Jerry Lewis For House Leader

Yeah, sure, we'll have to endure those "Who else could the GOP appoint as leader but Jerry Lewis?" jokes, but Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) is not that Jerry Lewis.

Lewis is chair of the all-powerful Appropriations Committee, so he knows how to wield power, twist an arm and build a majority vote. He's solid on business, right-thinking on immigration and environmental issues, and most important, he's from California.

With the Dems having Pelosi and the Feinstein/Boxer duo, it would just be silly for the GOP to not have the nation's most populous state represented in its leadership. Lewis is the former chair of the California GOP House Caucus, so he can rally -- and build -- this large block.

And, as leader he could begin to create a base in the state for its eventual liberation from the state's oppressive Dem yoke.

I'm sure Roy Blunt (MO) and John Boehner (OH) -- equally name-impaired as Lewis -- are fine guys. One can make a point for having a leader from one of these swing states, where any GOP advantage can help garner 2008 electoral college votes.

I'd argue the opposite. Because the GOP leader is inherently going to be a bad press magnet, Blunt or Boehner could actually dim GOP chances in their home states.

There's slight chance the GOP is going to pick up California's electoral votes anytime soon, so Lewis will be able to swing for the bleachers. Blunt or Boehner would be more tarnished by a GOP loss in their state, while Lewis would be praised for small gains. And that would let him focus on his leadership position more.

He's yet to throw his hat into the ring; I hope he does, and that the GOP sees the merit of my fine arguments.