House Minority Leader John Boehner fought back tears on Tuesday as he recalled how he began a political career two decades ago that now has him on the brink of becoming the speaker of the US House of Representatives. Often ridiculed by comedians for his “orange” tan and criticized by opponents for being beholden to big business, Boehner is prone to tears at big moments, but reportedly unhappy with himself about it.
So perhaps it was no surprise the ordinarily cool customer almost let his emotions overcome him as he contemplated taking on one of the most powerful jobs in US politics.
“I started out mopping floors, waiting tables and tending bar at my dad’s tavern,” Boehner told a victory gathering after his -Republican Party won control of the House from US President President Barack Obama’s Democrats.
PHOTO: EPA
“I poured my heart and soul into a small business,” he added, speaking haltingly with his chin quivering. “And when I saw how out-of-touch Washington had become ... I put my name forward and ran for office.”
Boehner — first elected to the House in 1990 and the chamber’s Republican leader since 2007 — is in line to become the chamber’s speaker when the new Congress convenes in January. The job would put Boehner second in the line of succession to the US presidency, behind only the vice president, and position him to slam the brakes on Obama’s liberal agenda.
That would be fine with Wall Street, which contributes -heavily to Boehner and opposes many Obama measures, including a tightening of financial regulations that Boehner aims to repeal, or at least chip away at.
“The Street is starved for someone with real life experience in Washington and John Boehner fits it to the ‘T,’” said Chris Krueger of Capital Concept, a private firm that tracks Washington for institutional investors.
Another congressional analyst, Dan Ripp of Bradley Woods and Co in New York, said: “While Boehner is OK, he isn’t particularly inspiring.”
To be sure, Boehner isn’t a gifted or charismatic speaker.
However, he is a skilled legislator and a tough politician.
He quickly climbed the leadership ladder after joining the House. He slipped off during a 1998 power struggle, but rebounded and moved up again.
Boehner has been singled out by Obama in campaign speeches as the face of Republican obstructionism.
He got members of his party to stick together against Obama measures that were rammed through the Democratic-led House in the past two years, including a historic healthcare overhaul and an US$814 billion economic stimulus plan.
Obama portrays Boehner as too cozy with big business and a backer of policies that drove the US economy into recession under former US president George W. Bush.
However, Boehner has fired back by accusing Obama of pushing failed fiscal policies that have contributed to a stubbornly high US jobless rate of 9.6 percent.
Boehner reached out to the “Tea Party” movement, a loose coalition of groups nationwide that has energized Republicans even while being critical of both parties for what they see as too much government.
Chris Littleton, a Tea Party leader in Boehner’s Ohio congressional district, said he first met with the Republican leader last year and blasted him and other Republicans for big spending and federal intrusion during the Bush administration.
“We hit him pretty hard,” Littleton recalled. “He admitted mistakes. He said, ‘We lost our way.’ He’s right. They did.”
It remains to be seen where Obama and Boehner will come together, if at all, but showdowns over spending are certain.
Boehner said he plans to do everything he can, “I mean everything,” to repeal Obama’s healthcare reform, a top Tea Party target.
However, they might be ready to talk on other matters — like long-stalled free-trade agreements, measures to rebuild roads and legislation to renew a major education bill that Boehner helped pass in 2001 with bipartisan support.
Boehner received a congratulatory call from Obama after Tuesday’s election.
A Republican aide said: “They discussed working together to focus on the top priorities of the American people, which Boehner has identified as creating jobs and cutting spending.”
“That’s what they expect,” the aide quoted Boehner as telling the president.
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