Months ago I predicted that Nancy Pelosi would be a one-term Speaker. Not because the GOP would win back the House. Because her political instincts would prove to be so bad that she would not be reelected by her caucus. Steny Hoyer is in her shadow — only because she couldn’t get her man John Murtha through, as you’ll recall — and proving himself a smarter pol.

A little evidence? This just in from John Boehner’s office:

WASHINGTON, DC – House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today issued the following statement after a united Republican Conference defeated H.R. 2237, a bill offered by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) that would have forced an unconditional American retreat from the biggest front in the War on Terror, by an overwhelming vote of 171 – 255. Joining Republicans in defeating the proposal was House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD):
“This vote confirms that a bipartisan majority of members understand a precipitous retreat from the Global War on Terror would have a disastrous impact on the safety and security of the American people. It also confirms that Republicans and many rank-and-file Democrats want to fully fund our troops without hamstringing our generals or including billions in excessive spending.
“The record is now clear. The House today rejected calls for retreat, but the question that remains is whether we will stand behind our troops and support their fight to win. Anything less, and indeed anything in-between, is a disservice to our men and women in uniform. It’s time to put politics aside and fully-fund our troops.”

This war isn’t popular and for good reasons. But neither is hurting our troops. Fort Dix week isn’t a great time to be playing games.