Pelosi's effectiveness
Boehner is dealing with free-minded individuals who have principles they're defending and ideas that aren't solidly in line with Old School Republicanism. Dealing with individuals is inherently chaotic, especially when the new crowd isn't "business as usual."
Freedom is messy.
Pelosi could count on a monolithic set of mindless myrmidons who would toe the party line no matter what. It's like admiring a communist leader because he's so good at getting the Politburo to see things his way.
This unthinking obedience burned a lot of Democrats out of office last election as they voted Pelosi's will when their constituents were telling them to do the opposite.
We're seeing this now in the Senate, too.