John Boehner tries to reassure Republicans nervous about Ryan

Retroactively speaking, this photograph suddenly makes so much more sense. According to Politico's Alex Isenstadt, last night John Boehner hosted a conference call aimed at reassuring nervous House Republicans that Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan won't hurt their chances of winning reelection:

"The pundits are buzzing that with Paul on the ticket, the Democrats are going to attack us on Medicare," Boehner told members on the call, according to two sources familiar with the Speaker's remarks. "Well, here's a news flash: they were gonna do that anyway."

"The best defense on Medicare is a good offense," Boehner added. "And Paul Ryan gives us the ability to play offense."

What a difference from two years ago, when Boehner was instead trying to reassure voters that House Republicans wouldn't be crazy enough to actually support Paul Ryan's agenda:

Representative John A. Boehner, Republican of Ohio, the minority leader, has praised Mr. Ryan but said the Roadmap would not be a part of the Republican agenda this fall.

'There are parts of it that are well done,' Mr. Boehner told reporters last month. 'Other parts I have some doubts about, in terms of how good the policy is.'

The difference between then and now? Back then the tea party didn't control the GOP. Now it does. And despite Boehner's attempt to put lipstick on the pig, Republicans are right to be nervous about the politics of the Ryan plan.