Will Boehner's Latest Cave Cost him Speakership?

I must admit, I haven't followed the payroll tax extension showdown much at all for one reason. These 'showdowns' always end the same and I literally had no interest in watching the pseudo-drama unfold because it always ends up with Republicans folding. Usually, however, it's done in such a way that Republicans are allowed to save a modicum of face.

It appears that the folding of the Boehner-led House happened once again (go figure) but with one exception. There was no face saved. In fact, we may be seeing exactly why Boehner's face is so often covered with tears.

At issue was the fact that the Democrats wanted a two month payroll tax cut extension and The Republican-led House wanted a full year. Boehner announced that his deal with Reid involved a two month extension.

Here is the statement released by Boehner announcing his deal with cave to Reid, sprinkled with a sufficient amount of sugar coating:

“Senator Reid and I have reached an agreement that will ensure taxes do not increase for working families on January 1 while ensuring that a complex new reporting burden is not unintentionally imposed on small business job creators.  Under the terms of our agreement, a new bill will be approved by the House that reflects the bipartisan agreement in the Senate along with new language that allows job creators to process and withhold payroll taxation under the same accounting structure that is currently in place.  The Senate will join the House in immediately appointing conferees, with instructions to reach agreement in the weeks ahead on a full-year payroll tax extension.  We will ask the House and Senate to approve this agreement by unanimous consent before Christmas.  I thank our Members – particularly those who have remained here in the Capitol with the holidays approaching – for their efforts to enact a full-year extension of the payroll tax cut for working families.”

Incidentally, Obama congratulated Congress on this deal, which is something Boehner can't like. If you listen carefully, you can hear some sniffles as he announces the deal cave:

Via Breitbart:



Fox's Chad Pegram was apparently on a GOP conference call and relayed an interesting message via twitter:

One GOP member on the GOP conference call on the deal by Boehner: "He may have a hard time keeping his Speakership after this."

The only real question that needs to be asked is: If Boehner loses his Speakership, will he cry?

Please, let's find out.

h/t PHP via Fox Nation

Here is an audio exchange between Hugh Hewitt and Mark Steyn over Boehner's lack of effectiveness. Good points here. Steyn's likening Boehner to a 'parade General' is the perfect analogy.



This cave on the part of Boehner was so humiliating that he'd have been better off not even getting behind the wheel to play chicken.

h/t Breitbart