Althouse: "Boehner’s allies have thirsted for this kind of action from the speaker, saying he’s let people walk all over him for too long and is too nice to people who are eager to stab him in the back."

January 7, 2015

"Boehner’s allies have thirsted for this kind of action from the speaker, saying he’s let people walk all over him for too long and is too nice to people who are eager to stab him in the back."

"The removal of Florida Reps. Daniel Webster and Richard Nugent from Rules was meant as a clear demonstration that what Boehner and other party leaders accepted during the previous Congress is no longer acceptable, not with the House’s biggest GOP majority in decades."

81 comments:

NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...: Daniel Webster is in the wrong chamber. Maybe he'll make it back to his rightful place.; 1/7/15, 9:09 AM
NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...: Talk about name recognition!; 1/7/15, 9:10 AM
jr565 said...: if you go after the king, you best not miss.; 1/7/15, 9:16 AM
Tank said...: Great, Zero and Boner can both punish their enemies - conservatives.; 1/7/15, 9:19 AM
Gahrie said...: Those of us who are "eager to stab him in the back" just wish he'd be as aggressive in dealing with his actual enemies, the Democrats and bureaucratic Washington.; 1/7/15, 9:23 AM
jacksonjay said...: Oh my! What will Rush say? I anxiously await the Limbaugh view. Ditto!; 1/7/15, 9:30 AM
Tank said...: Gahrie

Your mistake is thinking that the Dems are Boner's enemy.; 1/7/15, 9:31 AM
NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...: I don't understand people who think they won't face consequences for their actions. They voted to end Boener's political career... but expect to continue their own.; 1/7/15, 9:31 AM
tim maguire said...: Yet another way Boehner is too much like Obama--he hates his personal enemies more than he hates his organization's enemies.

The next stage of the reformation of the Republican Party is to target Boehner supporters like we targeted Obamacare supporters. Knock off as many as possible in 2016.; 1/7/15, 9:34 AM
tim maguire said...: John, we can be angry without being surprised. It's about priorities.

Those people who opposed Boehner were charged by their constituents with taking a stronger stand against the Obama Administration's program than Boehner is willing to take. When he punishes these reps, he is ignoring the will of the people as expressed in the voting booth. Another way Boehner is like Obama.; 1/7/15, 9:38 AM
Nonapod said...: I guess we'll see how this whole establishment Republican politicians actively attacking their own (ostensible) base thing flies. It's not much of a secret that most of the GOP establishment has quietly disliked the "Tea Party" types, but this is the first time I can think of that any punishments against them have been meted out. Jeb Bush is obviously a big believer in attacking ones own base. I'm uncertain how effective a strategy it is, but I guess we'll find out over the next two years or so.; 1/7/15, 9:39 AM
NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...: Tim-

Send Boehner the way of Cantor.

I'm happy that the Republican party can vote out the most powerful members of their leadership. There's a reform element that does not exist in the Democratic party.

Nancy Pelosi represents a Bay Area district... but none of the lefties there can manage to vote her out in the primary. Why not?

That's why Occupy was nonsense. When it comes down to it they won't vote out a single Democrat.; 1/7/15, 9:41 AM
Gahrie said...: Nancy Pelosi represents a Bay Area district... but none of the lefties there can manage to vote her out in the primary. Why not?

You're kidding ...right?

Pelosi, Boxer and Feinstein will continue to be re-elected as long as they deign to run.; 1/7/15, 9:48 AM
Anonymous said...: Dear Leader, Pelosi, and the Democrats, not Republicans, are the ones who walk all over Boehner, are the ones whose asses he kisses.; 1/7/15, 9:56 AM
Michael K said...: "Yet another way Boehner is too much like Obama--he hates his personal enemies more than he hates his organization's enemies."

Bingo !; 1/7/15, 9:56 AM
SomeoneHasToSayIt said...: Here is what that kind of retribution means. It's really an attack on all of us, thus:

You will not be able to faithfully represent the district that sent you here.

You will instead do what the collective 'we', want.; 1/7/15, 9:56 AM
tim maguire said...: Gahrie, I think that is the point John is making with that statement--Democrats will never reform their own party, but the Republicans are in the midst of a major reformation right now.

So we can wail and gnash our teeth over Boehner, but we at least have the hope of unseating him--unlike Democrats, Republicans don't have to live with their own crappy incumbents.; 1/7/15, 10:01 AM
NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...: Democrats pose about reform, but nothing happens. Or "reform" turns out to be payoffs to donors and voting blocs. Obamacare is the prime example.

There are no new ideas, and no new people, in the Congressional leadership of the Democratic party. Until that changes we need to stop voting for them. They are failures.; 1/7/15, 10:06 AM
Thorley Winston said...: So if I understand the article correctly there was a half-assed attempt to remove Boehner as Speaker after his party had just increased it majority during the mid-term elections and the ring-leaders were not only ineffective but they were part of the existing power structure and didn’t give Boehner the courtesy of saying that they wanted to replace him (which might have given him a chance to offer some concessions to address concerns by members of the caucus) and now they’re acting surprised that they’re no longer entrusted with certain committee assignments.; 1/7/15, 10:06 AM
LYNNDH said...: So you "true conservatives" that did not vote for Romney are upset that "the base" is not being pandered too. You just as much elected BO and the Dems.; 1/7/15, 10:09 AM
jr565 said...: "Yet another way Boehner is too much like Obama--he hates his personal enemies more than he hates his organization's enemies.

The next stage of the reformation of the Republican Party is to target Boehner supporters like we targeted Obamacare supporters.."
Why do those targeting Boehner think thet he won't reward them with demotions when they lose? the same dynamic would be in play if Boehner was a Tea Party republican. And you basically verify this by saying the next acttion of Tea Partiers is to go after Boehner supporters.; 1/7/15, 10:25 AM
madAsHell said...: Drudge has a nice picture of Boehner kissing Pelosi without beer goggles.; 1/7/15, 10:27 AM
jr565 said...: "Yet another way Boehner is too much like Obama--he hates his personal enemies more than he hates his organization's enemies.

The next stage of the reformation of the Republican Party is to target Boehner supporters like we targeted Obamacare supporters. Knock off as many as possible in 2016."
Aren't you essentially describing tea party republicans with your statement? Or are you being ironic? If being serious are you not saying that this is another way that tea Partiers are too much like Obama?; 1/7/15, 10:29 AM
Thorley Winston said...: Why do those targeting Boehner think thet he won't reward them with demotions when they lose? the same dynamic would be in play if Boehner was a Tea Party republican. And you basically verify this by saying the next acttion of Tea Partiers is to go after Boehner supporters.

This. The complaints by the members of the House Caucus who lost committee assignments after trying to remove to remove the Speaker sounds an awful lot like the “Black Lives (Sometimes) Matter” protesters who are upset that they get arrested and fined when they trespass or block traffic as part of their protest.

More to the point the two members who lost their spot on the Rules Committee apparently were already part of the existing leadership. That particularly committee determines the agenda of the House and it makes sense that its members would generally be in the leadership of each of the two party caucuses. By trying to remove the leader of their party, Webster and Nugent should not expect to continue to remain as part of the party leadership nor to continue serving on the Rules Committee.; 1/7/15, 10:36 AM
Curious George said...: 2/3 of the GOP voters want him gone. That's a big deal. Time to put pressure on your Reps.; 1/7/15, 10:42 AM
Bobber Fleck said...: tim Maguire said: Those people who opposed Boehner were charged by their constituents with taking a stronger stand against the Obama Administration's program than Boehner is willing to take. When he punishes these reps, he is ignoring the will of the people as expressed in the voting booth.

Amen to that...; 1/7/15, 10:58 AM
Todd said...: Who knew, Boehner does have a spine! He just chooses to use it to stand up to Republicans. If only he would be so forceful and decisive against the Democrats...

P.S. I too, am not a robot...; 1/7/15, 11:09 AM
cubanbob said...: jr565 said...
"Yet another way Boehner is too much like Obama--he hates his personal enemies more than he hates his organization's enemies.

The next stage of the reformation of the Republican Party is to target Boehner supporters like we targeted Obamacare supporters. Knock off as many as possible in 2016."
Aren't you essentially describing tea party republicans with your statement? Or are you being ironic? If being serious are you not saying that this is another way that tea Partiers are too much like Obama?

1/7/15, 10:29 AM

No. They are just tired of voting Dem-Lite as the lesser of the two evils.; 1/7/15, 11:17 AM
Michael K said...: "By trying to remove the leader of their party, Webster and Nugent should not expect to continue to remain as part of the party leadership nor to continue serving on the Rules Committee."

Webster was actually not an active participant in the revolt. His decision to accept the role that others asked him to play was so late that it may have contributed to its failure.

I am not surprised, and not that upset, that the opponents are being punished. That's the way politics works. But, Boehner had better not fail this Congress because the table has been set and he may be the next course if this Congress fails to accomplish anything, which I fear.

"Never strike a Prince unless you kill him," is true but Princes still must stay ahead of the mob.; 1/7/15, 11:19 AM
Michael K said...: Tom Foley found out that Speakers are not immune from voters.; 1/7/15, 11:21 AM
traditionalguy said...: WTF, the conservatives are pulling an Alynski method on Boener personalizing the systemic failure that Reid's Majority rule in the Senate was doing to protect Obama.

Sit down and watch a real leader lead.; 1/7/15, 11:28 AM
wendybar said...: LYNNDH said...
So you "true conservatives" that did not vote for Romney are upset that "the base" is not being pandered too. You just as much elected BO and the Dems.

Lynndh- I am a Constitutionalist. I am a true conservative. I held my nose, but I voted for Romney. Just as I held my nose many times before. After voting for said Republican losers, they attack the people who didn't agree with them, but voted for them anyways?? (Aren't Republicans supposed to be small government minded?? Tell me who is in this crowd????? ) Kick me once...I give you another chance...kick me twice?? Hello President Clinton! ( I WILL not vote for somebody who kicks good people for power....I will write in a name, but never vote for progressives...no matter what party they are in.); 1/7/15, 11:50 AM
Skyler said...: "If you strike at a king, you must kill him." Ralph Waldo Emerson; 1/7/15, 11:52 AM
TMink said...: He will keep conservatives from "walking all over him" but he holds the President's coat while the President walks all over the American people. That is why he is a problem for America.

Trey; 1/7/15, 11:53 AM
Thorley Winston said...: I am not surprised, and not that upset, that the opponents are being punished. That's the way politics works. But, Boehner had better not fail this Congress because the table has been set and he may be the next course if this Congress fails to accomplish anything, which I fear.

Agreed. A large part of the reason Boehner was reelected is because for all of the complaining about how he’s “not tough enough,” no one else has seriously been willing to put their hat in the ring to try to do a job that’s a lot more difficult than it appears. The fact is that Republicans don’t have the votes to overcome a presidential veto and much of the more pressing problems (entitlements, ACA, regulatory issues, the tax code, etc.) are on autopilot and aren’t going to get fixed during the next two years without the President’s support or that of enough Democrats to override his veto. Shutting down the federal government isn’t a viable strategy and Boehner was wise IMO to immediately take it off the table. What remains to be seen is whether the next session he achieves any sort of incremental progress while maximizing Republican’s chances to retain the Senate and hopefully retake the White House in 2016.; 1/7/15, 11:54 AM
David said...: He has a larger majority now. He can therefore afford to alienate some of his flock by discipline.; 1/7/15, 11:55 AM
David said...: jr565 said...
if you go after the king, you best not miss.

That assumes those who did not vote for him were going after the king. There is a theory--which I happen to agree with--that these votes were not intended to defeat the Speaker. Indeed they knew they did not have a chance. The votes were posturing (or positioning, if you want to give it a nicer name) by people who aspire to a role as recognized leaders of an insurgency. That insurgency is playing a longer game than this particular vote.; 1/7/15, 11:59 AM
Brando said...: These were posture votes--signals to their more right wing, anti-establishment supporters that they are in Washington to send a message. Boehner was never in trouble, and probably benefits by letting these guys let out steam harmlessly.

After all, what would they gain by actually taking him down? Anyone replacing him would have the thankless job of (a) compromising with the Democrats and (b) trying to balance the interests of the moderate and right wings of his caucus. And the bigger your majority is (now largest in 70 years) the more diverse the politics of your caucus (Pelosi had similar trouble in '09-'10).

Boehner's been doing as good a job at that as anyone in his position could.; 1/7/15, 12:04 PM
Brando said...: "Tom Foley found out that Speakers are not immune from voters."

The only voters a Speaker has to care about are those in his district and those in his caucus. Boehner doesn't have to care what non-Ohioan who aren't in Congress think.

Of course, that's only true to a point--if he were an easy lightning rod, voters could put enough pressure on their own Congressmen to take him down. But I don't see that happening--who really wants his job? It's much easier to posture and preen than to actually have to gather votes.; 1/7/15, 12:09 PM
PB said...: Boehner is too much like Obama. He likes his position and perks too much and he doesn't tolerate much in the way of different views.; 1/7/15, 12:14 PM
Dr.D said...: Boehner is a very small minded, petty man, unfit to be a carwash clean up man. He is selfish, self-centered, and utterly vile. What a disgrace to the office of Speaker of the House!!; 1/7/15, 12:20 PM
jr565 said...: PB wrote:
Boehner is too much like Obama. He likes his position and perks too much and he doesn't tolerate much in the way of different views.

Neither does the tea party republicans trying to get him out of leadership positions.; 1/7/15, 12:27 PM
Revenant said...: Not surprising. Now that the Republicans control both houses, the GOP establishment will purge the reformers. They don't need them anymore. Democrats did much the same thing.

I expect 2016 to be a race between two essentially indistinguishable parties.; 1/7/15, 12:31 PM
jr565 said...: There is nothing unique to democrats or establishment republicans in Boehners response. That's the way business is done. If you try to take out the boss, and lose the boss in turn doesn't reward you for your insubordinance. And the Tea Partiers, were they in control, would do the exact same thing. In fact, their whole reason for being is to purge establishment republicans from ranks.
Those establishment republicans are not simply going to let themselves be shived in the back simply because they are establishment republicans.
I'm noting a bit of crybabyism from some Tea Party types who keep going after mainstream republicans but then want them to roll over and die as the only response. If they themselves are targeted, the person doing the targeting is unreasonable or hateful. Or too much like Obama.
You bring the fight you might just get punched in the nose.; 1/7/15, 12:39 PM
damikesc said...: Not surprising. Now that the Republicans control both houses, the GOP establishment will purge the reformers. They don't need them anymore. Democrats did much the same thing.

I expect 2016 to be a race between two essentially indistinguishable parties.

Most likely. And that is why I am annoyed as hell by the Republicans.

Boehner keeps his real anger and rage at internal opponents, not the Dems who really are against him.

The reformers just want him to STOP SUCKING UP TO DEMOCRATS. It isn't that hard to do and God knows Pelosi had no problems fucking Republicans over wholesale when she was Speaker.

Neither does the tea party republicans trying to get him out of leadership positions.

It's not an issue of differing views.

It is an issue of TRUST.

They don't TRUST the establishment...and why should they?

They've already signaled they will cave on immigration. They caved on the budget. What the hell is the point of voting Republican if the results are the same as if Democrats were there?

The Establishment has lost trust like there's no tomorrow.; 1/7/15, 12:51 PM
jr565 said...: damikesc wrote:
It's not an issue of differing views.

It is an issue of TRUST.

They don't TRUST the establishment...and why should they?

They've already signaled they will cave on immigration. They caved on the budget. What the hell is the point of voting Republican if the results are the same as if Democrats were there?

The Establishment has lost trust like there's no tomorrow.

I'm not disagreeing that the republicans need to stop acting like Obama's bitch. BUT I'm simply saying, that this may be your opinion. But once tea party republicans try to take over leadership, leadership is going to fight back.
They're not going to help out the very people that have (figurative) knives out for their blood); 1/7/15, 1:03 PM
khesanh0802 said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/7/15, 2:07 PM
khesanh0802 said...: First we complain that the Republicans lack a plan and are undisciplined. Now we complain because they have a plan and clearly prepared to discipline those who wander too far off the reservation. About GD time! You can get nothing done in Congress if you can't count on getting votes. What the hell did these guys expect …. they knew they were pissing up a rope. Giving or taking prime committee positions has always been leaderships' prime disciplinary measure.; 1/7/15, 2:08 PM
khesanh0802 said...: @ Revenant Calling these guys "reformers" is way too kind and gives them much too much credit. You can't achieve reform without the votes. They have never had the votes and are, I believe, as much on an ego trip as Ted Cruz.; 1/7/15, 2:12 PM
damikesc said...: I'm not disagreeing that the republicans need to stop acting like Obama's bitch. BUT I'm simply saying, that this may be your opinion. But once tea party republicans try to take over leadership, leadership is going to fight back.

And I get your argument. But they need US far more than we need them.

Again, if the results will be effectively identical if a Republican or Democrat is in control --- why should conservatives hold our nose and vote Republican?

They don't have our backs.; 1/7/15, 2:48 PM
traditionalguy said...: What was a majority vote in the House supposed to do without a Senate vote to match it? Shut down the Government and go home.

Thank God Boehner was never a Kamakase Conservative wanting to go out in an explosive show vote that meant nothing.

The new battle space starts tomorrow.; 1/7/15, 3:04 PM
damikesc said...: Thank God Boehner was never a Kamakase Conservative wanting to go out in an explosive show vote that meant nothing.

The new battle space starts tomorrow.

...except the budget is already passed and they said they won't do much about immigration.

Yeah, battle space. Truly riveting.; 1/7/15, 3:10 PM
Brando said...: The GOP is going to have to end this constant backstabbing and "you started it" crap and be realistic about what it wants to do, and what it is capable of. You've got a president who has decided he hates the opposition party and will not lift a finger to play ball with them, and troll them at every turn. And his party still has some ability to block things in the Senate. Plus we have a big election in 2 years which could swing the Senate and determine who gets the White House for the next 8.

Can the GOP enact anything that the president will oppose? Very unlikely--unless it was popular enough to get Democrats to override the veto. Can something be negotiated with Obama, to get at least something for the GOP? Unlikely at this point, though free trade laws may be an exception.

But government shutdowns and similar theatrics--not to mention constant internal bickering--are just going to set the stage for a big defeat in '16. Maybe everyone really wants that--the "establishment" would pin it on the Right, and vice versa--but in the end neither group can be a majority in this country. Face it--you have to work together or President Hillary! will have a working majority in Congress to pass some leftist laws to appeal to the Warren wing of her own party.; 1/7/15, 3:18 PM
Brando said...: I'm also curious--what has Boehner done that makes him Obama's toady? The deals he cut with him may not have been what the Tea Party wanted, but they beat the alternative of doing nothing--the tax cuts were already set to expire (thank the GOP of 2001 for that) so any deal to make some of them permanent amounted to cutting taxes from what they would have reverted to. The shutdown was hurting the GOP in the polls--do you think if the GOP had held fast into 2014 it would have somehow made them more popular, and they would have had the gains they got last year? And the debt limit extensions were a must.

Boehner otherwise led a pretty solid opposition to the ACA, Card Check, the stimulus--he wasn't squishy on those issues.

Or is the Boehner-hatred due to the optics of him being civil with Obama? Should he instead have slapped him like a bitch?; 1/7/15, 3:24 PM
I Callahan said...: First we complain that the Republicans lack a plan and are undisciplined. Now we complain because they have a plan and clearly prepared to discipline those who wander too far off the reservation. About GD time!

What plan is that, other than screwing over people in their own party? Did Boehner and his allies come up with a way to handle the the economy or this president? Because I don't see any plan for that at all. All I see is some political backstabbing of people in his OWN PARTY.

You can get nothing done in Congress if you can't count on getting votes.

I'm sure a number of the guys Boehner screwed voted for things he wanted in the prior Congress. Now, maybe not so much, after he cornholed them. Explain to me how that gets MORE votes for Boehner?

What the hell did these guys expect …. they knew they were pissing up a rope.

No, they thought they were doing what the people who elected them were telling them to do. The idea that GOP voters in those districts WANTED Boehner to de-fang them is laughable.

I'm not sure what you're looking at, but sometimes perception is NOT reality.; 1/7/15, 3:29 PM
I Callahan said...: I'm also curious--what has Boehner done that makes him Obama's toady? The deals he cut with him may not have been what the Tea Party wanted, but they beat the alternative of doing nothing--the tax cuts were already set to expire (thank the GOP of 2001 for that) so any deal to make some of them permanent amounted to cutting taxes from what they would have reverted to.

I have to ask this question to answer yours: what exactly has Boehner done to further the cause of his own party in any way? According to all polls, Boehner is unpopular - to the tune of 68% wanted him to be beaten.

The shutdown was hurting the GOP in the polls--do you think if the GOP had held fast into 2014 it would have somehow made them more popular, and they would have had the gains they got last year?

After the shutdown under Clinton and Gingrich, the GOP kept Congress. The only reason it MAY have been different this time is the sycophant media constantly harping about it. Unlike you, I'm not willing to lay down and take it from them.

And the debt limit extensions were a must.

No, they weren't. This president AND congress ran on not raising debt or spending. If that were such an unpopular idea, they would have ran on a different platform.

Boehner otherwise led a pretty solid opposition to the ACA, Card Check, the stimulus--he wasn't squishy on those issues.

Great accomplishments there. The ACA is still the law of the land, and I guarantee if we get a GOP president in 2016, it will STILL be the law of the land with a few minor tweaks at best.

Or is the Boehner-hatred due to the optics of him being civil with Obama? Should he instead have slapped him like a bitch?

Did you ever see Nancy Pelosi bend backward to be civil with Bush? Why the double standard? The Dems treat the GOP like an enemy (as you said yourself), but the GOP is expected to fellate the current president?

No, I want them to actually TRY to do something to beat the president once in a while. They had a number of opportunities (reduce the White House budget, for example), yet they're a chicken-shit of the media as you apparently are.

I didn't vote GOP to be Dem Lite. Maybe you did.; 1/7/15, 3:38 PM
damikesc said...: There is a lot of things Boehner COULD do.

GUT the IRS budget. The tiny cut they received is not enough. If an agency is violating law and ignoring Congress, then their funding needs to be removed completely until they decide to do their job legally again.

Dismantle ATF brick by brick.

Don't be afraid to drastically cut spending for DHS. Little evidence exists that they do their job terribly well.

Slice travel budgets for all government agencies.

Cut the WH budget significantly.

He won't even TRY any of it.; 1/7/15, 3:51 PM
khesanh0802 said...: @ i callahan You must be extremely prescient to know after the first day of the new session that the R's have no plan. Among other things they have said that they are going to develop the budget for the next fiscal year using the "regular order" i. e. there will be budgets for each major sector of the government - the first time that has happened in a number of years. Through those budgets they can accomplish any number of things which the president just may have to go along with. It's a painfully slow process but it works.

As far as disciplining those two jokers and, perhaps, losing their vote think how many others will be leery now of crossing Boehner and the House leadership. the French have an ironic saying for it: "pour encourager les autres"!; 1/7/15, 4:07 PM
Michael K said...: " Boehner doesn't have to care what non-Ohioan who aren't in Congress think."

But he has to think about what Ohio voters think. If the rebels in the House are foolish and have no impact, maybe so. What if they are voicing the sentiments of the 2/3 of GOP voters who are not happy with Boehner ?; 1/7/15, 4:25 PM
Michael K said...: "I'm noting a bit of crybabyism from some Tea Party types who keep going after mainstream republicans but then want them to roll over and die as the only response."

I think you might be imagining that. There is a great desire for schadenfreud by Tea Party types. I don't see it. The Tea Party is a threat to the "governing Class." Read Codevilla's essay.; 1/7/15, 4:28 PM
Anonymous said...: I like the way it's such a betrayal. Because, Speaker Boehner was once elected to be Speaker, therefore, it's his position. Anything counter to that is "Stabbing in the back" or "treason" or a "mutiny" etc.

Actually, the people being stabbed in the back are those who vote for Republicans and expect them to use the power we have given them. Instead, they call us crazy. They say that they can't possible stand up to the Democrats because they'll shut the government down. They have to spend trillions of dollars every year, or else!

And year after year, guys like me, are encouraged to remain in the Republican plantation.

We joke here about how Crack is on the Democrat Plantation.

But really, lot's of us conservative Republicans are on a Republican Plantation. They take our vote for granted. They are constantly compromising with the "reasonable" lefties and supposedly center left and center right folks, because us right wing nutjobs are reliable Republican votes.

Just watch. At the 2016 election comes around, we will hear constantly that Rick Santorum, Ted Cruz, Ran Paul, Sarah Palin, whoever you'd like that isn't the establishment person, can't get elected. They just can't. Because they can't. And the reason they can't get elected? Because supposedly all the reasonable voters would never vote for them.

Yet the unreasonable voters like me? Well, we're taken for granted. Of course we're going to vote for Jeb Bush! Right?

Makes zero sense.

The only way we can ever get our way is to become like the rest of the reasonable, center left and center right voters out there, and refuse to vote for those who are too extreme. Which means, anyone who doesn't agree with us.

Because if they can't compromise to vote for our guy, why should we compromise to vote for their guy?; 1/7/15, 4:31 PM
Kirk Parker said...: damikesc,

"Dismantle ATF brick by brick."

No.

Look, I hate the ATF with a holy hatred. Well, ok, at least the F part, from what I here the (unnamed in the shorter acronym) E folks (explosives) are comparatively quite reasonable. And I have neither opinion nor experience with the A or T folks.

But still: what we need is not for the ATF to go away, per se, but rather to have the authority they have over firearms to be removed from federal law entirely. Otherwise, as wiser minds have pointed out to me, those functions will just be passed over to the FBI who will execute them with more efficiency.; 1/7/15, 5:01 PM
cubanbob said...: Boehner blew it with the continuing resolution. He should have not gone with it and only have agreed to fund until February. Now he has no leverage. Schmuck. Honestly why the fear of a shutdown? other than the national parks what private sector taxpayer really gives a crap if most entitlement spending is suspended or if the Dept. of Education is suspended?; 1/7/15, 5:21 PM
damikesc said...: But still: what we need is not for the ATF to go away, per se, but rather to have the authority they have over firearms to be removed from federal law entirely. Otherwise, as wiser minds have pointed out to me, those functions will just be passed over to the FBI who will execute them with more efficiency.

My issue isn't with some federal firearms laws. I have no issue with some regulation. Background checks seem to be reasonable.

The ATF is really, really corrupt. Horribly so. They don't do anybody any good.; 1/7/15, 5:22 PM
jr565 said...: eric wrote:
"I like the way it's such a betrayal. Because, Speaker Boehner was once elected to be Speaker, therefore, it's his position. Anything counter to that is "Stabbing in the back" or "treason" or a "mutiny" etc.

Actually, the people being stabbed in the back are those who vote for Republicans and expect them to use the power we have given them. Instead, they call us crazy. They say that they can't possible stand up to the Democrats because they'll shut the government down. They have to spend trillions of dollars every year, or else!

And year after year, guys like me, are encouraged to remain in the Republican plantation."

You're arguing the tea party position. I'm saying Boehner is not going to care about that position, since he doesn't feel his position is wrong. He's going to look at people gunning for his job and act accordingly.
The Tea Partiers can't commit a mutiny and then expect to not be held accountable for the mutiny simply because they hold a position that they think is right.
The Tea Partiers had a chance to knock Boehner off. Having not done so, those who tried to take on top dog now have to lick their wounds and suffer the demotions.
It's simply politics.
But lets now judge Boehner and the Republics now that they control two branches of govt. that just started today. Are Tea Partiers now going to take their ball and go home because their half hearted coup failed?; 1/7/15, 5:38 PM
jr565 said...: I Callahan wrote:
What plan is that, other than screwing over people in their own party? Did Boehner and his allies come up with a way to handle the the economy or this president? Because I don't see any plan for that at all. All I see is some political backstabbing of people in his OWN PARTY.

What backstabbing? The attempt was on Boehner's job, not the Tea Partiers job. Tea Partiers have made it their business to be the outsiders against the establishment republicans. So, then those establishiment republicans may not want to in turn support tea party pols who they feel are attacking them.
And lets cut Boehner a little slack here. Until this election the Repubs only controlled the House. They therefore could not control anything. Because Harry Reid controlled the senate it was the place where all bills went to die. And Obama didn't even have to veto anything. The dems could then make the republicans be the party of no simply because Reid could kill all bills and Obama didn't have to veto.
Under that scenario be happy that Boehner got ANYTHING accomplished.

Now though we have two branches and suddenly Obama has to start using his veto pen. LEts see how Boehner operates under THOSE conditions. He might prove to be a much better leader.

But if not, the next time the question comes up, the Tea Partiers have a much better argument to make as to why he should go.; 1/7/15, 5:48 PM
jr565 said...: I Callahan wrote:
Great accomplishments there. The ACA is still the law of the land, and I guarantee if we get a GOP president in 2016, it will STILL be the law of the land with a few minor tweaks at best.

SInce you have the name Callahan this line might be relevant to you "A man's got to know his limitations." _ Harry Calahan in Magnum Force (go ahead, make my day)
In this case the tea party has got to know their limitations. DOn't blame the republicans for not overturning Obamacare. They simply could not do much controlling one house. YOu are damning Boehner for not accomplishing things it would be impossible for anyone to accomplish so long as Obama was in the white house and so long as Reid controlled the senate.; 1/7/15, 5:54 PM
Kirk Parker said...: damikesc,

"My issue isn't with some federal firearms laws. "

Mine sure as hell is!

Except substitute "most" for "some"; those that don't flagrantly violate the 2nd Amendment mostly go WAY beyond the authority granted to Congress to regulate "interstate commerce".; 1/7/15, 6:10 PM
jr565 said...: Krauthammer is exactly right:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlpUMP-QzFU

Boehner was not the problem It was because Reid blocked all bills in Senate so that Obama never had to veto. THat won't happen anymore.; 1/7/15, 6:18 PM
Anonymous said...: jr565 wrote;

Are Tea Partiers now going to take their ball and go home because their half hearted coup failed?

I don't know what this means.

How will the Tea Partiers take their ball and go home?

If you mean, continue to fight those left of us, then yes.

If you mean work to get our elected officials, with whom we disagree, unelected and replaced with someone more conservative? Then yes.

If you mean speak out against their hypocrisy and lies as they continue to pretend to be more conservative and yet cave time and time again, then yes.

Otherwise, I don't know what it means to take my ball and go home.; 1/7/15, 6:53 PM
Anonymous said...: Blogger jr565 said...
Krauthammer is exactly right:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlpUMP-QzFU

Boehner was not the problem It was because Reid blocked all bills in Senate so that Obama never had to veto. THat won't happen anymore.

I sincerely hope you and Krauthammer don't have to eat your words these next two years.

But I suspect there will always be a problem. Now that Reid is out of the way, the problem is going to be Obama. And when Obama is out of the way, the problem is going to be the next election (IE: We have too many Republicans trying to get elected in blue states, therefore, we can't make waves, but once they are re-elected......).; 1/7/15, 6:55 PM
jr565 said...: Eric I don't expect Obama to sign thet much. But now he has to veto things he doesn't sign. Dems can't then argue that repubs are the party of no.; 1/7/15, 9:02 PM
Skipper said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/7/15, 9:59 PM
Skipper said...: After years of spinelessness with Democrats, the Speaker now takes it out on fellow Republicans? Is he nuts?; 1/7/15, 10:01 PM
Achilles said...: What happened the last time Republicans were in control of the House, Senate, and Presidency?

Spending went up.

Deficits were untouched.

The federal debt grew every year.

The last important thing they did was to pass a whole new entitlement. We got a vote buying scam for old people. We got a cronytastic deal for the drug companies. What isn't to like?

People talk about the establishment republicans and the donor class as if there are rich republicans out there. You need to understand who these people really are. They are wealthy. They are not ideologues. They don't care about republicans or democrats except as a way to divide the electorate. They donate money to both sides. They want open borders for cheap labor and crony government because it is easier to give some money to a politician than compete against some start up.

The republican party is not what it pretends to be. There is no small government party in DC now.; 1/7/15, 10:31 PM
Anonymous said...: Blogger jr565 said...
Eric I don't expect Obama to sign thet much. But now he has to veto things he doesn't sign. Dems can't then argue that repubs are the party of no.

1/7/15, 9:02 PM

It's not being labeled the party of no that I'm worried about.

It's being the party of yes.; 1/8/15, 12:17 AM
Brando said...: I Callahan--a few points:

1) Debt limit raise--you're conflating a rise in the debt limit with a rise in spending obligations. If you want to cut spending, you cut it when the appropriationsn come out. Not raising the debt limit is simply refusing to pay the bills for what we've spent. It's like saying you're cutting household debt by refusing to pay your credit card bill. The only reason to vote against it is for a show vote, or if you really believe destroying the government's credit rating (costing us more in interest payments ultimately) will "send a message." Cowardly, in my opinion, compared to actually cutting the budget.

2) So Pelosi was rude, and became a fundraising boon for the GOP, and you think Boehner should do the same? What does it hurt that he isn't as rude to Obama as Pelosi was to Bush? I'm sick of that childish crap, and prefer the GOP to be better than the Dems. Let them be the children.

3) What more would your preferred Boehner replacement have been able to do about the ACA? He didn't have the votes to stop it. The key is to win elections, and he did that. Had he behaved the way you seem to prefer--shutting the government (which if you think helped the GOP in '96 more than it helped Clinton get re-elected I'd be interested in how you'd explain the polling turnaround that occurred at that time), leaving the debt limit to trash our credit, or insulting Obama--the GOP might not have taken the Senate and have lost the House.

4) How should Boehner cut the White House budget if he doesn't have the votes to override teh president's veto?

Face it--Boehner has worked well with teh tools at his disposal. To get anything done--or prevent something from happening--in this country you need not just the hard liners but the moderates as well. If you don't like that, try converting more moderates so your numbers change. But I'll give the realists credit for doing what they can with what they have.; 1/8/15, 6:07 AM
Brando said...: "It's being the party of yes."

I'm hard pressed to think what the GOP-controlled Congress is going to roll over for Obama on. I expect two years of gridlock--the only things that will get passed are nonpartisan bills, standard budgets that will displease both sides, and possibly free trade legislation which the GOP wants.

The big plus for the GOP is control of the Senate--had they not gotten that we would have had two more years of Obama nominees sailing through via the nuclear option (which I believed would have been expanded to cover all nominees) with long term consequences for the courts. McConnell and Boehner's main job now is to handle things in such a way that sets up the party for 2016. Until then, they're not getting anything accomplished on the GOP wish list without Obama's buy in, which in almost every case they can't count on.; 1/8/15, 7:12 AM
Brando said...: "The republican party is not what it pretends to be. There is no small government party in DC now."

There certainly isn't, but it's all relative. It's a choice for the citizens to be punched once, or kicked several times. But until you change the political culture, don't expect that to change.

The problem is these goodies are too popular--not just in terms of breadth of support but depth--the small groups that benefit care much more than larger groups that don't. It's why even when the GOP controlled Congress and the WH, they couldn't reform entitlements (look what happened to Bush when he even dared try to go there--it wasn't just the Dems that stopped him) or simplify the tax code so it just collects revenue and doesn't control behavior. It's why we can't get lawsuit reform, labor reform, or serious welfare reform.

That's not going to change until the people change. Sometimes it takes a crisis.; 1/8/15, 7:17 AM
Paul said...: Pity the Democrats still walk all over Boehner all the time.; 1/8/15, 9:34 AM
Anonymous said...: 2/3 of the GOP voters want him gone

Link please; 1/11/15, 9:21 AM