Washington (CNN) – House Speaker John Boehner said Thursday he was confident the House would re-elect him speaker, but conceded a few fellow Republicans would likely vote against him.
Some conservative activists have called on the House to oust Boehner following the passage of a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff. The deal raised tax rates for American households earning more than $450,000 per year. While Boehner made a last-minute effort to include spending cuts in the deal, the measure passed without them.
Rep. Eric Cantor, the House Majority Leader, also expressed confidence Thursday that Boehner would be re-elected speaker, saying "absolutely" when asked whether his colleagues would support Boehner for another term in the top post.
Cantor voted "no" on the final fiscal cliff deal Tuesday night, breaking with Boehner, who cast a "yea" vote. A majority of House Republicans voted against the bill, though earlier Tuesday it passed with a large majority in the Senate.
When CNN asked Cantor if the speaker will be re-elected he replied "absolutely."
The speaker also confirmed that he's told his GOP colleagues that he's going to back off attempting one-on-one negotiations with President Barack Obama to pre-cook major deals, after the two men failed to reach an agreement averting the fiscal cliff. The deal that eventually passed was brokered by Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate.
"Regular order works best," Boehner said – meaning he'll follow normal legislative process in the future by introducing bills in the House that would eventually be sent to the president.
Boehner added that he's "always happy to talk to the president."
Researchers now know that Congenital Smirkitis may be contageous. Please give now. 😉
The F-bomb was funny to me, he's actually human! Anyways tho, does anyone proofread these articles before they go online? "list-effort"... really?
The Republican Party is in a very sad state when someone like Boehner who failed at his number one priority to make Obama a one term president can be sure of keeping his job. I guess his fellow Republican don't want to be told go F yourselves so will support the failed house leader in his bid for a second term.
Time for someone new!!!!
This man is heartless...he us useless..let him go...cry baby..
With God's will, he will lose.
You guys don't even know what's going on, do you? Why arguing Boehner or Cantor? The vote is taking place right now, it's Boehner v Pelosi. Get a clue.
GOP is dying a slow and funny death. These clowns need to either go to clown college and find a job elsewhere, or go home and retire on their millions. I am sick of these snotty rich people who somehow manipulate the stupid masses into voting against their best interests. It's so sick.
Maybe Governor Christie could take the job?
Boehner is a weak leader and a poor negotiator. That is why he is failing at his job. Granted that he is in a tough spot with the Tea Party fascists and Grover telling him what to do but he is still very weak.
HE needs to go- Him and Eric Canton! The blame should be put on both of them not the President.
If they didn't fire obama i'm sure they will not fire this man...
Sad that he won't be fired. He has proven to be unworthy of the post.
Oy. It's a choice between Boehner and Pelosi. In a Republican house the winner there is a no-brainer. I was hoping for a serious challenge.
Bonehead also felt confident that Romney would win.
"The regular order works best" uhh duhh BOSS of the House! I hope you are replaced and all I can do is the "regular order" and call my rep .....who doesn't care one way or another about me....just about keeping his meal ticket so-called job, and ask him vote to NO on keeping Boehner as House Leader. Then the "regular order" will be that he doesn't actually represent me because he will vote yes.
Time for everyone to contact their Reps and tell them to vote him down. I just did.
John Boehner a good man.
Like the little blue pill this Boehner has lost it's stamina.
This man seems heartless, so, he will more than likely keep his job.. sheesh..
It could have been worse, It could have been Cantor!
Sadly, there are still plenty of RWNJs who will support him.
If your Congress is getting a 10 per cent approval rating, it's time to step aside.
The Republicans made the mess. Their memories are very short. The GOP has absolutely NO interest in the average working class american. they simply cannot relate to the working class at any level. What I find most disturbing is that they blatantly and overtly have no shame in how they talk about and treat the working class in this country. GOOD LUCK GETTING VOTES IN 2016.
He has GOT to go! How can he think he's leading when he's crass to a fellow leader (F-himself!) and can leave families of a huge hurricane stranded in WINTER...broken promises, can't hold his group together, doesn't know the meaning of the word compromise which is what makes government WORK! So transparently partisan it's pathetic!