It’s been a tough few weeks for Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, who hails from Bucks County, but begrudgingly represents parts of Northeast Philly. First, the Pennsylvania Republican ditched his swearing-in ceremony to eat cake and perhaps raise funds for his 2012 re-election campaign.

Then, he held his hand up to a television on the CSPAN channel (or CSPAN2?), believing this counted as a swearing in, though it obviously did not. His staff told press he had no idea he was missing his swearing-in, although since he’d previously claimed he’d sworn in via television, he’d clearly been watching the festivities. (For the record, we’re calling Mike Fitzpatrick a liar, in case his staff is reading.) He then signed a letter of apology, which Rep. George Miller of California noticed was signed by auto-pen!

On Tuesday, we found out the Bush Administration illegally used federal funds to send government agents and political operatives to Pennsylvania’s 8th district back in 2006, to help Fitzpatrick win his re-election campaign against happy-go-lucky now-former Rep. Patrick Murphy. The former psychopath president was, of course, unsuccessful. On Wednesday night, Fitzpatrick slipped in some snow, and broke his ankle. Now – yep, there is a now – Isaac Wood, writing for Center For Politics’ Crystal Ball, is naming Fitzpatrick as one of your vulnerable House members for 2012.

The reason: Although the 8th District has been back and forth over the years, it’s voted for Democratic presidents since 1992 and Republicans are currently swelling the House at unnatural levels (they currently have 242 members, their largest majority since 1949). Over the past 50 years, re-elected presidents bring an average of 10 new House members with them. Obama’s approval ratings are higher than most presidents at this stage in their executive service (save W. Bush, since he was able to capitalize on a terrorist attack, fake color-coded threats and an impending war). Being the dude seems to be channeling some newfound “middle ground” while the Republicans toss comedic science fiction television characters in our faces as their new yearly saviors, and therefore have no one to run against Obama, Fitzpatrick better be worried.

Image: PhillyBurbs