House Republican leaders have changed their policy on getting involved in primaries, but there is confusion over what the new policy is.

Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) suggested Wednesday that the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has changed its stance on getting involved in primaries, but the head of the NRCC disputed that characterization.

The confusion stems from remarks made by Minority Leader Boehner during a closed door meeting with House GOP lawmakers Wednesday morning. During his address, Boehner outlined a list of changes that will be made to its campaign-related operations in the wake of the devastating loss in a Mississippi special election last Tuesday. A document detailing Boehner’s talking points was provided to The Hill.

Under the heading “CHANGE#1: Primaries,” the first three bullet points seemed to signal a change in the NRCC’s policy. 

“There are a number of primaries that will occur between now and September….  We’re going to be proactive to prevent situations that leave the eventual nominee short on resources and bloodied for the general election.

….The Leadership team is going to be involved where we can make a difference,” the talking points said.

Cole said NRCC policies on primaries remain intact. He explained that the Republican Conference – not the campaign committee – would be doing more to make sure the most viable candidate wins primaries.

Cole said, “We weren’t going to go in and [spend money in primaries] we can’t afford to do that … It’s not a change in policy at all.”

He added that the NRCC would move to set up more special fundraising groups to systematically target certain races and begin raising money for them now.

Asked whether the NRCC will move to dissuade lackluster candidates from pursuing a nomination, he said, “You don’t think we have pretty frank conversations with [potential candidates]?”

Other changes that Boehner outlined include: ordering an internal audit of how the NRCC handled recent special elections as well as a broader audit to assess “what’s working and what’s not”; tasking Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) to take the lead on establishing a series of candidate funds for targeted races with late primary elections; and developing sample TV and radio ads to help Republican challengers and members promote a positive message of change.

“This is all about how do we do our best for members and candidates going into November,” Boehner told reporters Wednesday afternoon.

Some Republicans have privately grumbled that the NRCC – unlike its Democratic counterpart – does not help incumbents fend off primary challenges.

Two members, Reps. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Md.) and Al Wynn (D-Md.), have been defeated in primaries this year.

Asked if a change in policy would have helped him in his contest, Gilchrest said he was at peace with the NRCC decision not to intervene.

“My life is so much better now, this place can be so constraining,” he said. “Spring has blossomed for me – I feel a deep sense of serenity and optimism.”

More than a dozen competitive primaries are still yet to be decided in some of the GOP’s top-targeted districts, meaning the new strategy could have significant impact on the party’s 2008 prospects.

Under former NRCC Chairman Tom Davis (R-Va.), the NRCC was involved in primaries – a policy that he has pushed publicly to be reinstated.

“You take a lot of grief and you’re not always right,” he said, adding that during his tenure the policy worked. “We have had three seats with bad candidates. A little adult supervision would have helped.”

Cole contended that the primary situation the three districts the Republicans lost this year were largely out of their hands. And he has attributed the losses, in part, to the failing GOP brand.

Republicans have a pair of former members facing contested primaries – Reps. Jeb Bradley (N.H.) and Jim Ryun (Kan.) – but it’s not clear whether those races will be close enough to warrant national party involvement.

In Minnesota, physician Brian Davis has won his state party’s endorsement to face freshman Rep. Tim Walz (D) but still faces a challenge from state Sen. Dick Day.

The biggest races with remaining primaries include several open seats and the efforts against freshman Reps. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.), Harry Mitchell (D-Ariz.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).

Former Maricopa County treasurer David Schweikert and former Secretary of State Sandy Treadwell would likely be the beneficiaries in the latter two races, respectively.

Open seat races that could draw the party’s involvement include retiring Rep. Jim Saxton’s (R-N.J.) district, where Medford Township Mayor Chris Myers would likely receive the support, and Rep. Heather Wilson’s (R-N.M.) district, where Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White has been a party favorite.

Retiring Rep. Jim McCrery’s (R-La.) open seat is also a strong candidate for primary involvement.

Aaron Blake contributed to this article.