RNC: Boehner urges partisans to save 'orphan seats'

The 53 "orphan seats" that U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) hopes to win in November include a half dozen seats in New York State — especially one on the "East End of Long Island."

Boehner made his pitch for help in maintaining Republican control of the House as he addressed a joint breakfast of the New York and Puerto Rican delegations at the Republican Convention here in Tampa. 

He defined "orphan seats" as the competitive congressional districts where there is really no presidential race, because the state is expected to vote one way or the other, and there are "no significant Senate races."

In effect, Boehner is writing off Wendy Long, the GOP challenger to Democratic New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who is in her second election in two years and this time running for a full six-year term.

Meanwhile, Boehner cracked a joke the New Yorkers enjoyed.

Noting that it is easier to win an elected office if voters can pronounce your name, Boehner recalled how tough it was for him when he first ran for Congress two decades ago.

"You've heard my name. It looks like 'Beaner, Bonner, Boner," he said. "Well, at least its not 'Weiner."

That would be former New York Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner, who had to resign last year because he sent Internet pictures of his .?.?. well, you remember.