By all reports, there are enough Republican members of the House of Representatives ready to vote for a clean Continuing Resolution so that with the support of the Democratic members, such a raise would have no trouble passing. But John Boehner is clearly fearful that if he allows such a bill to come to the floor of the House, he will lose his Speakership. Now, the position of Speaker of the House is not a party office, like Senate Majority Leader. It is a Constitutional office, voted on by all members of the House. To be elected Speaker, one needs an absolute majority of all votes cast, not counting abstentions by those voting "present." In return for bringing a clean CR to the floor, the Democrats could make a deal with Boehner to abstain, or alternatively throw enough votes his way, to guarantee his reelection as Speaker. Hell, they could even make a deal not to challenge him for reelection in his District. They could make the same deal for a raising of the debt limit.
Just a thought.
John Boehner is clearly fearful that if he allows such a bill to come to the floor of the House, he will lose his Speakership.
ReplyDeleteIt seems likely to be part of the issue. But if he kept it only w/ the help of the Democrats, would he not likely loose his spot in congress all together? What really seems curious to me, though, is why he should care so much about it at all. It's very hard for me to see it as anything other than narcissim. It's not at if he could not get a job if he was out of congress- probably one that paid more than being in congress. I suppose he enjoys the power, but for most politicians (and many other top people) I can't help but think that without a huge dose of narcissim, without thinking that they, their very own selves are extremely important to the world, they wouldn't do what they do. It's just unfortunately that so much of what they do is bad.