Well, surprise, surprise. On Friday, John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced that not only would he be stepping down as speaker of the House of Representatives at the end of October, he would also resign from Congress itself at the same time.
This came one day after Boehner’s most significant non-legislative accomplishment during the two decades he has served in Congress: Thanks to his invitation, Pope Francis became the first head of the Catholic Church to address a joint session of Congress.
To say that a lot of conservative lawmakers have been disenchanted with Boehner’s leadership in the House would be an understatement. Several had already let it be known that they would oppose his re-election as speaker this fall — so many, in fact, that Boehner’s aides had been hinting that Boehner might cut a deal with the Democrats to guarantee his re-election. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) let it be known that she was licking her lips in anticipation of the goodies she could demand to throw enough support behind the beleaguered candidate.
The announcement of his planned resignation averts all of that. Now Boehner can look forward to making some serious money on the speaker circuit, advising various groups and businesses, and writing his memoirs. He won’t pocket the astronomical sums that have enriched Bill and Hillary Clinton, of course. But it will certainly be enough to guarantee a life of ease as he works on his golf game — and his tan.
So who will the Republicans elect to succeed Boehner? The odds-on favorite is Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who currently holds the No. 2 position in the House leadership as majority leader. His selection would pretty much guarantee more of the same anemic, compromising leadership that has plagued Boehner’s tenure since he was elected speaker in 2011.
Here’s an idea, Republicans: Instead of putting another “we can’t win that battle, so why even try?” compromiser as the leader of House Republicans, how about putting a real fighter in the post? Elect someone who would put the Democrats and the White House on notice that the days of going along to get along are over and that most of the members of the U.S. House of Representatives are going to begin taking stands on principle, by golly, and not just cave in advance because of a threatened presidential veto?
Instead of a business-as-usual compromiser like McCarthy, how about putting someone like Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) in the speaker’s chair? I guarantee that would make the left sit up and take notice.
Heck, it might even be enough to give some backbone to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who has been even more of a disaster as a leader than Boehner.
Last year, McConnell openly declared war on conservatives, vowing that he would help “crush” Tea Party candidates in the primaries “everywhere.” He’s been the first in line to cut deals with the Democrats to fund Obamacare, raise the debt ceiling and expand government.
That’s why, after the Boehner announcement, I was glad to see the Senate Conservatives Action political action committee announce a campaign to “Ditch Mitch.”
SCA president Ken Cuccinelli gave a litany of McConnell’s compromises and failures thus far in 2015:
Since January, McConnell has funded executive amnesty, confirmed Loretta Lynch, worked to rescue the Export-Import Bank, passed a bloated highway bill, and is now working to pass a continuing resolution that fully funds Planned Parenthood, Obamacare, sanctuary cities, and the reckless Iran nuclear deal.
Remember, all of this is what a Republican leader has done, not what Democrats have demanded. No wonder Cuccinelli said of McConnell:
His failure to fight for limited government has driven the Republican Party’s image into the dirt, face first with no hands to catch itself. And yet, later this year he wants to bust the spending caps and raise the debt limit again!
Yes, Republicans have some key battles coming up this fall. Thus far, their legislative record is pretty pathetic, despite their majorities in both the House and the Senate.
Let’s see what steps the Republicans will take, if any, to change those sorry results. They can begin by electing a fighter as the new speaker of the House.
Until next time, keep some powder dry.
–Chip Wood
The post Can we get a fighter to succeed John Boehner? appeared first on Personal Liberty®.
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