If the Republicans win enough seats in Congress this November, GOP leader John Boehner will become the next speaker of the House. The Ohio Republican would assume the gavel amid a maelstrom of polarization not seen since the late nineteenth century.

The partisan storm has caused considerable damage to Congress’s reputation.  According to Gallup polling from August and September, congressional approval is now in the high teens, lower than it was in both 2006 and 1994 – two other midterm elections that ousted the incumbent congressional majorities.