Free Republic

But Boehner's retirement announcement — like McCarthy, he sprung it on a surprised world — didn't resolve any of the conflicts inside the GOP conference. Many of that core 30-40 member group of the most assertive conservatives saw McCarthy as more of the same. And they realized, again, that if they voted as a bloc against leadership, McCarthy couldn't become speaker. And why should he asked the conservative rebels, who like everyone else watched as public approval of GOP leaders went down and down. "When 72 percent of Republican voters disapprove of the congressional leadership it's hard to simply promote...

Having Talked to several senior aides on Capitol Hill (along with Chris Stirewalt and his sources on the Hill tied to the leadership) here is the picture that is beginning to form. Speaker John Boehner has agreed to stay on as Speaker--not just until the Caucus nominates someone --but, until that person can confirm 218 votes on the House floor (needed to take the Speaker’s gavel). Short of that – Boehner will stay on for the rest of this Congress and steer legislation that is pending.

Rep. Louie Gohmert blasted John Boehner for his decision to postpone the Republicans’ vote for the next House speaker, saying he acted “like any good dictator would” because he wants to choose his own successor. It actually pointed to the reason we need a new speaker, and that is because it’s like he feels he has to pick a successor, like any good dictator would,” the Texas Republican said in comments to TheBlaze Thursday night after House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy abruptly took himself out of the running as GOP members gathered for the secret-ballot vote. “But this is not...