Boehner's Words for the Day: "Fuck it"

From Politico, the whole story (literally, as of 9:32 am Eastern):

Speaker John Boehner announced to House Republicans that he is retiring from Congress at the end of October, according to multiple sources in a closed party meeting.

The extremists finally wore him down, they finally got him.

Perhaps the pope's message got him as well: hanging with violently polarizing buffoons just isn't worth it. Seek peace — in a multimillion-dollar Florida condo.

Now that's not so hard, is it? 

Let us move along. Let us now pray for a Gohmert boomlet.

***

I should think Boehner is now free to attempt the ramming of a Planned Parenthood-funded budget through the House, with of course the assistance of Democrats, with whom he can also negotiate a successor. The latter would be part of the deal.

Time to think on this, Steny. I'd much prefer allowing Republicans to destroy themselves, but Democrats usually bail them out.   

***

Politico now adds to its story: "Boehner came into power on the momentum of the 2010 tea party wave, but it was that movement that gave him the most problems."

For more on this, see earlier post here.

Politico also confirms a portion of the above speculation: "Now that he doesn't have internal political considerations to weigh, Boehner is certain to push through a government-funding bill next week that funds Planned Parenthood, and keeps the government open." What it doesn't confirm is successorship-linkage. But that, it seems to me, is too much leverage for Boehner to squander; and, as noted, Democrats always seem willing to help. 

 

Comments

[Anne J]

I hope Louie Gomhert or Steve King or maybe some other wildly radical buffoon gets the job as speaker. The republicans need someone who represents who they have become in that position.

[tamiasmin]

I read yesterday that one does not need to be an actual House member to be the Speaker. So maybe Ted Cruz would like the job. He already spends a lot of time with his friends in that body.

[The Raven]

Or perhaps he is being blackmailed. It seems likely enough.

Is this a victory for the crazy-crazy Republicans or just the crazy Republicans? And what next? Surely nothing good. Joan McCarter over at Kos has a few informed speculations: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/25/1424857/-John-Boehner-is-history-so-what-happens-now

[Bob]

If the Speaker doesn't have to be a house member there's an opportunity for the leadership to get Trump out of the presidential race here.