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Looking back, who has won Chris Cillizza’s worst week in Washington?

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After his "Plan B" for avoiding the fiscal cliff failed, Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) faced questions about whether he could remain Speaker of the House. "On Wednesday, the House speaker publicly promised that he and his colleagues would pass legislation preserving the current tax rates for everyone earning less than $1 million," Chris Cillizza writes in "John Boehner's worst week in Washington." "On Thursday, Boehner failed to even get the bill to the House floor — admitting in a news release that the legislation simply lacked the votes to be passed. Gut punch."

J. Scott Applewhite / AP

Susan Rice "insisted that she could have been confirmed as secretary of state but that it would be 'incredibly distracting and disruptive' for President Obama at a critical time for his administration," Chris Cillizza writes in "Susan Rice's worst week in Washington" after the U.N. Ambassador withdrew from consideration to replace Hillary Clinton. "For his part, Obama condemned the attacks on Rice as 'unfair and misleading,' though he accepted her decision to take her name out of the mix."

JUSTIN LANE / EPA

"The tea party — that plucky insurgent movement that, as recently as two years ago, began trying to reshape the Republican Party and politics more generally — finds itself flailing as 2012 draws to a close, buffeted by infighting, defeats and a broad struggle to find a second act," Chris Cillizza writes in "The tea party's worst week in Washington." "Tea party patron saint Jim DeMint" -- pictured in 2011 -- "stunned the political world by announcing that he would resign from the Senate at the end of the year to take a job as the head of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank."

Alex Brandon / AP

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice at a Cabinet meeting at the White House in November. After facing tough questions about the Sept. 11 attack in Benghazi, Libya, her expected nomination to head the State Department may be complicated. "Obama, for his part, seemed unconcerned that the criticism was justified — calling Rice “extraordinary” during a Cabinet meeting, a moment that drew applause from administration officials," writes Chris Cillizza in "Susan Rice's worst week in Washington.” "He may still nominate her for secretary of state, but this past week made clear just how difficult that would be."

KEVIN LAMARQUE / REUTERS

'Who knew that the lives of some of the country’s top generals resembled nothing so much as an episode of 'Jersey Shore?'' Chris Cillizza writes in '<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/who-had-the-worst-week-in-washington-gens-david-petraeus-and-john-allen/2012/11/15/0556a446-2f65-11e2-a30e-5ca76eeec857_story.html'>Generals' worst week in Washington</a>' after Gen. David Petraeus resigned because of an extramarital affair and Gen. John Allen was accused of “potentially inappropriate” communication with Petraeus’s paramour. Here, Allen is interviewed in Afghanistan in July.

"Who knew that the lives of some of the country’s top generals resembled nothing so much as an episode of 'Jersey Shore?'" Chris Cillizza writes in "Generals' worst week in Washington" after Gen. David Petraeus resigned because of an extramarital affair and Gen. John Allen was accused of “potentially inappropriate” communication with Petraeus’s paramour. Here, Allen is interviewed in Afghanistan in July.

Musadeq Sadeq / AP

'On Friday, Petraeus resigned from his post, citing an extramarital affair,' writes Chris Cillizza in '<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/who-had-the-worst-week-in-washington-cia-director-david-h-petraeus/2012/11/09/c71f67d0-2aa5-11e2-96b6-8e6a7524553f_story.html'>Gen. Petraeus's worst week in Washington</a>.' 'Petraeus’s fall from grace was as rapid and as steep as any in memory in political Washington.' Here, in April 2007, Petraeus briefs Congress on conditions in Iraq.

"On Friday, Petraeus resigned from his post, citing an extramarital affair," writes Chris Cillizza in "Gen. Petraeus's worst week in Washington." "Petraeus’s fall from grace was as rapid and as steep as any in memory in political Washington." Here, in April 2007, Petraeus briefs Congress on conditions in Iraq.

Melina Mara/TWP / TWP

'Each day is packed full of competing poll numbers that often seem to tell contradictory stories,' Chris Cillizza writes in '<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/who-had-the-worst-week-in-washington-political-polling/2012/11/01/bc786796-246f-11e2-ac85-e669876c6a24_story.html'>Political polls' worst week in Washington</a>.' 'What all of that polling means is that partisans, who already live in a choose-your-own-political-reality world, can select the numbers that comply with their view of the race and pooh-pooh the data that suggest anything different,' he writes. Here, early voters line up outside a polling station in Silver Spring on Oct. 27.

"Each day is packed full of competing poll numbers that often seem to tell contradictory stories," Chris Cillizza writes in "Political polls' worst week in Washington." "What all of that polling means is that partisans, who already live in a choose-your-own-political-reality world, can select the numbers that comply with their view of the race and pooh-pooh the data that suggest anything different," he writes. Here, early voters line up outside a polling station in Silver Spring on Oct. 27.

GARY CAMERON / REUTERS

'When approached at a Cosi by a total stranger pushing a vote-fraud scheme, be very, very leery,' Chris Cillizza writes in '<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/who-had-the-worst-week-in-washington-pat-moran-son-of-rep-jim-moran/2012/10/25/6383c088-1ee6-11e2-9cd5-b55c38388962_story.html'>Pat Moran's worst week in Washington</a>. 'Moran, son of Northern Virginia Rep. Jim Moran (D), learned that the hard way this past week when conservative activists caught him on video providing advice about how one person might be able to cast ballots on behalf of a number of people in next month’s election. Here, Jim Moran greets the crowd after a speech on Capitol Hill on April 5, 2011.

"When approached at a Cosi by a total stranger pushing a vote-fraud scheme, be very, very leery," Chris Cillizza writes in "Pat Moran's worst week in Washington. "Moran, son of Northern Virginia Rep. Jim Moran (D), learned that the hard way this past week when conservative activists caught him on video providing advice about how one person might be able to cast ballots on behalf of a number of people in next month’s election. Here, Jim Moran greets the crowd after a speech on Capitol Hill on April 5, 2011.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

President Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney do battle during the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., on Oct. 16. "Even two men competing to be the most powerful person in the world can turn into bickering children," Chris Cillizza writes in "Civility's worst week in Washington."

David Goldman / AP

On Sept. 14, Libyan military guards check one of the U.S. Consulate's burned buildings in Benghazi. American ambassador Chris Stevens was killed in an attack on the Consulate last Tuesday, Sept. 11. The U.S. diplomatic corps sought to get out from under mounting questions about the events leading up to the attack in Libya last month that left Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans dead. Read more from "The State Department's worst week in Washington."

Mohammad Hannon / AP

President Obama, seen here at a campaign event at George Mason University in Fairfax on Oct. 5, was criticized for her performance in the first 2012 presidential debate. "Gone was the 'hope and change' Obama, the inspirational leader who convinced a nation in 2008 that politics would change for the better if he were elected," Chris Cillizza writes in "President Obama's worst week in Washington.” "In his place was a tentative counterpuncher who repeatedly passed up opportunities to slam Romney on his comments about the '47 percent' or his ties to Bain Capital."

Nikki Kahn / THE WASHINGTON POST

After previous <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/08/24/todd-akin-had-the-worst-week-in-washington/'>“worst week” winner Rep. Todd Akin</a> (R - Mo.) declined to withdrawal from Missouri’s Senate race, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) showed support. But just last month, the NRSC distanced itself from Akin after his comments about “legitimate rape.” The reversal caused “<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/who-had-the-worst-week-in-washington-the-national-republican-senatorial-committee/2012/09/27/848b84dc-08d4-11e2-a10c-fa5a255a9258_story.html'>The NRSC’s worst week in Washington</a>.”

After previous “worst week” winner Rep. Todd Akin (R - Mo.) declined to withdrawal from Missouri’s Senate race, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) showed support. But just last month, the NRSC distanced itself from Akin after his comments about “legitimate rape.” The reversal caused “The NRSC’s worst week in Washington.”

Jeff Roberson / AP

GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney during a news conference explaining his remarks about the 47 percent of Americans who don’t pay federal income taxes. But they were tough to recover from: Gallup polling showed that 36 percent of registered voters said the “47 percent” comments made them less likely to support Romney. Read "Mitt Romney's worst week in Washington -- again."

Charles Dharapak / AP

GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney blasted the Obama administration for a statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in Cairo that, the Republican nominee argued, amounted to America apologizing to the rest of the world. The statement, which condemned "the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims," was issued before protesters stormed the embassy, not afterward. Read more from "Mitt Romney's worst week in Washington."

Charles Dharapak / AP

President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 5. Political conventions used to be exciting and serve a purpose: namely, picking presidential candidates. These days, the confabs are little more than big parties for donors and activists, with virtually no utility beyond being three- or four-day informercials for the Republicans and the Democrats. Read more from "Political conventions' worst week in Washington."

David Goldman / AP

Actor-director Clint Eastwood speaks on the last day of the Republican National Convention. Eastwood did everything but stick to any sort of script that would have given the audience a shot at understanding whatever point he was trying to make. Read more from "Clint Eastwood's worst week in Washington."

STAN HONDA / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Many prominent Republican called on U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin, shown at left, to exit the race after he said that women are able to prevent pregnancies in cases of "legitimate rape." Read more from "Todd Akin's worst week in Washington."

Christian Gooden / AP

Vice President Joe Biden had one of his classic slip-ups, saying to a crowd that included many African Americans: "They’re going to put y'all back in chains," describing banks' presumed role in a Mitt Romney administration. Read more from "Joe Biden's worst week in Washington."

Steven Mantilla / AP

Former steelworker Joe Soptic near a giant drive wheel that was used by a Kansas City, Mo., steel mill that closed in 2001. Priorities USA -- a pro-Obama super PAC -- released an advertisement linking Soptic's wife's death to Mitt Romney's actions at Bain. The ad was criticized as misleading, as Soptic's wife had her own health insurance when her husband lost her job, and Romney was running the Salt Lake City Olympics when Bain shut down the company where Soptic worked. Read more from "Priorities USA's worst week in Washington."

Dave Kaup / REUTERS

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee made a highly unusual public apology to businessman Sheldon Adelson, shown at left. Read more from "The DCCC's worst week in Washington."

Charles Dharapak / AP

Mitt Romney answers reporters questions outside 10 Downing Street in London. The Republican presidential candidate was dinged for saying that reported security problems surrounding the London Olympics were "disconcerting." Read more from "Mitt Romney's worst week in Washington."

Charles Dharapak / AP

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and four other House Republicans targeted Huma Abedin, a longtime aide to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in asking federal agencies to look into whether the Muslim Brotherhood has tentacles within the U.S. government. Read more from "Michele Bachmann's worst week in Washington."

JONATHAN ERNST / REUTERS

Vincent Gray during his 2010 mayoral campaign. Three of the 12 members of the city council called for Gray to resign on July 11 after it was revealed that supporters essentially ran a shadow campaign on his behalf during the 2010 Democratic primary race against then-Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, and did not properly report financial contributions. Read more from "Vincent Gray's worst week in Washington."

Jahi Chikwendiu / WASHINGTON POST

A worker from Florida Power and Light repairs Pepco power lines downed by heavy storms in Bethesda. More than 1 million homes and businesses in the Washington area lost power after the storm, and it took Pepco and Dominion Power way too long to restore it. Read more from "Pepco and Dominion Power's worst week in Washington."

JONATHAN ERNST / REUTERS

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, shown here testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2011, got a little too political in his dissent on the Arizona immigration law. He wrote that the ruling "boggles the mind" in light of Obama's recent decision to stop deporting some illegal immigrants. Read more: "Antonin Scalia's worst week in Washington."

JEWEL SAMAD / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder before the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 12. After President Obama invoked executive privilege to keep documents related to Operation Fast and Furious, a gun-running sting, from Congress, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will vote on June 20 on charging Holder with contempt. Read more from "Eric Holder's worst week in Congress -- again."

JONATHAN ERNST / REUTERS

Protestors hold signs in the Wisconsin State Capitol Wisconsin prior to Gov. Scott Walker's state of the state address in Madison, Wis., in January. Walker, criticized for anti-organized labor policies, survived his recall election, beating his Democratic challenger by seven points. Read more from "Organized labor's worst week in Washington."

Andy Manis / AP

Elizabeth Warren, center, greets people at Dinky's Blue Belle Diner in Shrewsbury, Mass., in April. She earned her second "Worst Week in Washington" this year for acknowledging that she had told Harvard and the Univ. of Pennsylvania about her Native American heritage before she was hired. Read more from "Elizabeth Warren's worstw week in Washington. Again.” and “Elizabeth Warren's worst week in Washington."

Steven Senne / AP

Two former campaign aides to D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray, at left, pleaded guilty to helping prop up the candidacy of Sulaimon Brown, a fringe 2010 candidate who was relentlessly attacking then-Mayor Adrian Fenty. Read more from "D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray's worst week in Washington."

Sarah L. Voisin / THE WASHINGTON POST

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 18: Jockey Gary Stevens rides Oxbow out to the front of the pack on the first straight away during the 138th Running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md., on Saturday, May 18, 2013. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post)

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New York Yankees' Travis Hafner bats during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Sunday, May 12, 2013, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 13: Many seminary graduates are choosing not to become pastors. Rebecca J. Cole received her Master of Divinity and is becoming a community organizer on Capitol Hill. She hugs another graduate after the ceremony. The 2013 Commencement ceremony for Wesley Theological Seminary was held on May 13 at the Washington National Cathedral. (Photo by Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

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epa03704474 A Muslim woman at the ThetKalPyin temporary relief camp near Sittwe in Rakhine State, Western Myanmar, 17 May 2013. A total of 13 people were confirmed dead in neighboring Bangladesh as people began to return home from shelters, a day after Cyclone Mahasen hit the coast, officials said 17 May. EPA/NYEIN CHAN NAING

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Cyclone Mahasen, Texas tornadoes, puffin census, melting Swiss glacier and more.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 16: American Idol Season 12 Winner Candice Glover (C) is seen onstage during Fox's 'American Idol 2013' Finale Results Show at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 16, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Candice Glover wins 12th season of ‘American Idol’

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US actress Claire Julien smiles on May 16, 2013 while posing during a photocall for the film 'The Bling Ring' at the 66th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. Cannes, one of the world's top film festivals, opened on May 15 and will climax on May 26 with awards selected by a jury headed this year by Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI (Photo credit should read ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images)

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**LOC IMAGE** Geo. Hamilton, Assistant Superintendent, Cambria Iron Mills house, Johnstown Flood, May 31st, 1889. (Photo by Ernest Walter Histed / Library of Congress)

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HACIPASA, TURKEY - MAY 5: Syrian refugee Hala ponders her life on the run on Sunday, May 5, 2013, in Hacipasa, Turkey. Three times this morning, the sounds of aircrafts were followed by explosions that shook the ground. Hacipasa, which sits just across the river border from Syria, is home of several hundred Syrian refugees who have been displaced by their home country's conflict. For a year, Hala and her family have been displaced from their home village in Syria because of violent conflict. After bouncing from village to village, fleeing bombings that seemed to follow them, the family crossed into Turkey six weeks ago. Initially, the family was deported back into Syria, where they lived in camps for internally displaced Syrians. But when the camps were bombed, the family was allowed to cross into Turkey. Hala said, 'The blood of the people who died in Syria, the martyrs, is our sad song, but nobody is listening.' (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

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