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“Fiscal cliff” leaves Boehner a wounded speaker
Associated Press ^ | Dec 22, 2012 9:09 AM EST | Alan Fram

Posted on 12/23/2012 2:15:06 AM PST by Olog-hai

John Boehner is a bloodied House speaker following the startling setback that his own fractious Republican troops dealt him in their “fiscal cliff” struggle against President Barack Obama.

There’s plenty of internal grumbling about the Ohio Republican, especially among conservatives, and lots of buzzing about whether his leadership post is in jeopardy. But it’s uncertain whether any other House Republican has the broad appeal to seize the job from Boehner or whether his embarrassing inability to pass his own bill preventing tax increases on everyone but millionaires is enough to topple him.

“No one will be challenging John Boehner as speaker,” predicted John Feehery, a consultant and former aide to House GOP leaders. “No one else can right now do the job of bringing everyone together” and unifying House Republicans. …

(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia
KEYWORDS: boehner; boner; fiscalabyss; fiscalcliff
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So saith Associated Pravda.
1 posted on 12/23/2012 2:15:15 AM PST by Olog-hai
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To: Olog-hai
Ole Weepy in trouble?
In my humble opinion (IMHO) only because he isn't calling out the dumb one on his outright LIES. . . .
2 posted on 12/23/2012 2:56:51 AM PST by DeaconRed (Want to stop a bad guy with a gun? Get a good guy with a GUN. . . . NRA . . . .)
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To: Olog-hai; All
"I recognize why these questions are getting asked," conservative freshman Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., said about whether Boehner was in trouble. "I see nothing giving any evidence to that end. It was not a vote of no confidence on John Boehner. It was a legislative defeat, not a personal defeat."
3 posted on 12/23/2012 3:05:10 AM PST by Las Vegas Dave
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To: Olog-hai
It's gonna be really funny if people being so anxious to dump Boehner ends up putting Pelosi back in the job of Speaker.

Boehner isn't a great Speaker, but he knew he was playing chicken with the Obama regime and he put something for tax increase in his bill mostly because he knew it wasn't going anywhere anyway. He put a bone for the RINO crowd who think taxes would be just fine in a bill he knew wouldn’t even make it to a vote. He had to make “a sincere effort” to get it to a vote with the tax increase in it or the RINO crowd would start voting ‘present’ on things just to destroy Republican hold on the House.

Boehner knew that King Barry wasn't going to accept anything anyway. Barry looks at the history of the Republican majority in the House and thinks he can get whatever he wants just by waiting on the media to make enough RINOs uncomfortable enough to start another McCain/Liebermann style group that holds the swing votes. What was that, “The Gang of Idiots” or something? Anyway, that’s what he wants, a little group of RINOs to bargain with in public while ignoring the Speaker of the House and Boehner isn’t the sort of guy who knows how to avoid having that happen.

A couple folks I know who are very familiar with how House internal politics and power works think swapping chairmen around was Boehner showing everyone he could and would penalize and reward people with chairmanships and perks. These folks think there's a good chance most of those displaced will be right back in charge of the same committee or another one by this time next year and stronger for having had someone else removed to put them back in place. I don't really understand how moving people around needed to happen in order to get some of the rebellious RINO crowd in line, but that's what I gather was the goal. The way cliques and factions in the House work, so I'm told, often the best way to keep someone a loose canon and his pals in line is to give them something they don't want to loose for not going along with the.

One thing for sure, listening to people who have been in the House or worked for a Representative, the balancing act a Speaker has to do with the crowd in the House is tougher than a lot of people realize. If history is any guide, every one of the people standing up and being conservative for the camera has their own price for not voting ‘present’ in order to undermine the Republican majority just like the loudmouth RINOs do.

While I'm not sure Boehner is as bad as some people think he is, I am sure he's not the right guy for the job of outmaneuvering King Barry. I can't think of who in the House right now would be, either. West could have with ease, but he's gone. Ryan could make Barry look like and idiot from time to time, but I don't think Ryan could keep the Republicans all together. Were Ryan to get the job, though, FR would soon be full of the good, the bad, and the ugly about him so we'd still have plenty to read and consider here on FR. Folks busy pointing out what would otherwise go unnoticed is part of why FR is so great.

4 posted on 12/23/2012 3:34:06 AM PST by Rashputin (Jesus Christ doesn't evacuate His troops, He leads them to victory.)
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To: Olog-hai

Boehner picked the wrong issue,
should have gone with debt limit.
Should have clearly positioned GOP as NOT raising the limit as
US has issued enough IOUs. Raising the limit has:
Devastated the US economy and is hurting old and young as
fixed income and minimum wage earners can’t keep up with the
cost of living due to devaluing of the dollar from increasing the limit.


5 posted on 12/23/2012 3:37:02 AM PST by jonose
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To: Olog-hai
We need a speaker up there who does not like Obama; Obama’s policies. Who stays up late at nights drawing up plans to outsmart Obama’s transformation to America but no, he golfs with this guy and has dinner, laughs and comes across as good friends. What conservative or republican could respect Obama after what he has done. Look at the Fort Hood coverup. Fast and Furious. Ambassador Stevens and the others being murdered. Abuse of power. The speaker looks to be very out of his league. Praying the new speaker (if that happens), will play hardball. Wouldn’t you love to see one mean bad ass person to stand up to this corrupt administration.
6 posted on 12/23/2012 3:52:49 AM PST by Christie at the beach (I like Newt. Our nation's foundation is under attack.)
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To: Olog-hai

Bull Ship


7 posted on 12/23/2012 3:55:13 AM PST by STD (“Cogito, ergo armatum sum)
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To: Olog-hai

I feel sorry for this man, I really do. He started these negotiations from a position of almost unbelievable political weakness: the Republicans have no mandate, they lost the election, they don't have the Senate, they lost seats in the Senate during the fall election, they don't have the White House, and they have 97% of the media trying to murder them.

I also think the Boehner is battling addiction right now, or at least battling personal demons. The rumors of his drinking escapades in Washington DC are too numerous to discount as false rumors. On Friday, he recited the "Serenity Prayer" at his morning meeting in the House as he realized his "Plan B" had failed.

Still, I simply do not understand what the hell he was doing by pivoting on a dime last Monday night and going full steam ahead with his "Plan B." It was political poison. He was making progress with Obama....as much progress as the Republican weakened position could make. They were very, very close to a deal. A bad deal, but a deal still the same.

Boehner knew his "Plan B" would not EVEN BE VOTED on in the Senate, and Obama would veto EVEN IF IT GOT TO HIS DESK. Moreover, Republicans in the House voted no on Plan B in part because of its futility! Boehner should have known this. I knew it, and I am not a politician, much less Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Let's face facts: Entitlements are breaking the back of this nation. The takers have taken over. The military defense of our nation is now caught begging for scraps from the table of the obese Social Security Disability slob who sucked the teat of Unemployment benefits dry and is now on teat #2.

The Republicans should have finalized a deal that at least gave us marginal entitlement reform, and taken us away from the cliff. Don't listen to the media that say the cliff isn't all that bad. It is worse than they know or are willing to admit. Millions will soon be out of work, and the economic poison of taxes, massive defense cuts, and consumer fear may spread through the economy like a virus.

Boehner wasted a vital week before Christmas pursing a dead strategy.

He should be ousted. At least then, he can focus on his personal problems, and get well.

8 posted on 12/23/2012 5:39:12 AM PST by SkyPilot
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To: Olog-hai

Boehner needs to go. It is time for someone else to take up the battle against Obama. A military maxim is “Never reinforce failure.” Boehner has not been as effective as he could be.


9 posted on 12/23/2012 5:40:25 AM PST by GenXteacher (You have chosen dishonor to avoid war; you shall have war also.)
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To: Olog-hai

He’s a weak leader. Let’s admit it.

What in the heck made him think it was a good idea to kick off the session after Romney lost the election with a kick in the teeth to the base that gave him the majority in the house? A real leader would not lead by dividing and weakening his own side. He’s nuts.


10 posted on 12/23/2012 5:43:33 AM PST by SaraJohnson
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To: Olog-hai

[“No one will be challenging John Boehner as speaker,” predicted John Feehery, a consultant and former aide to House GOP leaders. “No one else can right now do the job of bringing everyone together” and unifying House Republicans.]

If this is true, then conservatism is politically dead as all that is left are liberal marxist democrats and thier rino liberal allies. I am so sick of rinos and belive that they should all be buried in the cemetary of democrats next to Benedict Arnold.


11 posted on 12/23/2012 5:46:14 AM PST by kindred (Jesus Christ is the Lord God Messiah t of Israel, a present help in time of trouble.)
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To: Olog-hai

[“No one will be challenging John Boehner as speaker,” predicted John Feehery, a consultant and former aide to House GOP leaders. “No one else can right now do the job of bringing everyone together” and unifying House Republicans.]

If this is true, then conservatism is politically dead as all that is left are liberal marxist democrats and thier rino liberal allies. I am so sick of rinos and belive that they should all be buried in the cemetary of democrats next to Benedict Arnold and John Roberts the liberal.


12 posted on 12/23/2012 5:47:08 AM PST by kindred (Jesus Christ is the Lord God Messiah t of Israel, a present help in time of trouble.)
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To: Olog-hai

No.
He’s a Jerk!
A worthless RINO who never met a Democrat’s ass he wouldn’t kiss, or ANY opponant to whom he would not surrender.
That he is in a position of power indicates just how gutless the RINO party STILL is.


13 posted on 12/23/2012 5:48:29 AM PST by Flintlock (PARANOIA--means having all the facts.)
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To: SaraJohnson
He’s a weak leader. Let’s admit it.

The day that Boehner was given the Speaker's gavel by Pelosi, and he blubbered and carried on like a wimp, I knew we were done.

I didn't know much about him at that point, but I sat down at my desk in my office, let out a big sigh, and I knew that all the hopes I had that a tough politician would stand up to Bath House Barry and the media machine were dashed.

When Nasty Pelosi looked dignified next to "our man" - it was lights out.

In politics, sometimes things get dirty. Don't let anyone ever tell you that blackmail or threats of blackmail don't work. They do.

Barry has A LOT of dirt on him. Everyone in DC knows it.

Boehner never even threatened Barry with exposure. Almost immediately, Bath House Barry knew he could roll this guy like a ball, and he did.

14 posted on 12/23/2012 5:54:05 AM PST by SkyPilot
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To: Olog-hai

Apparently , the cryer told the reps that after they vote he will call Obama and see if that was okay !
Yes , boner was acting as Obama’s negotiator !
The reps realized it was them
Versus
Obama and boner !
Boner was the k street lobbyist rep determined to keep the cash flowing to the Beltway bandits .
Mostly the huge military contractors that put him
In power !
This fraud needs to go !


15 posted on 12/23/2012 6:15:21 AM PST by ncalburt (Axelrod Psych OPS has gone to 24/7 non stop - "The election is over " status until Nov)
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To: kindred

That political consultant is a K st lobbyist crowd that put Boner there !
His BS is pure spin to scare off any challenges .
The media want to keep this useful idiot in
That position and have ordered by this Marxist WH to lay off him !
Recall how the Hammer and Newt were trashed every day in the Dem
Party run media !


16 posted on 12/23/2012 6:20:19 AM PST by ncalburt (Axelrod Psych OPS has gone to 24/7 non stop - "The election is over " status until Nov)
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To: Rashputin
It's gonna be really funny if people being so anxious to dump Boehner ends up putting Pelosi back in the job of Speaker
In the end, how much difference is there in terms of results. If Pelosi could unseat Boehner what does that say about the strength of the now defunct Republican Party that "controls" the House? It would only give us a reason to bury the carcass and start anew.
17 posted on 12/23/2012 6:25:42 AM PST by ThePatriotsFlag (...and to the Republic for which it STOOD...)
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To: SkyPilot

I was worried, too. I wonder if the Republican majority does not scare Bohner because he has no core to stand on with a majority looking at him. Some of them want their elected positions and perks; but don’t want to struggle and have it difficult. Go along to get along...


18 posted on 12/23/2012 6:36:15 AM PST by SaraJohnson
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To: Olog-hai

There is a devastating comment about Boehner in today’s (Sun) Day-By-Day comic.

http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/

For those who don’t get the context, Chris Crocker is a whiny young gay guy who got “15 minutes of fame”, weeping and sobbing in a short video against people who made fun of disturbed songbird Britney Spears. It really raised the bar for pathetic self-indulgence. Two minutes and twelve seconds in length.

It contains bad language so should be considered NSFW.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHmvkRoEowc


19 posted on 12/23/2012 6:57:36 AM PST by yefragetuwrabrumuy (Pennies and Nickels will NO LONGER be Minted as of 1/1/13 - Tim Geithner, US Treasury Sect)
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To: Olog-hai
Not to worry...Bohner just hired a new negotiator...

He comes with a twisted arm pre-condition (courtesy of the British National Health System)


20 posted on 12/23/2012 6:58:47 AM PST by spokeshave (The only people better off today than 4 years ago are the Prisoners at Guantanamo.)
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