The big challenge facing Republican Leaders as we dialogue with our stakeholders (activists, donors, party members) is making the credible case that if we reachieve a majority on Capitol Hill, will we do things differently. Will we shrink instead of grow the size and scope of the federal government?
Well, the ability to make that case was dealt a major blow this morning as House Republicans re-elected the same Republican Leader who had his post soft-balled to him by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert. That’s right, Boehner’s re-election means that House Republicans maintain their status-quo — all of the Ranking Members on Committee stay put, and so on.
It’s hard to make the case that Republicans have learned their lesson when they aren’t willing to bench the failed leader.
Obviously we want Republicans to succeed — but to keep in as leader the guy who literally enforced ZERO party discipline and literally does nothing to take on the GOP Porkers on the House Appropriations Committee… Well, it certainly doesn’t make this State Party Officer feel comfortable.
I ask myself, "Would I want John Boehner to be Speaker?"
The answer is NO.
But yet that is what I am tasked to work towards? Someone needs to help me understand the logic here.
In the meantime, I am pleased that Mike Pence will be in the #3 spot. Others tell me I should be excited about Eric Cantor moving from the #3 to the #2 spot, though I think Cantor along with Boehner should have followed the lead of Putnam and Blunt, and stepped aside. That was the right thing to do.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Not the way to put a new “face” on the Republican Party. We need new leadership in the House, and Boehner isn’t it.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:00 am
This does not bode well for 2010.
The chance of a permanent Dem majority has just gone way up.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Does anybody else get excited when Mike Pence gets announced for a leadership role, only to be let down a second later when you realize they said “Pence” and not “Spence”!