It ain't easy being a freshman.

Ohio Congressmen Steve Driehaus and John Boccieri may be regretting the 111th Congress being their first.

First up, Boccieri:

At public meetings nationwide, people have expressed anger that Congress is even considering creating a government-run health insurer or public option to compete with private insurers.

At a meeting of about 100 people Tuesday night, there was the opposite sentiment. Several people — nearly all Democrats — expressed frustration that U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, D-Alliance, has not endorsed the public option.

Damned if ya do. Damned if ya don't. Hard to win when even your base can't stand ya, eh John?

And then Driehaus:

Rep. Steve Driehaus, D-West Price Hill, has been getting it from both sides - from the left and from the right - on the subject of health care reform.

Now, Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele is getting his oar in the water.

Steele’s planning a barnstorming tour through four Ohio and southern Indiana congressional districts, trying to turn up the heat on the four Democrat House members who represent those areas.

In addition to Driehaus, Steele is also visiting the districts of Mary Jo Kilroy and 2nd termer Zach Space. The GOP is breaking out the big guns to help challenge Driehaus & Co. as they warm up for rematches with Steve Chabot and Steve Stivers, respectively, and upstart first-timer Jeanette Moll for Space. Remember, Driehaus only won with 52% in the year of Obama. Kilroy by only a few hundred votes. And Space has his own vulnerable district. Somehow, I don't think those margins will hold as well this time around.