Mike Pence for House GOP Leader
Posted on 09/17/2009 6:20:41 PM PDT by counterpunch
Minority Leader John Boehner spent much of last week trying to persuade a stubborn Rep. Joe Wilson to apologize to the House — telling associates he needed to “get to” Wilson before the weekend to elicit an apology.
But as the days dragged on, Boehner had to back off: Wilson’s spine was stiffened by $1.5 million in campaign contributions, the Democrats’ anti-Wilson rhetoric had become increasingly extreme, and the South Carolina Republican was rapidly accumulating support from the conference’s dominant right wing.
“At some point, he realized he had no choice but to get behind Wilson because that’s where his conference was going — and he was just so angry that the Democrats had pushed this thing so far,” said a GOP aide with knowledge of the situation.
Like a surfer riding the heavy waves before a hurricane, Boehner, a conservative with a penchant for compromise, has spent the past few months trying to harness the anger of the GOP base without allowing his conference to veer too far to the right.
But never were the strains of that balancing act more apparent than during the Wilson vote, as the Ohio Republican tried to juggle his commitment to bipartisan civility with his responsibility to a besieged member of his conference.
“It’s very hard these days to be a leader like John Boehner who tries to find the middle ground,” said former Connecticut Republican Rep. Chris Shays, one of the last Northeastern moderates, who was beaten by Democrat Jim Himes last year.
“He’s a conservative, but he’s less conservative than his base,” Shays added. “And he’s got to lead a party that has been so battered and beaten that it’s incredibly angry — angry at what’s going on in the country, angry at the way it’s being treated by the majority.”
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Rush also very vehemently opposed Bush when he went wobbly, and cozying up to the swimmer on education. Whole lot of issues, from the start of his presidency. Were you not listening?
OK, thanks for the clarification. But Rush also carried a lot of water for Bush until the 2006 elections. After Republicans lost the majority in Congress in 2006 Rush said that he would not have to carry so much water any more for the Bush administration. In a sense, I think he might have been relieved.
Boehner and the NRSC’s support of Crist: two reasons I cannot call myself a “Republican”.
Either the Republicans didn’t get the message from the Tea Parties and Town Halls, or we didn’t deliver the message explicitly enough.
We’re going to give our Republican Reps and Senators the message directly: dump Boehner, and stay the hell out of GOP primaries!
Support Conservatives, promote Conservatives. Toss the RINOs aside!
And that my FRiends is precisely what the problem is. There is no TRYING to find middle ground with the Socialist/Democrats of today.
This ain't your fathers Democrat Party we are dealing with today.
The Democrats of today are under the rule of Socialist forces that weren't in days of yore. The House has approximately 70 members declared as Progressive Caucus. That's code speakey for Commie's. Those that aren't members of the Progressive Caucus are mostly sycophants with a few of the Blue Dogs all that are left of what could have been once considered a reasonable Political Party.
LucyT where's that link my friend? I misplaced it. Sorry 'bout that heh heh.
When was the last time Democrats compromised or tried to move away from their base in a phony pursuit of moderation? I am so sick of this garbage I can just projectile vomit. Another obligatory BS piece whining that Republicans are moving “too far to the right,” along with the stupid comment from RINO Shays. It’s all so pathetic and contrived it’s not even funny anymore. One thing liberals fear is Republicans who stand on their principles. Imagine if Wilson did not apologize at all he would have raked in $10 million by now. When and if Politico interviews Reid or Murtha on why they don’t denounce the moonbats that are running their party then wake me up.
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I always get a sincere hearing when I call Boehner's office to give them the long version.
They are never condescending, never patronizing, never interruptive or argumentative.
Politico can kiss my ass.
And of course my apology is there for them as well.
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As far as I am concerned Boehner is a creep. Him and the rest of the Bush era Republican Party leadership did their best to force amnesty for millions of illegal aliens on the American People.
Obama’s plan is to transform America. If Bush, Boehner and the rest had succeeded the result would have transformed the nation too. Twenty-one million Mexicans with dual citizenship would have been voting the Democratic Party ticket.
That makes the Republicans position on amnest even worse. They also refused to close the borders. We have no idea who entered America illegally and that is criminal after 9/11.
Now Boehner wants Wilson to apologize? Wilson was right. Obama is a monumental liar. He lies every day and is apparently oblivious to the fact that his lies often contradict each other.
I am disgusted by the flowery nonsense that these politicians adopt when perpetrating their betrayals of the American people. “My honorable friend” used to describe a politician on the other side of the aisle who is definitey not a friend is particullarly disgusting.
In fact there is absolutely nothing honorable about most of these parasites. I applaud Wilson. The truth is something in short supply in Washington. He spoke the truth and apologized for stating it in that format. Now Boehner wants him to grovel. Like I said. Boehner is a creep.
As I see it, Boehner is the House version of the dearly departed/retired Trent Lott.
Mike Pence is a great guy but I think the GOP in the House would send a much clearer message to the treasonous ‘Rats if they made JOE WILSON their leader!
Any seconds?
I keep telling the RNC that I won’t give them a dime until I see some true conservatives stands.
Good points.
Perhaps Michelle Bachmann should replace Boehner, not Pence.
Perhaps Michelle Bachmann should replace Boehner, not Pence.
Wilson. $1.5 million war chest. I wonder how many Republicans now wish they had yelled “you lie!”
Boehner is a limp D***. He needs to step aside..It’s a new ballgame and we need a new pitcher.
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Agreed. If the GOP messes up this time, we’re truly screwed.
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