[SKINNYPIG]

Yes, it would be risky, but it would give him a high profile and build name recognition. If he cannot fend off media attacks and elevate the public's perception of Congress, then it would be better to find out over the next couple of years instead of in 2016. Another thought, which I have heard Mark Levin toss out is to consider electing a non-House member as Speaker. It has never been done, but according to Levin, the Constitution does not require that the Speaker be a member. I would love to see Republicans give it a shot by voting Col. Alan West into the Speaker's position. IMO, West is the best off-script proponent of conservatism in the GOP and his defeat last night is just one of many reasons that Priebus needs to go. West does not have the experience to run in 2016, but if the GOP voted him into the Speaker's position (and he was not ruled ineligible by the Supreme Court), he would have the experience before the next election. I love watching West speak and I cannot be alone in having that opinion.

Thanks to Priebus, Michelle Bachmann almost lost, and Mia Love did lose her race in Utah. Those were critical seats to win and Republicans should have pulled out all stops to win them. The GOP owed Bachmann big time for her GOTV effort in the 2010 mid-term elections, but I got the feeling that Boehner and Priebus would have been happy to have seen Bachmann lose last night.

Boehner would most definitely like it if Bachmann lost...Crazy!

Alan West is one of my favorites, love to see him as Speaker.