Did Republicans Wimp Out by Electing Boehner?

  • by:
  • 03/02/2023

When word came yesterday that John Boehner defeated Roy Blunt to become Majority Leader, most conservative bloggers were quick to jump on the Boehner bandwagon.

As usual, I see things a little differently. Frankly, I’m under-whelmed.

Aside from moving the party decidedly to the right, a Shadegg victory would have sent a dramatic message to the country - and given Republicans a much-needed image change. Though Americans are traditionally conservative regarding change, it is a general rule that a predecessor will do better if he is strong where you are weak.

Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter were really a response to Nixon. Then, Ronald Reagan was the antithesis to Carter’s weakness. And in the House, Dennis Hastert was the laid-back answer to an aggressive Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Of course, while the American people can demand some stark changes at the ballot box, the selection of a Majority Leader is, by definition, done by those who are out-of-touch with the common man.

Instead of seizing the day, Republicans have opted for a milquetoast compromise.

What is more, while there is no way of knowing whether the Abramoff imbroglio will lead to more scandal, Republicans have missed a golden opportunity to inoculate themselves from the attacks.

But not only does this move seem wrong to me, as a Republican, I think Boehner may look back at this as a pyrrhic victory. Let’s hope I’m wrong.

Image:
ADVERTISEMENT

Opinion

View All

JACK POSOBIEC: The government goes after MAGA and Trump while pedophilia in Hollywood is 'perfectly fine'

"Why would Nickelodeon employ people who had been already convicted of child sex abuse?"...

UK medical body claims preventing teachers from 'affirming' child sex change will 'cause distress' to students

The medical body told the UK Department of Education it does not think parents should always know if ...

Evan Gershkovich's detention in Russia extended over espionage allegations

The US ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, maintained that "the accusations against Evan are categoric...

Women workers at greater risk of being replaced by AI: study

7.9 million jobs would be lost in the "worst-case scenario."...