In November, Republicans made Santa’s “nice” list and were rewarded with a wave election, relegating Democrats to minority status in the House, Senate and state legislatures. Unfortunately, the Republican leadership in the House failed to get the message. They don’t seem to realize that they were elected for the primary reason to stop Obama’s power grabs. They were not elected because they had a superior message, just to clip Obama’s wings.
The question is why Boehner capitulates to everything Obama wants. Is it because Boehner agrees with Obama’s aims? Perhaps he thinks there’s some political disadvantage to opposing the president or is it that Obama has some dirt that could threaten Boehner’s position?
Teaparty.org listed his “accomplishments.” Boehner has voted against what his Republican constituency supported. He blocked Wall Street reform…benefits for homeless veterans…the Fair Pay Act of 2009…the veterans jobs bill…the small business jobs act…political ad disclosure…health care for 9-11 responders and many other key pieces of legislation.
Quite a list, isn’t it.
Prior to the next congress, Boehner could have, safely, opposed Obama’s power plays, knowing that Reid would never let them come to fruition. Still, Boehner gave in to Obama’s power grabs. He needs to understand that the Republican grass roots have a short sense of tolerance for betrayal. He has one more chance, when the Department of Homeland Security’s funding is renewed in February. If he caves again, he can kiss his career goodbye and, along with it, possibly, the Republican Party’s chances in 2016.
In my many years I have come to a
conclusion that one useless man
is a shame, two is a law firm,
and three or more is a congress.
— John Adams
Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25023895@N02/6556810377
