Conference Call with Congressman Boehner
By krempasky Posted in Republicans — Comments (10) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Just finished up a conference call with Representative John Boehner, another contestant in the race to be Majority Leader of the House.
Let me start: I like John Boehner. I have always thought him one of the most capable Republicans in the country when it comes to taking the message to the airwaves. He's engaging and pleasant. And despite his glad handing with K streets - his long standing and demonstrated committment to refusing pork for his district cannot be ignored. It ought to be shouted from the rooftops. Combining that stance with his detailed plan to change procedures in the House is worthy of a lot of praise.
But...the circle I cannot square is the Congressman's explanation of his vote for the budget-busting Medicare Prescription Drug bill. Congressman Boehner *did* admit that it was a tough vote - but then he tried to sping the program as one in which "market forces" were reforming Medicare. Um, no. The "market forces" I presume he's referring to simply don't even go into effect until 2010 - and even then they only exist in a handful of test markets.
Perhaps most strange was the Congressman's response to a question regarding specific policy proposals to shrink government. His answer? Something along the lines of, we all have to unite. Huh? That's how we get Medicare.
Finally, I posed the completely unfair question of, "if you're not to be Majority Leader - who do you like, Blunt or Shadegg?" Especially considering that when it comes to reform in the House - there doesn't seem to be too much difference between Boehner and Shadegg. Boehner admitted that when it came to the central issue in the this contest, there's "not a lot of daylight between us." He also pointed to the very complimentary statement he released the day that Shadegg got into the race.
But in my mind, Boehner remains a strong second in the contest.
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Conference Call with Congressman Boehner 10 Comments (0 topical, 10 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
I just listened to the audio and I think that's a fair criticism re: his answer to the shrinking government question. But in the plan he's released, and in multiple places I've seen him quoted this last week, the thrust of his message is that the government is too big -- and the place to start in shrinking it is budget reform. He's said he supports zero-based budgeting. He has a plan for earmark reform. He has a plan for reforming the Congressional Budget Act. He's on board with reforming Social Security, et. al. I think that these are as realistic as any proposals for actually beginning to shrink the size of government.
but whenever I see him I wonder whether or not I should by a used car. He is likeable, smart, talented, and conservative, might make a good whip, but not the guy you want representing the party on television, IMO. Furthermore, he isn't going to provide the substantive changes that are needed because it is in his best interest to keep things the way they are.
...his leadership post, since he has it all sewn up... Yeah, right. When are the Redstate editors going to call for this? I find the fact that he can use the whip post to retaliate against those who voted against him, if he loses, a bit alarming. Not what we need in leadership if Boehner, or god willing John Shadegg, pull it off.
"I find the fact that he can use the whip post to retaliate against those who voted against him, if he loses, a bit alarming."
are you kidding me? give me a break...
that is completely fabricated garbage.
disagree w folks on policy. disagree on ideology.
but divining reasons why others are "bad" is total junk.
if he loses, boehner COULD retaliate against members of his ed committee that dont publicly support him...
will Boehner? Nope.
come one.
but it is a reality that Shadegg put some light on this morning, and I agree. Furthermore, the whip position is ideal for someone who were going to do such a thing, where Boehner's position isn't. The point is not event that Blunt would actually retaliate, but rather that he has the opportunity which chould change some members minds, a problem that wouldn't exist if he would resign. Besides, according to him it doesn't matter, because he has won. I, generally, think Shadegg's approach of resigning his position before he ran was the right way to go about it.
It's not absurd to ask Blunt to give up one leadership post to run for another leadership post. It certanly doesn't speak to well of his own personal thoughts on his chances of victory.
Remember when Bob Dole retired from the Senate to run for President? That was the right thing to do.
As for Boehner, he's already term limited. His chairmanship (if I recall correctly) ends at the end of this Congress, so his power base ends as well. And there's not anawful lot of major legislation left for his committee, pension reform and higher education were done last session (or are being done with the budget resolution), so it's not a bastion of power that the Whip would be in after the elections.
What's wrong with Cantor or Tiahrt? Why won't Blunt step down?
Boehner is term limited so he shouldnt step down...
to use your logic, Blunt is term limited too. aka the conference has to elect him to another term as whip with a vote at the end of this session.
the argument that there is going to be some crazy retribution scheme is just so convaluted and off mark.
can't we do a bit better here?
He has the experience to rally the troops in the house and does well on TV. He is true blue Gingrich man. And he has no pork taint or any ethics problems.
Shadegg is too green.
I can live with Boehner, but I still prefer Shadegg.