Fired Up, Ready To Go?

ST. PAUL -- As GOPers gather here to nominate John McCain, optimism's not only growing for the WH nom's chances, but Min. Leader John Boehner (OH-08) also likes his party's chances in the House. In an interview, he said he expects the party to do "better than expected."

-- Saying his troops are "fired up," Boehner said the energy debate has galvanized GOPers, both inside and outside the chamber. That'll be a big difference from earlier in '08, when NRCC Chair Tom Cole (OK-04) said his biggest concern was incumbents' morale. He also said Sarah Palin's addition to the WH ticket has further helped energize GOP campaigns, particularly in the Midwest, where he believes voters will identify with her.

-- But is morale high enough? A Politico story notes that several House GOPers would find it easier to rehabilitate their party if Barack Obama was in the WH. Sure, history says there are significant benefits to being the "out" party during a president's first mid-term election. But if GOPers were really "fired up," would they even be floating '10 scenarios?