This guy annoys me sooo much! I really cannot stand to see him on my screen. He is the epitome of arrogance and envy. Why is it that every time I see him, he's trying to get his bafoon face on the camera?

Give him hell Rahm!

I've seen Dan Lungren in action here in the district he represents. He's no agent of change, a hold-over from Reagan-nomics, no new ideas, and he definitely puts Bush, Mcain, party and partisanship over his constituents views and needs. He was brought to our district from out of the area to run 4 years ago, when the Republicans wanted an idealogue candidate to run for an open seat. He's arrogant, too. So, Boehner or Lungren, you've got the same result. Neither are the right people.

Left Coast Mike— you are the type of person who represents what President-elect Obama wants to overcome….the politics of partisanship and of personal destruction. You should be ashamed of your post.

How disappointing! I was so hoping that Boehner would lose this position. He is a poor example of what we need in Washington to move forward and make changes for the better. He is very arrogant and narrow minded. His only concern is the Republican party not the well being of his constituents or the needs of our Country.

Now we know why the "R" party is going the way of the dinosaur. No change in anything, including it's whoring for the so-called christian right. Just die and leave the rest of us in peace.

This is not good news for the GOP who really need to change.

A perfect example of why the Republicans won't be controlling Congress or the White House for the next 8-12 years. Boehner is a first-rate neocon dinosaur jerk! When will the Republicans wise up? CAN they?

Boehner is a Bush tool and someone who is incapable of any independent thought. Bad move for the GOP.

Can we start using our Obama dollars yet?

Interesting…My boy "Opie" (aka Adam Putnam) from central FL is probably getting himself out of the limelight in order to run his own Presidential campaign in 2012 or 16. Just watch…

My boy "Opie" (aka Adam Putnam) from central FL is probably getting himself out of the limelight in order to run his own Presidential campaign in 2012 or 16. Just watch…

To all of the morons who think this past election validated their liberal views….

It was about the war and the economy, nothing more. The majority of the people in this country are no more in desire of reverse discrimination, gay marriage, unlimited abortion-on-demand, and anti-religious views now than they were before the election.

When the anti-war rhetoric dies down and the economy recovers, we'll be right back where we were before….with liberals trying to foist their "superior" lifestyle upon the rest of us, and the rest of us quietly continuing to live our "inferior" lives where for some incredible reason belief in God actually means something.

Boy the Rethuglicans are really trying to change direction. They can't say one word about the Obama coalition.

So much for expanding the rushpublican base.

OB12

Boehner is yet another republican thats trying to bad mouth his way into political power. The loud mouther nitwits need to shut up and get to work.
They have no ideas of their own and criticize other's ideas and need for change.
What ARE his ideas for the future of the country other than to call democrats ugly names?

GPO better finds it's self real quck or we are gonna be screwed in 2012, 2016, 2020. One term for Obama and the democrats will be enough!

John Boehner does not sound like a politician it sounds more like a "JOE THE PLUMBER'

Bad choice!!! He has already let it be known that he has no intention of getting along with Obama and the Democrats. He fully intends to fight thm every step of the way. And that sneaky Eric Cantor is just like him. Two peas in a pod. Oh well, they won't be around forever.

he's one of the worst.

Jan November 19th, 2008 1:02 pm ET

where does CNN get off comparing Obama to Abraham Lincoln? What a joke–Lincoln and Obama have no similarities that I can see. This Obama thing is getting out of hand. He has not done one thing of note –what an insult to Lincoln and all republicans.
**************************************************************************
Do you even read the stories you comment on or do you just bash Obama at any opportunity?

After all the money the Unions "invested" in Obama's election,we'll see if Obama will be the CHANGE he promised,or will "payback" the lobbyist. .I'll bet he pays back the LOBBYIST.

Lovely. So much for reshaping the GOP.

Hope you broaden your tent wider. Do not demonize immigrants, make them legal, they do vote. One way to avoid extinction of the party.

And the Republicans are accusing President Elect as selecting "the same old, same" old??

Jan,
Where do YOU get off comparing the present day Republican party to Lincoln?
He would not recognize what his party has become. Shame on you for you short sighted, "party before country" attitude.

Oh, good. More of the same from the GOP. Well, that should make things easier in 2010 for the Democrats.

Boehner should have voluntarily stepped down from his leadership post too. If the Republicans want to rebuild and become credible again, he is not the man to do it.

That said, I also wish the Dems would rethink their leadership. Congress needs leaders with a combination of a spine and bipartisan common sense if they're going to get anything done and done right.

AND….just like the Democrats keeping Lieberman, we now see that the House Republicans also stand for NOTHING. This "Leader" mounted no real resistance to the HUGE increase is spending and the continued bloating of the size of government over these past 6 years. In fact he voted for all the spending bills.

The Republicans will not "Put Country First." They will protect their "good'ole Boy" system of power until the very end.

Is this all they got left? Oh! the rest are going to JAIL.

I'm glad they are keeping the clowns who brought them to the place they are now. Bring back Gingrich!

McConnel, Boehner??? Too bad you can't keep Bush-Cheney

ewwww…so much for redefining the GOP.
and Jan- what an insult to Lincoln is right!! How people like you use his memory and his remarkable history to trash others is the worst insult of all!!

More of the SAME!

Boehner?

Nice to see the Republicans putting "Country First". Geez.

Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor is going to bring only bickering and partisanship to the office. He was the one leading the house republicans to say no on the bailout because of a speech Pelosi read. Apparently when his feelings get hurt, he screams and refuses to do his job. I would have respected him if he was against it on principal or because he thought the plan would not have worked. But instead, he felt he had to have a press conference and make a hissy fit on how his feelings were hurt by one speech and accused Pelosi for changing his mind and ending the bailout/hurting the country. Blaming others, partisanship, and hissy fits are not going to help the republicans or the country. Cantor is the worst choice for the #2 position. His ego is too big and his demeanor is off base as everyone can see from the example above. With Cantor as lead, the republicans will bring a stalemate to congress and pigeonhole the party to a minority spot for years to come. I hope the other two reps. are more evenhanded and focused on solutions rather than theater. Otherwise it will be all small minded partisanship with will help no one. A very bad choice on the party.

*This comment is not about the bailout but on an example of how a representative Eric Cantor acts when decisions get tough. It is not for or against the bailout.

… the GOP will be full throated in their complaints about who Obama picks as his leadership team but the GOP seems unwilling to change their own leadership.

When you make the same choices, you get the same results.

Boehner?

Nice to see the Republicans putting "Country First".

He's a real LOSER! I hope he does not get reelected! He looks like Inspector Gadget!

Farrell, Houston, Tx November 19th, 2008 12:54 pm ET wrote:

I see the GOP was smart enough to shut out Palin, that is atleast until Palin and her husband get some education, but they won't. They will continue to be welfare recipients of Alaska.

——————-

I think you can use a little education yourself, there, big guy. Palin is not even in the House – she's a governor.

Amazing isnt it? The same Republicans that bailed out the milionaires and billionaires on Wall St, because they were "too big to fail", now balk at the idea of bailing out the Big Three automakers unless the union people make huge consessions. Are we done with the Repubs yet? Is it Jan 20th? Did anyone ask the employees of AIG to make concessions? Did anyone stop the flow of money when the 100's of thousands of tax $$ went to "executive Junkets", to " reward their top producers"? What a crock of crap this all is. If anyone has any doubt the disaster that a Big 3 bankruptcy will cause, let me tell you the facts as I see them. I have been in retail auto sales most of my adult life. I have seen the web of businesses supported by the auto industry and I have seen the consequences of things like parts orders that cannot be fulfilled and the fear in the eyes of a new car buyer when they listen to a sales person talk about a warranty and they wonder if the company that warranties the car will be here 3 years from now. This is the real consequence for real people, not paper consequences for million $$ investors. If the first bailout had been used as agreed, to get the banks to start lending again, it is possible that we would not be this bad off right now, but as usual, no one was watching and the banks used the monies for everything but, including buying up other banks. In the meanwhile, the factory worker, who has been out of work for six months and watched their lifelong good credit rating destroyed in the process, can no longer secure financing for the new car they need to get to the new job they took at 1/2 the salary they had worked a lifetime to attain. For all these people who are screaming let them fail, it is capitalism, take a moment to understand that we have been capitualting to the Japanese, Chinese, Koreans etc for far too long. Let the domestics fail and it will truly be the end of our society as we know it, our backbone, our strength will drain away. It is not just about cars, it is about steel to make them, tires to drive them, cogs and gaskets and rubber and leather and we can go on and on. The Republican show of fiscal conservatism is just that, a show and it is time to pull the curtain down and do what's right for the future of our entire country. As far as Boehner goes? His incompetance has led us this far, maybe by 2010, the Dems will have a 70 seat majority and something can finally be done for the average citizen.

Still searching for Obama November 19th, 2008 1:19 pm ET

So far Obama has been likened to Jesus, Lincoln, FDR, JFK, MLK…

Is this because no one still knows who he is?

____________________________________________

This article does not even mention Obama's name. Stick to the topic and quit with the GOP fear and smear crap.

Boehner is the hateful, vindictive sort of Repub that's stuck in the partisan politics of the past….the GOP will come to regret this decision

I see"change"is coming to the Republican Party also.

Listening to his comments regarding the Big 3's troubles I have come to the conclusion that this man is a rabid dog. And he comes from a heavy manufacturing state no less. Just what is his malfunction ?

_____________DO NOT BAIL OUT THE AUTOMAKERS————–

—————–MAKE THEM FILE CHAPTER 11——————————

——–FIRE ALL OF THE MANAGEMENT————————————

———–REORAGANIZE———————————————————

———–UNITED AUTO WORKERS TAKE YOUR PAY CUT————-

————–AT LEAST YOU HAVE A JOB—————————-

——I AM A UNION MEMBER FOR 30+ YEARS TOOK A PAY CUT, ABOUT $6.50 PER HR. AND KEEP MY JOB—–IT HURTS BUT IT WORKS———–

————————–SORRY—————————————–

Boehner is the hateful, vindictive sort of Repub thats stuck in the parisan politics of the past….the GOP will come to regret this decision

How can anyone even liken Lincoln to modern Republicans? All they share with his GOP is the name….Lincoln was a progressive and, like Obama, had little experience coming in as president of a divided nation. Both are political geniuses and wonderful speakers (you don't have to agree with Obama to recognize how deftly he handled that campaign or how remarkable his speeches were). Both were bestselling authors before their candidacy. Perhaps most importantly, both believe in leading a "team of rivals," having a bipartisan cabinet who will advise on what is best for the COUNTRY, unlike the yes-men of the Bush era. The GOP is no more the party of Lincoln than the Democratic Party is that of Strom Thurmond.

Brian G, Sugar Land, TX November 19th, 2008 12:22 pm ET

The GOP never learns, do they? Same old, same old.
______________________________________________

Dems never learn do they? Same old Clinton cabinet!!!

Perfect…we can watch this baffoon make a fool of himself again with all the games, lies, and useless rhetoric which led to the GOP getting pounced.

Liberal and Proud of It November 19th, 2008 1:02 pm ET

Conservatism is down but not out. We need to drive a stake through its heart before it resurrects itself and completes the destruction of our nation.
_________________________________________________

You mean you want a Dictatorship? You watch too much t.v.!!!!

If you don't like the USA move to another Country!!!

To "Jan" please stick with the subject matter. Obama and Lincoln is not what the above article is about. Also, the next time you post a comment, please make sense. Thanks!!

So far Obama has been likened to Jesus, Lincoln, FDR, JFK, MLK…

Is this because no one still knows who he is?

Better him then Palin, thank god…

That's what this country needs….. More ineffective repiglican leadership.

John Boehner and Eric Cantor are the leaders of the House Republicans? It’s the Neocon version of Cheech and Chong. The next two years should be interesting seeing these two gentlemen lose more GOP house seats for the 2010 election. Great job guys!

Republicans when will you learn? You need to start over from the ground up, but NO you keep the same old nuts that keep you from going NOWHERE………if you ever want to see the majority of your party in the Senate or House or if you ever want the White House again, you better make some big big changes in your party………and Palin isn't the answer, she will only take you futher down the wrong road to NOWHERE……….

"stop trying to break our union"

I think the union's been breaking us. Look at comparative production costs in the US for the "Big Three" and the foreign makers producing autos here. There's a 32 dollar per hour difference in those costs.

The raw materials cost the same, the products have the same functions yet the non-union shops operate in the black, the union outfits operate in the red and need a bailout.

If you can do the math, it's pretty clear.

For all the talk about bailouts and re-distribution of wealth, WHY wont anyone point out the yearly "bailouts" we give the farmers? Is it not considered a bailout if you do it every year? Give it a pretty name like "subsidy"

Why dont any of the Democrats throw it back to the GOP about " re-distribution of wealth when the farmers line up year after year for their BAILOUT check from the federal government.

Darko: Boehner is not in the Senate. Carl from MI: There is no such thing as a filibuster in the House of Representatives. I myself couldnt be happier, but lets not forget – King Nutjob Gingrich led the GOP to a 52 seat gain in one election. So lets not rest on our collective laurels.

AZGrammy,

You are absolutely right, I would not have bailed out wall street.

Companies are responsible for loaning their money wisely and people need to not take loans they can't afford. When those 2 things happen then it should be no one's problem but those involved

LIBERIAL AND PROUD OF IT……i agree with you 100%

THE GOP IS STILL A PARTY? THEY SUCK

Gotta agree with Carl from MI…..Boner is a huge part of the problem….he and they can continue to insist "their" way is the "best" way, but history shows us the opposite….so keep insisting and the Dems will keep winning….thanks

HE IS A LOSER FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

Conservatism is down but not out. We need to drive a stake through its heart before it resurrects itself and completes the destruction of our nation.

where does CNN get off comparing Obama to Abraham Lincoln? What a joke–Lincoln and Obama have no similarities that I can see. This Obama thing is getting out of hand. He has not done one thing of note –what an insult to Lincoln and all republicans.

Matt ,
" When a company fails, they go under. That's called capitalism."

What about the "companies" on Wall Street?
AIG (Insurance) that wasn't allowed to fail, "…because it's too big" ?
This monolith was insuring "Credit Default Swaps", a form of gambling, along with valid products.
"Swaps" were thus called to evade strict insurance regulations.

Congessional leaders of both parties followed the Bush Administration Sec of the Treasury into the ditch on bailout.

Please keep this loser.

Wow, 3 wingnuts running the republicans further right! Bodes well for 2010.

Boehner isn't a bad Senator, he's just an ineffective leader.

There has to be someone else in the Senate that can take command and get the 'real' conservative message to the people.

Boehner just doesn't present his case and doesn't get the word out…or the media doesn't put it out like they do for Pelosi and Reid.

I can only hope we never have to hear from this man. He is a snake as are all of the right wing religous nuts are!!

As a 40 year long republican who this year voted for Obama I would like to tell the republican party–YOU NEED A COMPLETE OVERHAUL!!!

I see the GOP was smart enough to shut out Palin, that is atleast until Palin and her husband get some education, but they won't. They will continue to be welfare recipients of Alaska.

Paul Ryan should have challenged for the minority leader position….he is the best the GOP congress has to offer.

Great! Looks like the GOP will do as well in 2012 as they did in 2008. Keep up the good work, John!

Can't teach an old, though no longer "Grand," party new tricks! While America is changing, they stick to their guns and may end up like the dinosaurs.

Cantor & Pence. Just what America needs! Two more right-wing ideologues!

Let's see how far into oblivion the House Republicans can hurl themselves.

It will be funny watching this Bush toadie squirm for the next four years!

People like Bahner, like John Zeigler, like Rush Limbaugh… you are all about creating fear and obtaining power through hate and fear. It is astonishing that Christian leaders turn a blind eye to this.

I suppose if your pulpit message is "believe or you go to hell" vs. "believe in the love of God", then you are likely to buy the fear message.

People don't have to be afraid to Christian and don't have to be afraid even to be Republican. Those GOP who stand FOR things instead of against things are short in number but will eventually prevail in the Party. When that day comes, I may reconsider my vote.

Until that day, I vote for, and believe in those things that inspire me, not those people who wish to make me afraid.

Now if we can only get rid of Pelosi and Reid, maybe we can get something done.

Good.
In the past two years he's been the only voice of reason and logic I've heard in our congess.

If anyone can move in the direction of collaborative engagement–but strive for conservative issues-it's this guy.

He should have been the candidate for GOP President.

BAD choice.
Now we know the republicans aren't about to do anything to clean up their nasty ways. Boehener is nothing but a big mouthed vile man, and he will cause further destruction to the republican party.
Wait and see.

Palin/Boehner 2012. Please. Obama will have 4 more yrs. for sure.
The ReThugs are going down, down, down and I like it. The truth has come to light.

If Obama starts out like Clinton, paying his debt to left-wing nutjobs with legislation like Dont-ask-dont-tell, this man may be the next speaker of the house. Remember 1994????

And they wonder what happened to our grand ole party. Keep Bush's allies and they will never win again.

What a pity. Many smarter choices available.

ANNOUNCEMENT: The GOP just lost the next election cycle. When will they learn that they cannot move forward until they come up with new leadership and new ideas?

Yes, of course the Republicans would choose the first idiot to accuse President-elect Obama of partisan politics before he's even done anything. This just further illustrates the hunker-down bunker-mentality that the G.O.P. is developing. They are setting themselves up so that they can paint themselves as vicitms of partisan tactics in 2010 by putting the most contrarian of possible choices in leadership roles within the minority. It's just sad.

They should be careful in resorting to this tactic. While it will certainly play well with the extreme right it may backfire and alienate moderates and indepents…

I guess this means more of the same from the Republicans. I hope they continue to jog to the right and pick Sarah Palin as the 2012 frontrunner so that they can alienate even more people from their party.

Wait….is that "More of the Same" I'm hearing?

Yup.

NOW THAT'S TAKING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN A NEW DIRECTION. THIS SHOULD HELP RE-BUILD A NEW GOP !!! THIS IS A RUBBER STAMP FOR THE GRAND "OLD" PARTY AND BUSINESS AS USUAL.

Dumb move! The Republican Party needs to redefine itself and find it's lost values. Boehner ain't the answer. He's been part of the problem.

I thought the GOP had learned its lesson of allowing so many Boehners into their party. In my opinion, they need fewer Boehners, not more Boehners.

Keeping this Boehner is a bad choice, since he's proven himself to be the #1 Boehner in the party.

To all you union lovers out there…WAKE UP. Unions are a thing of the past, and the union leaders don't care about you. They care about their own pockets. Take it from someone who watched her father dedicate himself not only to his job, but also to the union for 20 years only to have them screw him up the you know what.

As for this article, I am sure if this was about dem leadership, it would be considered important.

Once again the Republican Party fails to remove a BS peddler from a leadership role. Either way, though, the seatwarmer in this role was going to be a negative obstructionist from day one.

Great News!

Don't know how us Democrats could have gotten along without him.

The GOP never learns, do they? Same old, same old.

This guy's a total jerk and is a true Republican leader. He can lead their party from the ditch into the gully. He is the reason why America has turned from the Republican party. He's one of the last card-carrying members of their Culture of Corruption.

Thank God Dem's have a fillibuster-proof vote in the House!! I can't wait to see what evil things this guy comes up with next time Congress comes to session!!

Great – may the GOP fair as well in 2012 as they did this year! Keep up the good work, John!

Excellent. And Rene, your industry doesn't deserve it. When a company fails, they go under. That's called capitalism. Tell your boss to file for bankruptcy and go home and watch Dr. Phil

Great – may the GOP fair as well in 2012 as they did this year! Keep up the good work, John!

Hoorah!!!!

And this is news we can use? Please.

who cares. bailout the auto industry, we deserve it, and stop trying to break our union