Boehner is in a corner

[ProSense]

From the moment the 112th Congress convened, Boehner has been throwing bones to his teabagger masters.

Steve Benen (Feb. 23):

<...>

But the larger problem here is with Boehner's office lacking any and all self-awareness. This Speaker, after all, leads a House Republican caucus that has spent its first seven weeks tackling multiple abortion bills, health care, private-school vouchers, Planned Parenthood, a resolution to promote the phrase "In God We Trust," and even a measure tackling marriage rights in the District of Columbia.

<...>

How did all of that improve Boehner's standing with the nuts?

Tea Party leader: Boehner looks 'like a fool,' should be defeated in a primary (Mar. 2)

The "culture war" label is apt, but the negotiations aren't solely about Planned Parenthood (or even the EPA). There is the added bonus of impeding the recovery.

Boehner has no choice, he has to go all out or be considered a sellout. Republicans don't care about shutting down the government because it will please the teabaggers and impede the recovery. That's all this is about.

But what can Boehner do? Can he deliver?

Yesterday the House passed another stopgap bill, another "see-we-can-do-it" bone to the teabaggers, another bill that's going absolutely nowhere.

To quote Rep. Waxman on another bill passed, it has "no chance of becoming law and was merely a time-consuming distraction."







Edited for clarification.

[CountAllVotes]

1. Boner has been throwing bones

No doubt about that! *woof* *woof* :P

[MiniMe]

2. He is in a round room looking for a corner

And can't find one

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I'm hoping he fails.

This whole business is a very cynical mess.

Trying to shut down the government in order to derail the fragile recovery.........so they can blame it on Obama.

I am disgusted.

[PATRICK]

5. If they didn't have

such an overwhelming grip on the general MSM talking points they wouldn't even think of trying this. They can almost elect any ham sandwich or pass any outrage- or can try with few consequences and real chances- because of this pillar of disinformation and corporate interest. Also they know the Democrats mostly back the corporate interests in a fundamental way.

Behind the scenes they quaver at the real world political consequences of their bluster, but the party discipline of both parties is determined in a basic way by the ideology and interests of certain big businesses. The voting public comes second. So too, sane alternatives.

[gateley]

7. They are masters at it -- why can't we learn and do the same? Is there not a

Liberal Frank Luntz somewhere out there?

[PATRICK]

8. Don't need much mastery

when by and large they go with weak advisers, take advice FROM the GOP talking heads and MSM. The Dems usually look intelligent and superior head to head with the goons but that whole world of talk should not have parity between sensible Dems and villains, spun somehow or other toward the crazy right.

The GOP doesn't have to be smart, competent, original or attractive, just arrogant and daring. Their tightrope is a mile wide and an inch high. The Dems are on a trip wire a thousand feet up without a net and the news show still idolizes the GOP parrot line braggadocio.

[emulatorloo]

9. You've nailed it regarding the news shows

Republicans are given ---endless time--- to regurgitate their talking points, they are never asked a hard question.

Democrats get asked questions based on Republican talking points, Then mid answer the "newsperson" says, Oh Sorry We Are Out Of TIme.

[Lynx]

4. Boner can take those tea bags

And ram them up his orange ass.

[Ian David]

6. Nobody puts Boehner in a corner...

[thereismore]

10. I think we should put "In God We Trust" on the beltbuckles of our troops too.

There was another Christian nation that did it. Only it said "God With Us" (Gott mit Uns).

[tanyev]

11. I guess I'd cry too if I were cornered by a pack of crazed, rabid animals.

[Logical]

12. LOL! Good one!