Cheney, Limbaugh, Gingrich not hurting GOP, Boehner says
WASHINGTON (CNN) – As the Republican Party struggles to right itself after being caught up in rough political seas, House Minority Leader John Boehner said Sunday a slew of recent and sometimes controversial comments and media appearances by a trio of high-profile Republicans is helping his struggling party.
“Having these voices out there, it doesn’t hurt us, it helps us,” Boehner told CNN’s John King on State of the Union when asked about former Vice President Dick Cheney, former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh.
“If we’re going to show the American people that we’ve got a better way forward, having a chorus of voices out there, I think is helpful to our effort,” added the Ohio Republican.
The GOP congressional leader had no illusions about how much work his party has to do.
“We’ve got a long way to come back. We’ve had two disastrous election cycles.”
And Boehner praised the National Council for a New America, a recent GOP effort spearheaded by House Minority Whip Eric Cantor that is intended to rebrand the GOP and help it reconnect with voters.
“All the wisdom in America isn’t found here in Washington, DC,” Boehner said of the new GOP group. “There’s nothing wrong with going out and listening to the American people, sharing our principles, trying to find ways to address the concerns of the American people. But address those concerns with solutions, solutions that are built on Republican principles. So, I think this dialogue is important.”
Boehner left open the possibility that in the run-up to the 2010 midterm elections, the GOP might use something like Gingrich’s 1994 “Contract with America” to brand its message to voters.
“Having these voices out there, it doesn’t hurt us, it helps us,” Boehner told CNN’s John King on State of the Union when asked about former Vice President Dick Cheney, former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh.
Boehner,
Have you personally listened to any of these "helpers"? Add Sean Hannity, Fox News, Ann Coulter, Neil Boortz, etc., to the list, then appear on John King's show to re-state your observation/position.
If the Republican party continues to choose these "helpers" all of the Republican messages will be filled with hate.
Let's make Newt Gingrich the spokesman for GOP social policy, like Sanctity of Marriage (how many times, Newt?)...The Republican principles to which Boehner refers are the same people, same stuff that got us into the mess we're in today.
I beg to disagree. These fanatics are slowly killing the Republican party. I used to consider myself a Rockefeller Republican. Now it appears that I'm more of a Specter Democrat.
The two party system is slowly poisoning America. Few politicians feel the need to compromise, and most clearly place the good of the party before the good of the nation.
After Obama puts us into bankruptsy it won't matter who was speaking for who.
Newt Gingrich was a disgrace for the party, full of scandals during his career as a house speaker.
Dick Cheney is a war criminal and should be in jail.
Rush LImbaugh is a totally lunatic
If these 3 bone heads are the voice of Republicans, you won't be seeing this party back in the power for the next 100 years
Of course their not hurting the Republicans, they were already dead those Idiots are just helping to bury them.. Morons
I strongly disagree with the Congressman. These individuals are one of several reasons why I cannot again vote for a Republican for any political office. And, I DID vote Republican in prior Presidential Elections.
Boehner says: Cheney, Limbaugh, Gingrich not hurting GOP... Really? Are you sure? I'm pretty sure that your party is divided, lost members, and is falling apart. Maybe Boehner thinks that way because he is part of the dividers...the GOP that are dividing their party. Another reason I changed parties this year.
Cheney, Limbaugh, Gingrich – they know what Americans really believe. They know that the public's infatuation with Obama will eventually wear off, as Americans realize how different his policies are from their core values.
Hey Repub moderates, control your nut jobs! Yea, you might be amussed, but the other 80% of us are tired of the carnival show.
Hey Boner...until the GOP jettisons Cheney, Limbaugh, Gingrich and others, your party will be on the losing end.
It's just not possible to pick up a turd by the clean end, now is it.
The current GOP is the turd...
As a conservative independent, I think all four of these guys are hurting the party. New blood is needed. For all of you who mentioned Bush in your comments, you are deeply troubled with your hatred.
The entire Republican Party needs a reality check. Their entire philosophy seems to be centered on demonizing Speaker Pelosi while seemingly ignoring illegal torture.
@John Hufnagel –
Fanatics? Are you kidding me? You're forgetting about Reid, Pelosi...Emanuel....Solis...and all the other tax cheating cronies...let's not forget about the king himself; the problem with liberals is they latch on to misinformation, and when they try to polarize others into their misguided realities....well, the result is often posts from lost souls .....
Continue to bash the GOP and stereotype us as rich white bigots. Every time a liberal says that we grow in strength and numbers.
Democrats, the ice is melting right under your feet (and it's not from global warming)!
Manipulating public opinion?
Totally disagree with Mr. Boehmer...they are castrating the Republican party , for sure....
At this point, NOTHING CAN POSSIBLY HURT the Republican Party ....They are already at the bottom!
please keep talking cheney. i love it when you incriminate yourself on a daily basis
They are agents of the Democratic Party.
Why are the republicans so desperately trying to make Nancy Pelosi out to be the bad guy? It was their president gwb and vice pres cheyney who broke the law and ordered the torture. Who cares what Nancy knew or didn't know? She wasn't running the country and let's not lose sight of who really was ruining this country. BTW how did bush and cheyney's policies keep us safe from 911?
"A chorus of voices" claiming the GOP have "a better way forward"???
The Republicans are a deluded bunch are they not? The highly devisive chorus that the base are listening to has done nothing to advance the cause other than continue the rhetoric of "no" and oppose anything the Obama administration is putting forward.
For them to claim a better way forward, they need to begin a dialogue that does not include the phrases "our children and grandchildren", "our plan is better", or "bi-partisanship", as these phrases continue to provide sustenance to the eroding message that has been put forth since the election.
Sorry, but that's delusional nonsense. Keep thinking that way, GOP, and lose more members and relevancy.
Btw, there's no "a" in Boehner. LOL
Boehner states “If we’re going to show the American people that we’ve got a better way forward, having a chorus of voices out there, I think is helpful to our effort."
If the ideas of Cheney, Limbaugh and Gingrich are their better way, then I'll take my chance on Obama and other people of intelligence!
As a Democrat, I am glad that the Republicans believe that Rush and Newt and Dick are not hurting their image.
The Democrats could not buy advertising this effective!!!
What do you mean helping the GOP? He's the one that got us into IRAQ and then lied about it. There is zero trust there. GOP is dead.