Fight: Chris Christie vs. John Boehner. Christie is the governor if New Jersey; Boehner is speaker of the House.
How they're fighting: Boehner reportedly decided not to hold a vote on a Hurricane Sandy relief bill — and it didn't look very good to have Republicans vote for spending increases... right after voting for tax increases. But Republican Rep. Peter King called on his fellow New Yorkers to stop giving money to congressional Republicans, and then Christie held a spectacular press conference, declaring the failure to vote on the Sandy bill is "why the American people hate Congress. Unlike the people in Congress, we have actual responsibilities." And, "Last night, the House majority failed most basic test of leadership and they did so with callous disregard to the people of my state... It was disappointing and disgusting to watch." Oh, and especially: "There's only one group to blame ... the House majority, and their Speaker, John Boehner."
Preliminary fight result: The House will vote on $9 billion for flood insurance on Friday; a vote on $51 billion in relief spending will happen January 15, Boehner said. Point: Christie.
What they're really fighting about: Christie is running for reelection as governor this year, and is also probably running for president in 2016. This fight, too, is in a way about the future of the GOP. Will that future follow the House GOP style of focusing mostly on cutting spending? Or will it follow the style of Christie, who specializes in pragmatic compromise made to look more aggressive and manly with no-holds-barred press conferences in which he yells at politicians or teachers.
Fight: Boehner vs. Eric Cantor, the House Majority Leader.
How they're fighting: Cantor wanted the vote on the Sandy bill Wednesday, but Boehner spiked it. Boehner's office told Roll Call that Cantor was in charge of the vote, but Cantor's aide anonymously said it had been Boehner's decision.
What they're really fighting about: Cantor gets a lot of campaign donations from New Yorkers. But since 2011, there have been rumors that Cantor wants Boehner's job.
Fight: Boehner vs. Jeff Landry. Landry is an outgoing congressman from Louisiana.
How they're fighting: Landry has been leading the push to oust Boehner as speaker, National Review's Robert Costa says. Landry told Breitbart News that House conservatives have between 17 and 20 GOP lawmakers who'd vote against Boehner.
Preliminary fight result: Boehner is expected to be re-elected Thursday in a landslide. Point: Boehner.
What they're really fighting about: Republicans don't like being in charge of just one half of one branch of government. Boehner will probably keep his job as speaker because nobody else wants it, Roll Call's Daniel Newhauser reports. There is no "viable replacement."
Bonus intra-Democratic Party fight!