Is the fox still guarding the hen house? With scandal swirling in Washington, Tom Delay facing trial in Texas, and others promising ‘significant reform’ in the wake of Jack Abramhoff’s revelations, who was elected to lead the House as a replacement for Delay? John Boehner, from Ohio’s 8th District. What are his claims to fame, where do his laurels rest?

Boehner is perhaps most famous for this role as Santa Claus. Not as part of the group that attached over 14000 pork ‘presents’ in the latest budget bill. No, he sees no harm in spending this money while raising interest rates for college loans. Boehner is most famous for handing out checks from the tobacco industry on the House floor.

Boehner’s name also comes up in connection to court cases. Boehner gave $5000 to help his ‘good friend’ Delay’s defense team. He is suing to stop a trial connected to his conspiracy to thwart a deal struck with the House Ethics Committee after being found guilty of unethical behavior, while later voting to weaken ethics rules.

Certainly someone so close to the perverted lobbying tactics of the past would best know how to clean house.