Oh, c’mon, Speaker Boehner

I used to think John Boehner was a modern political version of George Babbitt, a successful climber

prosperous but worried, wanting – passionately – to seize something more than motor cars and a house before it’s too late.

Substitute Speakership for the cars and the house, then add “well-remembered” to it, and that’s what I thought Boehner aspired to.

His behavior in this shutdown/debt ceiling crisis is forcing me to change my mind. Now I think he wants — passionately — merely to hold onto the Speakership, no matter how history may regard him. Why else would he continue to allow the rump Tea Party portion of his caucus to block what he must know is the right thing to do — bring the Senate’s continuing resolution and debt ceiling legislation to the floor for a vote.? Those bills would pass in a very short time with primarily Democratic votes in favor, if only Boehner could bring himself to allow it to happen. But he’s is still hoping for some kind of miracle, one which causes Senate Democrats and the President to reverse all their public statements about the debt ceiling and their signature piece of legislation from three years ago, or perhaps one in which the brilliance of House Republican arguments suddenly carry the day and the Senate and the President bow before superior intellect.

Not gonna happen, John. Bring the Senate bill to the floor.

2 Comments

  1. I know, really, right?
    I’ve seen tons of stuff on the web with people speculating that he’s actually being blackmailed… though even that it’s hard to have an idea who would be threatening doom upon him if he lost speakership.
    I’ve also seen a lot of speculation and comment about his excessive drinking, and that his bizarre behaviour could be related to some kind of brain bending he has from being a raging alcoholic.
    That seems more likely.

    And the way he’s all hippity hoppity in his remarks now, afterward, it’s kinda creepy.

    And I did read a New Yorker article that seemed to provide a little bit of insight maybe.
    Can’t link to it here, because that sends the comment into oblivion.
    But the title of the piece is aptly titled:
    “What Is John Boehner Scared Of?”

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