Boehner won’t commit to serving out another full term as Speaker
Washington (CNN) - House Speaker John Boehner said Monday he expects to be re-elected Speaker after the midterm elections, but he wouldn't commit to serving out another full two year term in the top post.
Speaking at an event hosted by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Boehner said "I am running for re-election I expect to be speaker."
[twitter-follow screen_name='politicalticker'][twitter-follow screen_name='deirdrewalshcnn']
But when pressed if he would remain in the post for another term, Boehner dodged the question, saying, "Listen, I can't predict what is going to happen. I am going to be 65 years old in November. I never thought I'd live to be 60 so I am living on borrowed time."
The Speaker reiterated his support for addressing immigration reform, an issue that deeply divides the House Republican conference. Boehner got into hot water last month with some conservatives when he mocked some of his fellow GOP members for complaining how politically difficult the issue is. He said they've been begging him not to force them to take a vote on it.
Some tea party-affiliated groups, already unhappy with Boehner's leadership pointed to those comments, along with the Speaker's support for some type of legal status for undocumented workers, as reasons why he should step aside.
On Monday, the Speaker acknowledged he still faces resistance from a group of his House Republican colleagues on immigration.
"I need to work with my colleagues and bring them along. And while I feel strongly about the need to deal with immigration reform I have got to bring these members along," Boehner said.
When discussing his approach to immigration Boehner repeated a line he’s used before – saying, “a leader without followers is simply a man taking a walk.”
Boehner said "it's very challenging" to move controversial issues during an election year, but he insisted that the political consideration about the Republican Party's future "has no impact" in his desire to pass immigration reforms.
"This is not about politics, it's not about elections. It's about doing the right thing for the American people, it's about doing the right thing for the country – period." Boehner said.
He repeated his support for passing immigration measures in steps, and said the "logical first step" would be focusing on border security.
From CNN Politics
- Progressive group launches $3.2 million advertising buy to push federal voting law March 23, 2021 11:01 am
- US and allies announce sanctions against Chinese officials for 'serious human rights abuses' against Uyghurs March 23, 2021 10:32 am
- Trump's army takes aim at 2022 touting his election lies March 23, 2021 05:01 am
- Why Republican voter restrictions are a race against time March 23, 2021 04:27 am
- Warnock's seat comes into focus amid battle over voting laws and filibuster rules March 23, 2021 03:06 am
- White House aides prep $3 trillion jobs package for Biden March 23, 2021 02:30 am
"Listen, I can't predict what is going to happen. I am going to be 65 years old in November. I never thought I'd live to be 60 so I am living on borrowed time."
Following the "too old to run" mantra of the Republican party it would seem that Mr. Boehner has served his purpose.
"I have got to bring these members along"
No you don't. The Senate's very bipartisan immigration reform bill would pass if you put it to a vote tomorrow. Guaranteed. Of course, that's precisely why you won't bring it up (and everyone in the Hispanic community knows it).
Your Demographic Armageddon is on its way...tick tock tick tock....
And that should be good news to the world.
He will have to move over after the Kangaroo Comity on Benghazi goes no place .
Up next ,
Eric Cantor or Paul Ryan ?
Putting money on his return as speaker is a dubious proposition.
I don't blame him, who would want to work with a MAJORITY of TEAPARTY MORONS.
Its nice to see some Republican Party members who understand the whole thing about immigration. I just don't get why, immigrants who are here, respecting the law, working and hoping for a better life for their family are being kicked out. No one is saying full citizenship should just be handed out but legal status to remain here, to work and add to the countries economy and GDP, and pay taxes should not require an arm and a leg. Full citizenship and legal ability to contribute to the US economy are two different things. Let's stop breaking up families, it's not really right.
You would think Boehner would be pretty well rested since they have worked the fewest days and passed the least amount of legiation in over 100 years
Then again working with his party of tantrum throwing babies with zero solutions for America has to be kind of trying his patience
Good, good riddens to this republican ass who has done nothing but hamper this country moving forward. One less problem for Obama to deal with, hopefully we'll get a Dem house speaker in.
O'drama you mama
But just what was his purpose? Showing us that you can serve in office, be paid, and produce absolutely nothing?
Please vote him out of office.
I dont think that the Republicans will hold the House in 2016 because Democrats will turn out then in overwhelming numbers especially with a Hillary Clinton candidacy. Boehner wont be Speaker because the Republicans wont hold the House. Not after the GOP resists a minimum wage increase for the common workibg man, resists immigration reform for latinos and others, and continues to insult women via pay inequity and attacks on abortion RIGHTS.
I hope Obama, Biden, Bill Clinton and other high profile Democrats [other than Hillary] seize the 2014 election as an opportunity to drive Democratic turnout to POTUS election year levels. Obama`s THIRD TERM runs from 2014 to 2016 with a Democratic House . . . or at least a neutralized, reduced GOP majority.
The GOP has lost on `ObamaCare` with 8M+ signups and is shifting its diatribes to other red herrings like yet another committee on Benghazi or the IRS. It wouldn`t take much to pull the curtain back on the GOP. I hope Obama decides to go down in history as a "lame duck gunslinger" He can completely rewite the history books if he does.
Language Matters
They Say: Immigration Reform.
They Mean: Uncontrolled Immigration.
"Immigration Reform" used to mean - and should mean - improving the immigration system for the benefit of th American people. The official, bi-partisan U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform concluded that "reform" required cutting legal immigration from a million a year to a half-million and insisting that illegal aliens go home.
But politicians and media who use the term today mean "Uncontrolled Immigration." They mean allowing nearly all illegal aliens to remain and doubling the level of legal immigration.
Does the bo her have anything else to say besides what he thinks Americans want? He's so full of it!
"This is not about politics, it's not about elections. It's about doing the right thing for the American people, it's about doing the right thing for the country – period." Boehner said.
In my opinion, Boehner needs to be replaced as speaker. No ifs, ands, or buts.
The history of the present U.S. Congress is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over the U.S. long-term unemployed. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
1. U.S. Congress has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
2. Boehner has forbidden the U.S. Congress to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained (tax breaks for corporation/wealthy individuals); and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
3. Boehner has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
4. Boehner has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
5. Boehner has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
6. Boehner has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
7. Boehner has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions the long term unemployed have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury.
Boehner’s character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
well, they say the good die young
This guy is nothing short of a terrorist to the American People.It would benefit ALL AMERICANS if this guy is gone and forgotten as quick as possible
The most honorable thing he could do now is step down. He has made it clear he won't be doing much of anything else.
Well, he is not working for the AMERIAAN people thats for sure. how many are struggling that cant find work because of his REFUSAL to extend unemployment benefits? and yet caters to the wealthy. Grr. Take care of the ones that elected him 1st n go from there. My 6 yr old grandson could figure that out!
Boehner's Mantra...
Ha ha ha
Ho ho ho
And a couple of tra la las
That's how we laugh the day away
In the merry old land of Oz
Bzz, bzz, bzz
Chirp, chirp, chirp
And a couple of La di das
That's how the crickets crick all day
In the merry old land of Oz
We get up at twelve and start to work at one
Take an hour for lunch and then at two we're done
Jolly good fun
I fear whatever republican madman will take his place.
CONTRARY to popular opinion, any President no matter who it is can get much done if congress is against him. I for one am so done with Abraham LIncolns beloved republican party. cant help but wonder what he would think of them now
He may get re-elected to the House, but there will be a challenger for the speakership.
Good bye to bad rubbish