House Republicans have just elected Ohio Rep. John Boehner to replace Tom DeLay as House majority leader. Boehner beat out Missouri Rep. Roy Blunt, who has been filling in for DeLay and was widely considered the favorite to take his place on a permanent basis.
Although Boehner ran as a reform candidate who could help the GOP move past its problems with Jack Abramoff, it's not so clear that he's the right man for the job. As the Hill has reported, at least 24 of Boehner's former aides have registered as lobbyists in Washington, and Boehner created a name for himself by once passing out checks from tobacco PACs on the House floor.
Boehner says he has never received money from Abramoff himself, but the Washington Post says that his PAC has accepted $31,500 from Indian tribes Abramoff represented. If the media is as sloppy about that distinction when it comes to Boehner as it has been with respect to Democrats, the new majority leader can expect to hear soon about all the Abramoff money he has taken over the years.
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