During an appearance Friday on CNBC's "Kudlow & Company," HUMAN EVENTS Editor Terry Jeffrey was asked if fiscal conservatives would stand up to President Bush if he and Democrats found common ground to pass measures opposed by the right, such as a minimum wage hike and amnesty for illegal aliens.

Terry said it largely depended on who was elected House minority leader. If it turns out to be Rep. Mike Pence (R.-Ind.), there's no question conservatives would have a leader willing to fight for their cause.

However, even before Terry could finish his answer, the Wall Street Journal's John Harwood said the race is over for minority leader. "John Boehner's staff told me this afternoon, "We've already got the votes.'" (Emphasis added.)



With a week to go before the election, that's an awfully bold statement, especially considering the changing dynamics of the leadership race. Rep. Joe Barton (R.-Tex.), chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, threw his hat into the ring Friday.

Conservatives on Capitol Hill told me Barton's entrance into the race would most likely benefit Pence. The thought is that a guy like Barton (lifetime ACU rating: 94%) comes from the same mold as Boehner (lifetime ACU rating: 94%). Both spent years as committee chairmen as part of the GOP leadership.

Pence could benefit because he now stands out as the true conservative (lifetime ACU rating: 100%) and he's not part of the old guard (like Barton and Boehner).

This race is far from over. It would behoove Boehner's staff to stop telling people it is.

UPDATE -- November 12, 5:18 p.m.: Boehner might think he has this race won, but so too did Rep. Roy Blunt back in January when he was running for House majority leader. We all know how that race turned out.