bringing the party out from the cloud of corruption scandals. He has the opportunity to make this not simply a defensive measure, but a truly positive one that will lead to victory in November --- and not incidentally, real reform in the way that our Congress does business. I'm hopeful he will seize the opportunity...

Tomorrow, the House GOP will meet to elect their next majority leader. And so, one last time, I'd urge anyone concerned with the need for reform in Congress, or with the success of the Republican party, to contact your Representative and urge them to support a candidate who will commit to real reforms. (The House switchboard is (202) 224-3121 ).

I have endorsed John Shadegg as the man I see as best suited to driving real change in the House. But this is a three way race, and one which requires that the winning candidate receive 50% of the votes. Should none of the candidates meet this bar, a second ballot will be held between the two front-runners.

It is my sincere hope that Shadegg is one of the two candidates in the run-off. But politics is the art of considering all the possibilities, and so I think it is important to not just endorse Shadegg, but also to state clearly that, should the runoff come down to John Boehner vs. Roy Blunt, my clear preference would be for Representative Boehner.

I believe Shadegg is the right choice for the GOP at this pivotal moment. But I also am impressed with Boehner's anti-earmarks stance, and he definitely conveys his interest in genuine reform more convincingly than Rep. Blunt.

So I would encourage you not just to let your Representative know that Shadegg should be the first choice, but also make clear that if it can't be Shadegg, it has to be Boehner.

Less than 48 hours left. Make those calls now...

History Carnival XXIV (9 links)
The Elfin Ethicist
He found matter of study to fill a hundred years, and his education spread over chaos. Indeed, it seemed to him as though, this year, education went mad. -- The Education of Henry Adams The Official Souvenir Guidebook of theWorld's Cliovian Exp
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From tonight's SoTU:

"I am pleased that Members of Congress are working on earmark reform - because the Federal budget has too many special interest projects."

From the Porkbusters team, I say: welcome aboard, Mr. President!

I'll spare you the lecture on how cutting pork and limiting frivolous spending is a clear winner of an issue for Republicans (and a relatively painless way to earn back some fiscal-conservative credits that you've lost), as I'm sure Karl has already walked you through that. So let me just remind you that it is, indeed, the right thing to do, and an issue that I hope we'll have your support on in the months to come.

Having the Presidential bully pulpit keeping Congressional feet to the fire on the need for earmark reform is a Very Good Thing --- and one that I sincerely hope is not a This Night Only performance.