Boehner says Obama's focus is to 'annihilate the Republican Party'
Washington (CNN) - House Speaker John Boehner told a group of Republicans the day after President Barack Obama's inaugural ceremony that the president's focus was to "annihilate the Republican Party."
In remarks to Republicans attending a closed luncheon sponsored by the Ripon Society, Boehner pointed to the president's speech as evidence Obama recognizes he can't achieve his agenda because of the GOP-led House of Representatives.
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"Given what we heard yesterday about the president's vision for his second term, it's pretty clear to me that he knows he can't do any of that as long as the House is controlled by Republicans. So we're expecting over the next 22 months to be the focus of this administration as they attempt to annihilate the Republican Party," the House speaker said.
Boehner underlined his point, adding, "And let me just tell you, I do believe that is their goal – to just shove us into the dustbin of history."
Boehner's spokesman said the transcript of Boehner's remarks posted by the Ripon Society was accurate, and noted that the speaker regularly attends the event held by the mainstream Republican group.
In his speech Boehner explained his strategy to move forward with a three month extension of the debt ceiling that includes a provision to force the Senate to vote on a budget.
The Ohio Republican also talked about how he's had to reassure fellow GOP members and donors who have expressed frustration in recent weeks about the political climate, including text he received from former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz. He's a longtime Republican supporter and Boehner friend who the speaker has tapped to give motivational speeches to House members.
Boehner noted that he had asked Holtz to come talk to the House Republican freshmen recently to prepare them for the fights ahead, but ended up having to convince Holtz the party would sort things out.
"I said, 'Lou, would you stop it? We're Americans, we'll figure this out!' And I had to spend 15 minutes giving Lou Holtz a pep talk! I had to do it again last night!" Boehner said.
The speaker also noted that he and other House Republican leaders charted out a short term strategy at their retreat last week with all House Republicans, but the party needed to begin a broader discussion about the big policy debates ahead.
"And while a lot of the retreat unfortunately got focused on the next 90 days, there needs to be further work to talk about how we're going to navigate the next 20 months and what our goals are and how do we defend ourselves in what I do believe is going to be a very hostile environment. All I know is I'm up for the fight," he said.
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not to mention, any OTHER party that gets in his way. That's what dictators do.
"Our number one priority is to make him a one term President"
And they have the tiny, sweaty, insufficient balls to complain about the politics of personal destruction?
Everyone do the glass houses dance!
Wow. Can the stupid reach an even more preposterous level? It was not all that long ago that the Republican party was winning all over the place and certain pundits were making claims about "never again' would America be in the grip of those "pablum puking liberals". EVerything cycles. RESPONSIBLE leadership, understands this and makes things WORK within it. Emphasis again on RESPONSIBLE and WORK.
Between the constant lying, cheating, intimidating, hypocrisy, and prejudice from the GOP, one wonders why Boehner would say this.
The republicans do not need anybody to aid them in their annihilation – they're doing a SPLENDID job of self-destruction all on their own. They must be so proud!
Nope – the GOP is doing just fine in succeeding with that all on their own!
@ Tony in Maine
How about we lose both extremes and meet in the middle.
Oh John, he has no intent of doing that, you're doing a perfectly good job of it yourselves.
I believe Boehner 100%. THis nation is going to a one party dictatorship. Before you know it, Obama will negate the two term limit and will appoint himself President in 2016. I hope all you dems are happy to have this guy ruin what was once a great nation!
Poor republicans!
Paranoia will destroy ya!!! Wow!!!
This is what you say when you want to blame someone else for your down faults.
Speaker Boehner needs to get eh Republicans behind him. He has lost power and has not been able to get his ideas accepted. His statements are ridiculous and had he and Sen. McConnell worked with the President they would have had the right to complain. They sat on their hands and now they are trying a new tack – the President is trying to annihilate them.
The accusation is bogus. McConnell, Boehner, Cantor, Walsh, Issa and others tried very hard to get the people to vote for their candidate, Mitt Romney. They failed as did he to defeat President Obama. Instead of complaining to RIPOM and every other group which will listen the Republicans need to move toward the center and work with others for the good of the country. Did the Speak cry during the meeting as he tried to accuse the Democrats and the President. \\Mr. Speaker do your job and let us judge for ourselves who should be elected and who should not. Do what is correct and vote for actions that move us ahead and stop this whining.
Name-calling is bullying and totally unnecessary for real Americans to lower themselves to. Instead of complaining, why not get together and do something about the gripes that cause us to spew rancor. We have had our fill of people pointing out all the problems that are there. What we really need are people to act and do something about them. We cannot stand for what is right when we sit and type about everything that is wrong. God Bless the USA and the people who protect us and keep us free.
So after 4 years where the primary job of the GOP was to make Obama a one-term President (just one more thing they failed at), they're now worried that he's going to annihilate the Republican Party? Please. They don't seem to need much help accomplishing that.
Give the speaker a crack pipe.....he's lost it!!! My God someone stop the madness of the delusion these paranoid individuals spew.
"Rick McDaniel – not to mention, any OTHER party that gets in his way. That's what dictators do."
Have you been examined by a mental health professional? Your vitriol and hyperbole are far beyond a normal human being.
The GOP doesn't need any outside help to be annihilated – they are doing a fine job of that all on their own.
Well if that doesn't beat all! The Republicans have imploded. They have fought among themselves with the Tea Party threatening the more moderate faction with defeat in future elections. They have wedded themselves to the likes of Grover Norquist and the NRA instead of representing the needs of the people they are suppose to serve. For John Boehner to say blame Obama is hubris beyond belief.
"Before you know it, Obama will negate the two term limit and will appoint himself President in 2016."
Before you know it, 5 different new POTUSes will go by and that will never have happened, but the GOP/Teatrolls will still be accusing Dem presidents of trying to do it in order to stir up fear and increase gun sales.
-Waylon
I believe Boehner 100%. THis nation is going to a one party dictatorship. Before you know it, Obama will negate the two term limit and will appoint himself President in 2016. I hope all you dems are happy to have this guy ruin what was once a great nation!
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The GOP wanted Reagan to have another term, as well as sticking his mug on Mt Rushmore. While they were not able to accomplish those things, he did set us on path that has led us to the problems we are facing now. Thank him, and don't complain when the Dems pull us out of the ditch (again).
Boehner is seeing the right trend, but has misidentified the culprit. The Tea Party Republicans are committing self-immolation. Example: Todd Aikens.
@Waylon
I believe Boehner 100%. THis nation is going to a one party dictatorship. Before you know it, Obama will negate the two term limit and will appoint himself President in 2016. I hope all you dems are happy to have this guy ruin what was once a great nation!
------------------------------------------------- Go back to school. Take a government class. Stop watching Fox News.
If anybody wanted to "annihilate the Republican Party" they would convince them to build their base around people who say (and ostensibly believe) the foolish sort of things you just said. With that base Republicans can only win the Primary election. The average American isn't hateful, bigoted and ill-informed enough to occupy the Republican right-wing. It's a math thing.
-Rick McDaniel
not to mention, any OTHER party that gets in his way. That's what dictators do.
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Where were you when the Patriot Act got passed? Cracking open a cold one?