Posted on 09/08/2015 7:05:47 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Politico ran a piece this morning asserting “Boehner’s future as speaker in doubt.”
“The Republican leader faces a grueling next few months, and even allies believe this will be his last term atop the GOP conference,” is the article’s subhead.
Could we be seeing the last of John Boehner?
With anti-establishment fervor at all-time high (see: presidential candidate Donald Trump’s ascension in the polls), it’s no surprise Boehner is standing on fragile ground with the speaker’s gavel. Grassroots Republicans are sick of the GOP’s “failure theater” and superficial efforts to push an agenda supported by center-right voters while choosing to push the agenda of the GOP’s donor class instead.
“That’s a personal decision he has to make. I don’t know why he would want to, personally,” said Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.), when asked whether Boehner would run again. “But I do think that he feels, in his heart of hearts, he feels like he’s doing what’s best for this country — regardless of what the political consequences are. That says something about somebody.”
And Politico interviewed lawmakers who characterize Boehner’s situation in a sympathetic light. “Caught between an intractable right flank and a Democratic president, they say he’s managed to get a remarkable amount done.”
But consider what he faces this fall: a quixotic but determined fight to defund Planned Parenthood, a potential government shutdown, a deadline to raise the federal debt ceiling or risk default, and a contentious showdown over highway spending. Boehner’s aides say they expect a vote to oust him, formally known as a motion to vacate the chair.
Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), who drafted the resolution to vacate the chair back in July, will not back down from trying to oust Boehner once Congress returns to session. “Top lawmakers and aides in leadership expect Meadows or another Boehner antagonist to try and force a vote before the end of the year on whether to keep Boehner as speaker.”
Perhaps Boehner will not even have the option to run again as speaker of the House.
With the contentious issue of Planned Parenthood funding looming and Boehner (and McConnell) hell-bent on avoiding a government shutdown, it looks like conflicting sides are headed for a collision course.
“The first pressure point is coming soon. Government funding runs dry at the end of September, and conservatives are threatening to oppose any budget bill that continues to fund Planned Parenthood. That is the leading priority of the House Freedom Caucus, the group of 30 or so conservatives that tries to drag leadership to the right.”
Boehner allies continue to downplay the threat. “Look, no question they’re looking at a challenging fall,” said David Schnittger, a top aide to Boehner for 21 years who now works at Squire Patton Boggs. “By the same token, these guys aren’t strangers to challenging situations. What lies ahead looks challenging, but it also looks kind of familiar. Boehner’s in the second half of his fifth year as speaker. Having been there for four of those five years, it seemed like every few months there was a new ‘test.’”
Buckle up: September is sure to be a wild ride in Congress.
History will note that his misleadership along with Mitch’s ended the GOP.
If not now, eventually.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE?
I think he’s gone except for the announcement. On one of the morning shows was mentioned, if I heard correctly, that he just bought a home in Florida. Maybe retirement is approaching. Wouldn’t we all be so lucky?
Don’t read the tea leaves.
Read the mint leaves in the bottom of the empty mint juleps he had for breakfast.
Donald Trump should send Boehner and McConnell a nice ‘thank you’ note. It’s their constant mismanagement of the party and their long list of broken promises and outright lies that have driven so many to support the Donald.
The guy’s obviously a drunk and an embarrassment to everyone who votes republican.
Sacrificial lamb to get jeb elected?
Nancy P. will rally the Dems to vote for him.
Leaving to join the Bush campaign.
Will McCarthy or Scalise be much of an improvement?
The Republicans, if they had an ounce of courage and/or brains, would have the vote to vacate the chair immediately upon coming back to work now. This would cancel the backroom deals the quisling Boehner has made with Obama and McConnell. The lesson is: Don’t choose leaders who are blackmailable when dealing with the Chicago Mafia.
“Donald Trump should send Boehner and McConnell a nice ‘thank you’ note. It’s their constant mismanagement of the party and their long list of broken promises and outright lies that have driven so many to support the Donald...”
Yep, understatement. A bottle of whiskey and the boot. Boner has done much damage (along with McConnell) by serving as enablers for Obama’s anti-American agenda. Liars all. Out.
Similarly you will see a lot of illegals start self deporting without Trump even having been elected.
Why didn’t he just do what he was elected to do? Why?
They’ll just find another RINO to take the point, albeit one whose rhetoric will be conservative sounding at the beginning.
Its in 95 percent of the rank and file we find the RINO cancer. They vote in leadership like Boehner, McCarthy Scalise etc. etc. etc.
Until the RINO rank and file (many who get to vote the right way on certain issues) are replaced, the same old stuff like constant debt ceiling increases will continue to happen.
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