I have one word for all this…Meh. Yup, that’s it. I’m still in my ‘lukewarm‘ funk, so I’m glad someone else is writing about this, since I don’t have the energy. My friends Michael, Becca and Smitty have their take on it here and here and here. I’m still hearing mixed reviews on Twitter. Some folks are completely outraged that Boehner kept his seat, others feel like ok, it’s done, #unite now instead of further fracturing our party. What do you all think?
(Human Events) House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) was reelected on a 220 to 192 vote by his colleagues Thursday despite last minute grumblings that opposition from within his own party would derail the embattled politician as retribution for his leadership on controversial issues including the recent fiscal cliff deal.
Rumors spread by a fledgling conservative group, on social network sites and talk radio claimed Boehner would be deposed. However, only nine Republicans voted for someone other than Boehner – 16 Republican votes were needed to block his reelection.
Democrats nominated House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to oppose Boehner for the speaker’s chair. She received 192 votes from Democrats.
Boehner ran unopposed within his own party, contrary to speculation that House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) might challenge him for the position. Just prior to the vote, Cantor told CNN that Boehner would “absolutely” be reelected. Cantor voted against the fiscal cliff deal, which raised taxes on a majority of Americans, but he voted for Boehner for speaker.
However, Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.) told Human Events after the vote that “arm twisting” on Boehner’s behalf was “very intense” with threats that Republicans would lose plum committee assignments or campaign donations from the National Republican Congressional Committee if they opposed the speaker’s reelection.
Read the whole thing….
