Behind Boehner’s benediction
Chris Stirewalt
By Chris StirewaltPublished September 25, 2015FoxNews.com
BEHIND BOEHNER’S BENEDICTION
It says somewhere that “no greater love hath a man than to lay down his speakership for his party…” or something like that.
House Speaker John Boehner had one way left to keep his rivals off base, and this morning he deployed it.
Boehner had intimated to a close circle of advisers and friends that the end was near for his tumultuous tenure and crafted a plan, but he still managed to stun House Republicans this morning when he announced his decision to step down at the end of October.
The act will allow Boehner to shove through short-term spending measures to get to the end of the year and the chance to craft a budget (or reasonable facsimile) that will carry the government through the 2016 election year.
Boehner aides told Fox News that Boehner had planned his departure through the end of 2014, but the stunning primary defeat of former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor closed the door on that plan. Since then, it’s been about finding the right exit ramp.
One member who was in the meeting with Boehner described the scene as “totally jaw-dropping” and that the caucus is in “chaos” trying to sort out what happens next. Good question.
The most likely scenario seems to be Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy stepping out as frontrunner whenever elections are held. But it will surely not be easy for the Californian. The winner will need the support of every Republican except 15 or so, and McCarthy will have a hard time, at least at first, getting to the necessary 218 votes.
There will be pressure on other leadership rivals, including Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan to consider joining the fray. Ryan already said today that hes not interested today, but if McCarthy can’t get the ball over the goal line, a backup QB will be required.
On the side of the stampede that pushed Boehner out there is considerably less clarity. Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan would appear to be the frontrunner, but keeping order among revolutionaries has been tough stuff since before the Bastille.
As far as next steps on the fiscal-year-end cliff five days from now, it will depend on how well slaked is the bloodlust in the renegade caucus. If Boehner’s departure is enough to satisfy the group’s outrage, the outgoing speaker and his team will have more latitude to get a deal done quickly and to greater advantage. If the rebels are emboldened but unsatisfied, Republicans face the possibility of a fiscal plan written entirely by Democrats and ushered to the floor by a defeated Boehner.
Some have suggested that Boehner was moved to a sudden resignation by Pope Francis’ announcements about unity in Congress. That’s far from the case, according to two longtime Boehner confidants.
This plan, or something like it, had been in place since at least the beginning of this week if not sooner. The timing of the announcement, however, was dictated by the papal visit.
Who knew what a tremendous benediction devoted Roman Catholic Boehner was receiving?
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