'We don't get to choose who they are'

We'll know soon enough whether disgraced former Gov. Mark Sanford's (R) comeback bid succeeds in South Carolina, but if he comes out on top, he probably shouldn't expect to be welcomed with open arms on Capitol Hill.

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Tuesday offered lukewarm support for Mark Sanford on the day of South Carolina's House special election, saying the former governor's political future was now up to the voters.

Asked if GOP leaders would "welcome" Sanford with "open arms" into the conference, Boehner told reporters at a press conference on Capitol Hill that "the voters of the first district of South Carolina will make their decision."

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"Just like any one of us or any of the 435 members of Congress, we don't get to choose who they are," Boehner continued.

The Speaker wouldn't even say Sanford's name out loud yesterday. Can't you just feel the love?

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Win or lose, Sanford isn't trusted by his Republican allies, at least not within the Republican establishment, and while I'm sure Boehner would rather have the seat in GOP hands than Democratic, that's apparently about as far as the Speaker's support goes.

If the former governor intends to ask for any favors -- plum committee assignments, for example -- he should prepare to be disappointed.