Boehner says energy will help GOP in the fall

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) predicted Tuesday that House Republicans will do better than expected in the fall, adding that the GOP will be helped by its plans to produce more “American-made energy.”

Boehner argued that energy would be the GOP’s top issue this fall, adding that there is unanimity among Republicans to cull more domestically produced sources of energy, such as drilling off the U.S. coast and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

{mosads}The Ohio lawmaker told a joint meeting hosted by Americans for Tax Reform and The American Spectator that Republicans would emphasize the energy issue as part of a four-pronged strategy that also includes highlighting national security, economic security and healthcare.

“We’ve outlined a number of ideas and proposals below the big headlines,” Boehner said. “Members and candidates will be able to draw from those [headlines] what they want to draw.”

The Ohio lawmaker told a group of conservative journalists that there will be no effort on the part of congressional Republicans to further nationalize the race. However, he added that the House GOP has worked closely with the campaign of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to build consensus on Republicans’ stances on issues.

“There’s not one strategy that’s going to work in every district in America,” Boehner noted. “We’ve got to determine what’s going to work best for each individual member and district.”

The lawmaker just returned from a highly publicized trip to ANWR with several House Republicans meant to boost support for drilling in the area.

Boehner stressed that there are “clear majorities” in both chambers of Congress to support greater energy exploration, but blamed Democratic leadership for preventing votes on such issues.

“The only thing standing in the way of what we want are Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Barack Obama,” Boehner said.

Nonetheless, noting that his caucus is far behind the Democrats in fundraising, he conceded that Republicans will have difficulty with a “handful” of seats this fall. However, he said GOP candidates will do “better than expected” in 23 to 24 races. He refused to say how much better than expected.