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Good for the House.

But for a `boots on the ground’ perspective, here’s a letter to me by my House rep, Luke Messer.

January 15, 2015

Dear Mr. *******:

Thank you for contacting me about House Speaker John Boehner. I appreciate hearing from you.

I’d like to share with you the views of one of the leaders of the conservative movement who led the opposition against Speaker Boehner in 2013, but voted for him in 2015. Offering an explanation of why he changed his vote, my colleague Representative Mick Mulvaney from South Carolina said,

This coup today was bound to fail. And in fact, it failed worse than I expected, falling 11 votes shorts of deposing the Speaker. At least two years ago we only failed by six.... The hard truth is that we had an election for Speaker in November – just among Republicans. That was the time to fight. But not a single person ran against [Speaker] Boehner. Not one. If they had, we could’ve had a secret ballot to find out what the true level of opposition to John Boehner was.
(Representative Mulvaney’s full comments are attached for your review)

Despite last minute notice in the hours leading up to a vote, the truth is no potential candidate spent the time to make their case as a meaningful alternative. The choice touted by most conservatives outside of Congress was Representative Trey Gowdy, but he chose not to run. In fact, Representative Gowdy gave the nomination speech for Speaker Boehner in the Republican Conference meeting in November.

In addition to Mr. Gowdy, some of the “most tried and tested conservative voices in Washington” joined me in re-electing Speaker Boehner, including Representatives Jim Jordan, Raul Labrador, Mark Sanford, Trent Franks, Tom McClintock, Matt Salmon, Tom Price, Sam Johnson, and Jeb Hensarling. I remain committed to advancing a conservative agenda that controls government spending, preserves Constitutional liberties, jump-starts our economy, and holds President Obama accountable for his actions.

People are rightfully frustrated with Congress, but this New Year brings a new opportunity to produce results for the American people. My hope is we can unite as a party, get to work, and deliver results. Please don’t hesitate to contact me in the coming year.

Sincerely,

Luke Messer
Member of Congress

[My name redacted to avoid receiving any more `love letters’ from lurking Hoosier lefties/moderate GOP-ers.]

I don’t believe Rep. Mulvaney’s full comments were attached, but I suppose they were something along the lines of: `We make all the right noises—we `talk the talk,’ but we don’t have enough real conservatives with the stomach to fight the Democrats AND Republicans.’

So I suppose the “results” Representative Messer states at the end of his letter involve more of the same from the last six years. How sad is that? We won, we own Congress, but we just can’t get the votes .... and a perpetually lachrymose speaker John Boehner will continue scolding conservatives to “Get your ***es in line!”? While the GOP-e continues to work closely with the Democrats—`Obama wants his checkbook? Obama can have his checkbook!’?
And we are urged to send the GOP more money—and also vote GOP again next year, so they can finally effect real hope and change?
But right now, hmmmm, (clearing throat), harrumph, harrumph—Right now we ... just ... don’t ... have ... the votes.

Here you go for reference:

House Republican slams anti-Boehner movement hard. Like, really hard. (Mick Mulvaney (R-SC-5)

You pretty much received a canned response written by Boehner's staff for distribution among the Republican caucus and their constituents. I got the same thing from my critter, with almost identical wording and hiding behind Mulvaney.

Two issues here--1) If all that was needed was a single GOP member to run against Boehner in November to trigger a secret vote and a stampede, then why did not ANY of these losers do so?

And 2), were any of the newly elected Republicans at that November meeting, and did they have an opportunity to vote?

And if I recall, at the time, the GOP-E meme was to not worry about it, that the real vote would take place when the House convened in January.

Bottom line...they're all cowards and liars, even Gowdy.