The nine GOP congressmen trying to topple House Speaker John Boehner are reminding weary American voters that Republicans remain divided in Washington.
Explain how this helps them win the White House in 2016?
Today, the first day of the 114th Congress, representatives will vote on the next speaker. A small number of Republicans have announced they won’t vote for Boehner. It’s really just a symbolic vote against him because he has the support and votes to enjoy a third term as speaker.
A total of 29 Republicans would need to oppose him to eliminate a majority. He needs 218 of the 246 Republicans to support him.
Boehner already won the support of the conference back in November when lawmakers cast ballots for House speaker and other GOP leadership positions.
It’s a bit late to launch a campaign to dethrone him. Yet, several conservatives can’t help but further divide the party like U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) and U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas). They have both so humbly offered to take the job off Boehner’s hands.
Congressman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) has been quoted saying he can’t “stand beside the same leadership that has offered up bills too large to read, used parliamentary tricks to bring bills to the floor and has refused to take swift action against the president and his administration’s unconstitutional actions.”
This is supposed to be the year where Republicans show the American public that they are the party to fix America’s problems and restore some confidence in Washington. They are supposed to prove that Washington can work.
But instead we get U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) writing op-eds stating, “I am convinced Congress will not be allowed to restore its constitutional authority under his Speakership and by refusing to do so, cannot call upon the courts to do so. … How, then, can I take an oath to the Constitution and put up a vote for John Boehner, almost in the same breath?”
Despite a huge victory over Democrats in November, the party remains incredibly divided when it should be celebrating together and scheming for another victory in the 2016 presidential election. This majority in the House and Senate will be short-lived if the party doesn’t figure out a way to present a united front.
These ungrateful Republicans should be high-fiving Boehner for raising tens of millions of dollars for candidates during the midterm elections. A little cooperation can go a long way.
Jaclyn Cashman is co-host of “Morning Meeting” on Boston Herald Radio. Follow her on Twitter @JaclynCashman.
Copyright © 2024 Jaclyn Cashman.
