"Sometimes You Lose Battles to Win Wars"

The Hill's take on the attempt yesterday by some House Republicans to clean up their leadership:

After the meeting, Sweeney tried to make it clear that his motion was not aimed at any one member of leadership.

"This is not personal; this has to do with our obligations to the institution," Sweeney said, adding that he was responding to a desire among the conference that leaders recommit themselves to their jobs.

Lungren, however, said the Conference has not done enough to separate itself from the scandal involving former GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff, which has touched several GOP lawmakers.

"The shadow of Abramoff is not a mere distraction but a serious concern we have to address," he said.

If the motion had succeeded, observers speculated that Doolittle would face a challenge because of the recent media scrutiny over his dealings with Abramoff.

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