…from soundings on the Hill:

–Shadegg’s entry froze the race in place. Otherwise Blunt would have continued his march and locked it up long ago.

–Three weeks of terrible press obviously hurt Blunt.

–Boehner was helped by his strong performance at the study committee.

–Boehner was perceived as running his campaign based on policy, ideology, and merit, which served him well.

–Shadegg supporters clearly went to Boehner on the second ballot. Boehner had shrewdly hugged the Arizonian throughout the race, making himself acceptable to Shadegg’s supporters and further associating himself with reform.