The Hill News

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) on Monday began a fundraising push centered around the possibility of House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) taking the Speaker's gavel.

Democrats have established Boehner as one of their key foils heading into the November midterm elections, in which Republicans are expected to make significant gains on Democratic majorities.

"Protecting the House and keeping John Boehner's hand off the speaker's gavel is a top priority for this election," DNC Executive Director Jen O'Malley Dillon said in an e-mail to supporters. "To become the next speaker, Boehner has to help the Republicans win 39 seats they don't currently hold. To ensure that doesn't happen, we're planning the largest voter turnout operation for a midterm election in history. We will knock on more doors, make more calls, and outwork the GOP in every district with a competitive race."

The push is a sign that Democrats are sharpening their mi! dterm rhetoric, making it clear to supporters that the GOP could win back the House and illustrating the implications of a GOP victory. 

Democrats say the GOP under Boehner would offer few new policy ideas and would restore the same policies that pushed the country into a deep economic recession.

Few Republicans doubt that Boehner will not become Speaker should they win back the House majority after losing it in 2006. The Ohio Republican has held his conference in lockstep against President Obama's agenda on key votes such as the stimulus, the healthcare law and climate-change legislation. 

As a result, Boehner has had several high-profile stand-offs with Obama. Boehner's office fired back at the DNC Monday.

"W! ashington Democrats are desperate because the American people ! are aski ng 'where are the jobs' and they know Democrats' failed agenda of tax hikes, endless bailouts, massive spending, and government takeovers isn't working," Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said in a statement.