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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2008 > September > 30 > Entry
Is John Boehner in trouble?
Over at Politico.com, they have a long story looking at how much damage was done to House minority leader John Boehner, R-West Chester, after two-thirds of Republicans rejected his call for support for the Wall Street bailout bill. Boehner passionately urged his caucus to vote for the bill, calling on them to think of the country and saying these were the tough votes they were sent to Washington to make.
Following the stunning defeat of the bill, some are asking whether Boehner can retain his leadership position and restore credibility with his troops.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: National politics
Comments
By Mike
September 30, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
I certainly think it is a fair question to ask if there is anyone actually leading the Republican Party anymore. For a caucus who had no trouble keeping in perfect lockstep during the heady days of the “Bush Swagger”, they now seem like nothing more than a group of petty, squabbling babies. After the public whining yesterday by Boehner, Cantor and Blount is it any wonder that the GOP is tanking?…..”Ooohhh, Big Bad Nancy said some mean things about Bush. Now we can’t vote for this bailout!”…..It isn’t just Boehner who has lost credibility, it is the entire GOP brand which is now swirling in the crapper. Two words describe the GOP right now—-EPIC FAILURE.By Jim
September 30, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
I hope so.By VietVet
September 30, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
I certainly hope so. From the time Boehner was a West Chester trustee, he has done little to nothing for southwest Ohio. His claim to fame was to stand behind Bush when the failed “No Child Left Behind” bill was signed at Hamilton High School. Other than that, I can think of nothing that the man has accomplished in the years since West Chester. He announces town meetings, but schedules them during the day when everyone is working. Never in the evenings and he sends members of his staff and never makes an appearance himself. Incredibly, the people of southwest Ohio keep re-electing this clown and they keep sending him to Washington to do what? He is a business owner, is pro corporation, pro big money and anti- worker rights.He does not care about the working people of this state.Good riddance!By kurt
September 30, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
John Boehner has NEVER represented the working taxpayer.He’s a mannequin for George Bush [who’s ALSO a mannequin]I hope a lot of these charlatans go down with the banks—NO BAILOUT !!!!By PIB
September 30, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
I am a Republican, and I think Boehner needs to go. He represents the rich snobs in Weatherington and ignores the common folk. He made his bed with W, now he can lie in it. Once again, its the ignorant voters who keep this guy in office. Butler County needs a serious housecleaning. After Boehner- Ryan, Combs, cates, Jolivette, etc.By mwm
September 30, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
It would be good for our country if this little crybaby piece of garbage went home to West Chester for good. He has only served the interest of Bush and the republicans and has ignored the people of Ohio. Perhaps he could get a job at Ikea, as a greeter. It would match his skill set. No offense to Ikea.By william ayers
September 30, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
No he is not in trouble. He is doing a great job.By nullDon Johnson
October 1, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this
very dissapointed in John Boehners in-decision and becoming a me-tooer in D.C, We need a standup guy..By Rocky
October 1, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this
I am so sick of liberal Democrats (Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, Frank, et.al.) and their bedpartners (the main-stream media) always spinning the truth (i.e. lying) and the media choosing what facts to report and what facts to cover-up. Pelosi promised a more civil, bipartisan congress two years ago. She doesn’t sound too civil or interested in bipartisan now, except for the fact she doesn’t want to be held responsible for whatever happens. She wants to be able to blame those evil Republicans for all the ills in the world. And CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, and DDN are right in lock-step with her. Obama talks about uniting the country. What is he doing to even unite his own party? Nothing. Ready to lead, huh? This financial mess we’re in was identified three years ago by the “evil Republicans,” and the Democratic leadership would hear none of it while they were counting their money kicked back to them by Fannie and Freddie. It’s the liberals who got us into this mess, and we won’t get out of this mess unless we have a conservative solution, but you can be sure the media will continue to condemn the Republicans, praise the Democrats, and ignore the facts.By Mary
October 1, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
This highly partisan discussion and the link are symptomatic of the problem. The link is providing votes/scores on the bailout and the personalities, but no enlightenment on the details of the deal. The blog discussion implies we are choosing a team and watching a game - not participating in a democracy. As they say “sports builds leadership” - hah. We need brains and cooperation to avoid these pitfalls in the first place. As the book “The Chalice and the Blade” points out, cultures tend to thrive when cooperation takes a front seat to competition and choosing sides. I have always been suspicious of Boehner with his tan, country club demeanor, and never a hair out of place. Did I just say that? See what a cosmetic superficial culture we are. “Small minds talk about people, big minds discuss ideas.”