How much longer are we supposed to watch the circus that is the House Republican caucus?  More important, who is leading on the right side of the aisle?  For two years John Boehner has held the title of Speaker of the House without ever having any of the power or influence that’s supposed to go with it.

On the one hand, I’ve got to sympathize with anyone who has to deal with the number of crazy extremists that Boehner does.  On the other hand, he’s the leader.  He’s got to figure out how to get his people in line or step down.  I keep hearing politicos and pundits theorize that he’s stepping cautiously so he doesn’t jeopardize his re-election to the speakership, but what value is that if he continues to be the guy who can get nothing done?  

Last week even Nancy Pelosi, who has been fairly respectful of Beohner up to this point, laid it out on the line and said he should just “get it done.”  “I did it,” she said.  And she did.  Pelosi is known for her ability to deliver the votes.  She knows that’s the job.  Boehner has never been able to deliver his caucus and as we slide toward the fiscal cliff or fiscal curb, he’s showing no signs of getting any better.

If Beohner can’t deliver this time, his re-election as Speaker will be a joke because everyone will know he wields absolutely no power.  And what does that bode for the 113^th Congress doing anything constructive?

Then again, what will it mean if he Boehner loses and Eric Cantor or some other über-conservative takes his place.  Then we won’t even have the illusion that debate and compromise are possible.  Then we’ll simply know that the Republican’s heels are fully dug in and they will do nothing for the next two years but say no to the President and pass bill after bill that will never make it through the Senate, much less get signed into law.

Someone has to take control of the House Republicans and they have to do it soon.