In anticipation of Pope Francis’ arrival Thursday morning, Caleb Smith, the 29-year-old digital communications director for House Speaker John Boehner, will spend Wednesday night on a couch in his office at the Capitol. But his job is so thankless that no real rival has emerged to succeed him.
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And that has lawmakers wondering more than ever if Boehner’s days as Speaker are numbered.
In an interview with Politico Sunday, Boehner sidestepped repeated criticisms from members of the House Freedom Caucus that his leadership has undercut a conservative agenda.
But at least there’s this: His job might be so thankless, no one else wants to do it.
Michael Ashcroft, a wealthy businessman who donated millions to the party before falling out with Cameron, has co-written “Call Me Dave”, an unauthorized biography that includes allegations of undergraduate drug-taking and juvenile sexual escapades. And many Democrats suspect she’d be willing to extend an olive branch to Boehner in exchange for concessions from the Ohio Republican.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy has been named as a possible successor to Boehner, as have Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), House Republican Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA) and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI).
As the Speaker of the House, you have the power to change the legislative calendar.
“We haven’t had real leadership over the last several years”, Amash said.
The lack of an obvious successor hasn’t stopped many hard-liners from openly contemplating Boehner’s departure.
Still, as Mr. Boehner himself undoubtedly realizes, the ultras in his caucus are not only acting contrary to the national interest, but they are also acting contrary to the Republican Party’s own long-term political interest.
The paper reports that some of the chamber’s more conservative members are threatening a potential government shutdown, in part related to the controversy over whether to continue funding Planned Parenthood, as the backdrop for the takeover.
The would-be insurrectionists have made an impression.
“They haven’t really thought through the process of, what does the replacement look like?” Boehner said. “You can teach yourself to do anything, especially if you’re committed to a cause”. Dan Webster, R-Fla., and Ted Yoho, R-Fla., challenging him.
Yoho is also continuing to oppose Boehner though he has not launched another challenge to the speaker.
“You don’t know that you’re going to get anybody better”, Flores said.
“Garbage men get used to the smell of bad garbage”.
As Representatives, each of us has an obligation to the American people-the working families, seniors, veterans and others we have the privilege of serving.
“They could be the next one fragged”, Dent said.
Dent, a moderate, said he saw little chance a serious challenger to Boehner would emerge in the near future.
“The speaker isn’t going anywhere”, said Emily Schillinger, a Boehner spokeswoman. Rep. Mark Meadows, a conservative North Carolina Republican, offered a resolution before the August recess to “vacate the chair”, a rarely invoked move that could threaten Boehner’s speakership.
This time around some would like to see Boehner ignore the rebels and go straight to Democrats to make a deal.
“As long as that thing is hanging out in the ether, I think it’s a problem”, Dent said.
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If the members of Congress do not reach a consensus regarding the budget by September 30, the government will face numerous same issues from the shutdown in 2013.
