Boehner Will Resign from Congress

[Gothmog]

Source: New York Times

WASHINGTON — Speaker John A. Boehner will resign from Congress and give up his House seat at the end of October, according to aides in his office.

Speaker John A. Boehner in Washington on Thursday. He is under pressure to stand up to the president on Planned Parenthood.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/26/us/boehner-will-resign-from-congress.html?smid=tw-bna&_r=0

[Gothmog]

1. The shutdown is getting to boehner

This will be fun to watch but it appears that this may increase the chances of a shutdown

[Le Taz Hot]

27. As a federal employee

with a husband who has no contracts this year I can't begin to tell you how my stomach just turned. The last 3-week-long shutdown my back pay was $12.00.

[UCmeNdc]

57. I feel for you

These house Republicans are going to push for a shutdown. Boehner can see the writing on the wall, but he has lost control. The Republicans in the house just gave out a standing ovation at the announcement of Boehner's retirement plans.

[Delphinus]

89. No,

seriously??!!

[still_one]

75. This is what some folks forget when their initial response is "it is good, that Boehner is resigning".

The reality is the most likely replacement will be Kevin McCarthy, and here is where McCarthy stands on the issues:

http://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Kevin_McCarthy.htm

Not only will a probable shut down hurt a lot of folks, if it goes on and the government defaults then the whole economy can be derailed.

For those that think the republicans can't be worse, I suggest it can get a lot worse.

All the best to you and your family. I hope there is no shut down.

[RoccoR5955]

91. I was wondering that too.

They could get a rabid teabagger as their speaker. Ugh. Just when you thought it couldn't get worse.

[Keep-Left]

142. I hope there is a shutdown

I hope they run us into the ground and come 2016 Dems can win back both houses! Then Sanders or Hillary can get some stuff done for the people

[Turbineguy]

144. Gerrymandering will prevent that.

The GOP will be screwing things up for a while.

[randys1]

151. Indeed, and when your agenda is to destroy the country and government, well... ...

[Major Hogwash]

169. Not zo fast, not zo fast. I don't zink zo. Der plan ish not vitout flass.

Big flass, hughe flass.
Flass zo big dat der pepple vill rize up und take out der Republicuns az a rezult.

Ve haff vays uf makking dem vallk.

[questionseverything]

145. yes i think many will remember this day as

be careful what you wish for....

at least he was decent enough to have feelings

[Gothmog]

137. There may be a chance that Boehner will push a clean funding bill through

If Boehner puts a clean funding bill through while he is still in office, a shutdown will be averted for a time. The Democrats will be holding all of the cards because Boehner will need Democratic votes to pass such a bill. Boehner's resignation could make a shutdown less likely. If so, Boehner needs to include an increase in the debt ceiling in the same bill

McConnell will pass some sort of clean bill next week and maybe we can postpone a shutdown. Surely the House Conservatives are not stupid enough to shut down the government during an election year.

I doubt that Boehner wants a shut down to be one of his last acts in congress.

[Gothmog]

149. Boehner resignation changes the shutdown calculus

Yeah http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/boehner-resignation-changes-the-shutdown-calculus

[Le Taz Hot]

153. Wow!

Thanks for that link! We at least have to December which allows us to eat for the next couple of months. One of the three surveys I conduct was shut down in July so I lost a third of my income with that. The beginning of the new fiscal begins October 1st and I was thinking that we will have worked released that has been backed up for 3 months and I can get some good hours in. Then the threat of the shut-down came and you just want to throw your nearest Republican congresscritter out the nearest window.

[Gothmog]

155. While this may be bad for the party-I am hoping that Boehner crams a full year funding bill through

Boehner's legacy can be some actual governing. It will be to the GOP's benefit to pass a full year budget, a highway bill and debt ceiling increase before Boehner leaves so that the GOP will not be able to shut down the government until after the 2016 election. While a shutdown by the GOP may help the Democrats, I would like to see some actual govenring done and I am happy to put the welfare of the country over the prospects for the party

[SpankMe]

88. Wow...he's leaving Congress.

At first, I thought he was just giving up the speakership. I see that he's actually chucking the whole thing - giving up the speakership AND his seat.

I wonder who Ohio will elect next? Hopefully not a right-wing non-compromiser.

[yardwork]

93. His district is gerrymandered conservative.

Boehner's replacement will probably be worse. He's considered liberal by the people who have taken over the Republican Party.

[DCBob]

2. Wow. The inmates are running the asylum.

This could get interesting... in a bad way.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Holy shit!

Defcon. Maybe that is why he was crying.

[blm]

7. I think he was crying because one part of him agreed with the Pope.

His humanity took over and knew he's been acting fraudulently. I think he could no longer see himself being on the side of the destroyers.


The lunacy of the base of his party helped push him out faster.

[RKP5637]

15. I think there is a side of him that is disgusted with the new modern insane republican

party. I think he's cut out of a different piece of cloth and is conflicted endlessly, now more and more, with what he must deal with.

[kracer20]

34. If that is the case...

I really hope he makes a point of calling out the far right wing for their actions.

[apnu]

40. While that would be fun for us, it would have zero effect on the GOP

Every Republican I know, loathes Boehner. They think he's weak, and have wanted him replaced for a long time now. They think he caves to Obama and they'll see this has caving. They will be encouraged by his resignation, and any statement he has will be soundly ignored as the bitter tears of a loser.

That's the GOP today. They're jerks.

[RKP5637]

49. That's, of course, just my guess. ... but if he does feel that way, I bet he never calls them

out. My hunch is he will fade away. He also looks like he has a drinking problem, will be hard to tell what happens. What bothers me, is who might replace him ... likely will be far worse than he was.

[llmart]

158. My take

I think he's going to dry out in rehab. I don't think it has anything to do with the Pope's speeches and Boehner's conscience. I don't think he has one. Also, the crying is what maudlin drunks do. Let's not pretend he was a decent man just because someone worse might replace him.

[peace13]

59. He was the drum major for that crew of insanity.

Don't fool yourself. He's the kid that shoots his granny and then weeps over how much he will miss her. He has wrecked despair over this country for years and harmed so many. Cry me a river John.

[peace13]

63. I would like to feel compassionate here.

This man has harmed so many for his own personal gain. He helped put the nails in the middle class coffin. John, your work is done here. I am just sorry that our system permits someone like you to stay in power for so long. Open your eyes to what you have done!

[CrispyQ]

154. And the cushy lifetime benefits he will receive on our tab.

I don't even want to know the extent of all of them.

[RKP5637]

120. Yep, quite true. Some smile as they pull the trigger, he weeps. Same! n/t

[Qutzupalotl]

22. I would like to believe that,

because that would mean there was a little spark of humanity under all the lies, obfuscation and wrong ideas.

I guess it's also possible he plans to drink himself to death.

I'm glad he won't be third in line to the presidency — he just doesn't seem stable. My concern is that his replacement could be much worse, like Mr. "David Duke without the baggage." Boehner at least could compromise a little (when he was out of the public eye).

[blm]

30. Remember, Obama was able to make deals w/ Boehner…till the neanderthals

caught wind and forced him to back off the deals struck.

I grew up Catholic in Ohio - 'guilt' is not easy to shake.

[upaloopa]

152. I grew up Catholic in Dayton Ohio. I moved to

California and left the guilt behind.

[blm]

156. heheh….Cleveland suburbs to LA for me.

now in NC

[llmart]

159. Cleveland suburbs for me too.....

Thankfully in a strong union, Democratic area.

I wasn't Catholic so didn't have any guilt to leave behind

[awoke_in_2003]

160. Nah...

he was just drunk as usual.

[wordpix]

8. he finally cracked. Now who will take his place?

Also wondering what's going to come out. Maybe he confessed to the Pope, who suggested he bow out.

[Skittles]

174. someone much, much worse

[alcibiades_mystery]

4. He must be sick

Crazy.

[wordpix]

9. guessing with all his chain smoking and drinking he has health probs

Lung cancer, liver cancer, cirrosis, heart disease, take your pick.

[tavernier]

33. I think verge of breakdown

His nerves are shot.

[napi21]

79. That's what I think too. He's been badgered by the nutballs in his party

for years and I honestly think he believes he can't take it anymore. I'm sure those people were the cause of him drinking more, and more often.

I really do feel sorry for him. He isn't insane like the TBers, and although he tried to work with them, they just beat him up more. I bet he's now saying to himself "Why didn't I do this several years ago?"

I'm really scared of who's going to replace him too! MAYBE if Boehner can ma0manage to get the budget passed without a shutdown, AND get an approval to increase the debt limit before the end of Oct. he can make that the highlight of his speakership. The replacement could also damage the Pub brand so badly that Dems could actually "WIN" in Pub gerrymandered districts and win back control of the House.

[RKP5637]

126. I have a hunch if he were away from that herd he's likely different, maybe. He's IMO an

extremely conflicted person always living in double-bind situations with the herd of assholes he has to deal with.

[AngryOldDem]

148. That's the first thing that came to my mind when I heard him on the radio.

He just didn't sound right.

[MissDeeds]

38. Or maybe rehab?

Rumors of his excessive drinking have been circulating for years.

Or maybe he's just sick of the whole political mess.

[wordpix]

47. maybe all the above. Certainly appears in bad health all over

Baggy eye pouches, red eyes, slow walking, crying at the drop of a hat, orange skin

[tawadi]

69. Ever wonder if

all that self tanner might be to hide his yellowish skin?

[wordpix]

71. more likely gray

[jwirr]

97. And yellow skin in a white person often indicates liver failure.

[wordpix]

182. people who are sick turn gray

Maybe that's it?

[snort]

98. He's a Catholic.

Perhaps it was the Pope's speech. Could he possibly feel shame?

[rocktivity]

166. Yes, I, too am suspicious that it's health related

Mental if not physical.


rockivity

[Sunlei]

5. Met again with the Pope and he resigns.

[mainstreetonce]

42. Did the Pope advise him

To get more out of life?

[Sunlei]

45. He adviced us all to get more out of life

[darkangel218]

106. Maybe he's moving to the Vatican?

Ya never know

[Sunlei]

107. He was the one who invited the Pope to speak to Congress.

[jtuck004]

6. All it took was a visit from the pope? n/t

[RKP5637]

10. I think he's really fed up with how F'ed up and crazy the modern republican party

has become. It's the big tent of extremists, racists, homophobes, religious wackos, anti-gov type, the list is endless. The inmates are taking over the party and I wonder who will replace him. I don't blame him. What sane individual could hold his position today.

[bunnies]

74. This would be my guess as well.

Im shocked that he's resigning though. I actually feel for the guy. He must be totally beat down.

[RKP5637]

125. Yep, he's always looks like a beaten down downtrodden person, now worse than ever. He needs

to find better people to hang out with IMO. That herd is depressing.

[Zorro]

11. Good riddance

He's been a big part of the problem in DC.

[onecaliberal]

124. He's definitely been a problem, but I'm quite sure we haven't seen nothing yet in comparison

to what is ahead. I don't know if McCarthy will be the next pick, but it's going to get VERY ugly.

[greatauntoftriplets]

12. That's a shock!

[Kotya]

13. Will he be checking into rehab?

His alcoholism is well-known.

[Drunken Irishman]

14. Boehner sucked. Whoever replaces him is going to suck much, much, MUCH more.

We're about to have an insane teaparty, Sarah Palin/Michele Bachmann-wing Speaker of House. Buckle up because if you thought Boehner sucked, it's going to get much worse.

[liberal N proud]

17. I fear so

If he can't work with the radicals, his replacement will be one of the radicals.

[wordpix]

19. but...there will be a long protracted fight first

[RKP5637]

20. Yep, my concern too. He still seemed human, these others that might replace him are really

horribly diabolical creatures. They, will make him have seemed a pleasant democrat in comparison.

[wordpix]

50. Rubio appeared giddy when announcing this to Value Voters Conf

[RKP5637]

54. It will likely go from bad to worse! n/t

[wordpix]

66. now Cruz is addressing the group, "Help is on the way!" He's on a huge high

He got rid of Boner. Yay! I'm sure he'd love to be speaker if he weren't a senator.

[Reter]

87. A Speaker can be a Senator, Sanitation worker, or even unimployed

There is no official "House requirement" for the job. So Cruz has hope lol.

[maddiemom]

162. Oh Noooooz!

Are you serious? 'Cause that would explain all the interjecting himself into House business Cruz has been doing. This completely self-promoting and single- mindedly ambitious (Power and Immortality) bozo certainly hasn't been a shining light in getting any legislation done. Making himself ever-better known by throwing monkey-wrenches into the system and promoting himself: what he's all about.
So you mean Donald Trump could just walk in and put himself up for Speaker? It would seem easier if he started there.

[Reter]

163. Yes, but the House always picks one of their own, so no need to worry about Trump or Cruz

Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution states, "The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers." Although the Constitution does not require the Speaker to be a Member of the House, all Speakers have been Members.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaker_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives

[RKP5637]

121. Some things are really fortunate. Yep, if congressman, likely they would vote him in. n/t

[Iceberg Louie]

134. No question the extremists have effectively moved the goalpost

We have come to the point that we mildly mourn the loss of a milquetoast arch-conservate. The latter-day John Birchers of today make Reagan Republicans outright tolerable by comparison.

[Myrina]

16. What are the chances of a Dem taking that spot in the next election?

I don't know from Ohio politics, but it would be especially sweet if a Dem could replace the Cheetoh.

[Qutzupalotl]

28. Pretty remote.

It would take unprecedented turnout to overcome the advantages of gerrymandering the Republicans have given themselves. Still, every member of the House is up for reelection, so it is technically possible.

On edit: I see you meant his House seat rather than the speakership. I don't know if a D can win. His district is pretty conservative.

[Myrina]

128. Thanks for the reply!

[wordpix]

18. news conference "shortly"

[underpants]

37. Oh there are going to be some waterworks

[Botany]

21. The Rude Pundit's last work must have got to him.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027201876

Seriously, Boehner wept so often and so openly that even teething babies were telling him, "Dude, take it down a notch."

[briv1016]

23. Dead girl or live boy?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

24. even worse. A tea party rep.

[wordpix]

46. or runinng car into the pool at west side Capitol

[onehandle]

25. The odds of winning the House back on Hillary's coattails just went up.

Unlikely, but this helps.

She will win back the Senate.

[daleanime]

43. Have to disagree, IF she wins the nomination....

that would take almost all Democratic enthusiasm out of the campaign, bring hardly any new/independent voters in and fire up the opposition.


But we won't be able to see eye to eye on this so have a great day.

[47of74]

26. Good news for America. Bad news for comedy.

Whatever will we do without Saint John of Orange?

[Le Taz Hot]

29. It really isn't.

The government could very possibly shut down by October 1 because of the leadership fight.

[rurallib]

31. agree -

the next speaker will probably be truly crazy and confrontational.

[PoliticAverse]

39. Boehner is freed from the need to placate his caucus now and can do whatever he wants.

A good argument can be made that this lessens the odds of a government shutdown.

[Le Taz Hot]

44. I'm not seeing it.

The blood is in the water and their focus is going to be on the leadership fight. They don't give a shit about shutting down the government. They've been in direct communication with their gawduh and he apparently told him to fuck the working poor (federal employees).

[PoliticAverse]

48. It doesn't matter what the majority of Republicans in the House want. All there needs to be

is 30 republicans who'll vote with Democrats to stop a shutdown. Boehner is now freed from
caring what the majority of the Republicans in the House want.

[Le Taz Hot]

60. I don't know if there are 30 Republicans

with the cajones to buck the soon-to-be Teaklanner leadership. And since Boehner is leaving Congress altogether, I don't see where he would have any real power. That Leadership position is all he has and without it, he's done.

[yardwork]

96. He's leaving by October 1. He's gone.

[PoliticAverse]

101. Every article I've seen on the issue says "end of October". Source for "October 1"? n/t

[yardwork]

115. Sorry. You're right.

[underpants]

32. I'm surprised heis leaving Congress

My wife just texted me this. I was surprised.

[onecent]

35. YIPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

best news i HAVE HEARD IN 8 MONTHS.

[yeoman6987]

157. Be careful

It's going to be worse. Boehner at least played golf with the president. Chances are the next will literally hate the president. Boehner did not hate the president.

[onecent]

173. Thanks for the good advice yeoman6987, and I am sure you are right..BUT DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA

HOW PLEASANT IT WILL BE (IF ONLY TEMPORARILY) TO NOT SEE THAT ORANGE STUPID WEEPING BAWL BABY OF A MAN
EVERY TIME I HAVE TO WATCH THE STATE OF THE UNION.....

I need some relief, lol.....I am 70 I won't have too many more...but let me ask a stupid question then, WHEN A NEW PRESIDENT GETS ELECTED, ISN'T THAT WHEN A NEW PERSON WILL BE ELECTED???? AND HOW PRAY TELL are THEY elected?????

Imean this person is 3rd in line....can't we americans be more careful...
thanks for your note..often I don't want a bunch of really intelligent people hitting me with things i don't understand....

and I don't really understand how he could be worse than Boehner....and if he could be worse, WHY cannot we do something about it?

Have a nice weekend yeoman6987...you don't have to reply to so many dumb questions.....and you were also kind about posting an answer to me. I get very un-kind things sometimes.....
and since i am recuperating from leg angioplasty in both legs, I am not in a very happy mood.

[yeoman6987]

175. Thanks for your reply

I hope you recover very quickly and as painless as possible. You have a great weekend too!

[wordpix]

36. loud applause from Value Voters Conf. when Rubio announced it

[mainstreetonce]

41. So the R's will fight

with each other over this job as the election goes on. Isn't that good news?

[jeff47]

65. No, because a crazy Republican will win that fight.

And then have to go on to show how "tough" he is against Obama in order to keep the crazy behind him.

Which means lots of stunts like Planned Parenthood.

[mainstreetonce]

77. But the fighting about it

is disruptive to the Nomination battle.

[jeff47]

84. And that fight requires proving just how crazy you are.

And hey look! There's a government shutdown looming. Perfect time to show just how crazy you are.

The House in chaos is not helpful.

[TRoN33]

51. Watch out for Lou Gohmert and his teabaggin' friends. They are smelling the blood for the new power.

[Delphinus]

95. And this is what is scary.

[wordpix]

112. Cruz and Rubio were positively giddy at the Value Voters conf

I thought they were going airborne next, they were so high on the Boner resignation

[BeyondGeography]

52. Translation: Fuck this shit

I'm starting to like this guy.

[bucolic_frolic]

53. Boehner Initiated the Papal Visit

Not exactly a coronation of GOP ideas in the end.

http://www.speaker.gov/press-release/speaker-boehner-invites-pope-francis-address-joint-meeting-congress


http://www.dispatch.com/content/blogs/the-daily-briefing/2015/09/9-23-2015-boehner-invites-childhood-friend-gingriches-to-see-the-pope.html

[BumRushDaShow]

92. More accurately, he piggy-backed on something already initiated

2 years ago - the World Meeting of Families conference here in Philly this week, where that group invited the Pope, who has traditionally attended the once-every-three-year meetings (and the city spent major resources bidding for it to be here and then practically begged the man to attend after he had been selected - all sorts of junkets went on to the Vatican). Once he accepted, all the other stuff got added for when he would be here in the U.S..

[SmittynMo]

55. Ya gotta love it

The continuing saga of the destruction of the GOP. The tea baggers should run whats left of it right into the ground.

Are ya ready for a political revolution?

[truebluegreen]

56. I think he's resigning because it has become all-too-obvious

that he can't control the rabid base--a shutdown is already baked into the cake and he knows it.

The bad news is that the Republican Congress is about to get even more radical and dysfunctional. Worse news is that their approval ratings will probably improve with their base, who will see them as finally Doing Something! to rein in the totally-out-of-control-tyrannical-socialist government.

So things will probably get worse. Only possible good news is that anybody left with two brain cells will revolt against these radicals. Like Trump, they will reveal their true selves for all the world to see: no filters...and after the next election the situation might improve. Maybe.

Take a deep seat and hold on tight.

[wordpix]

70. Kevin McCarthy a likely shoo-in, says CNBC

[truebluegreen]

73. Don't know that much about him.

What amazes me is that anybody is willing to take the thankless job at this point. I don't think it's a reputation-maker, or will last for long (it will be lost to infighting, not a Democratic House).

[wordpix]

78. never heard of him, myself

but if he has the backing of the Tnuts, I won't like him.

[truebluegreen]

102. The only possible good that comes of this

is to have the Teabagger insanity out in the open for all the world to see, no filters...like the exposure Trump has given to the worst ideas (bigotry, misogyny, etc) of the Republican base.

I hope, that after seeing what crazy, radical and dysfunctional idiots they really are, many will be thrown out in the next election...that's the best we can get, but in the meantime the situation will be worse.

[NonMetro]

58. He Realized His Lifelong Dream?

Of having the Pope sermonize to the sinful American people from the Pulpit of the US Congress. So, what is there left for him to do?

[UCmeNdc]

61. This means the Tea Baggers are going to make their move.

Most likely they already have. We just do not know about it yet.

[harun]

180. +1

[Tom Rinaldo]

62. I am open to giving him respect for this move. It deends on what he says and does next

Is he just slinking off in defeat or does he have a meaningful statement to make.

[WI_DEM]

64. The weakest Speaker I can ever recall.

[abelenkpe]

67. So someone crazier can take his place?

[Babel_17]

68. Threat or a promise?

After long and careful consideration of what will likely follow from this, the heavy hitters, and the big donors, of the Republican party might have a thing or three to say to those eager to see Boehner leave.

Edit: That was my initial response. I see now that it looks very real. Kevin McCarthy for the replacement? Hmm, he's relatively new to the game.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_McCarthy_%28California_politician%29

Will he be leading the mob, and organizing them, or is he more just the face, the frontman, for that band determined to make Congress more of a Psycho Circus*.

*Yeah, this is all so crazy, I couldn't resist this allusion. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psycho_Circus

[jwirr]

105. Let's hope in Democratic parents are still alive.

[sofa king]

72. It's a little like when Dick Armey left....

... Many of us will be sad to see him go, because we are unlikely to have another opponent of his, um, quality.

However, I probably said something similar about the departure of Dennis Hastert, and Boehner was no more or less effective as Speaker, unable to coax his foolish herd into any sophisticated legislative action at all. Now that I think about it, Boehner crying in the presence of the Pope makes me wonder, exactly how well he is going to compare with Dennis Hastert down the road....

It's been kind of nice, actually. After over a decade of terrible Republican leadership in the House, that body has become an irrelevant charade that poops out volumes of ignorant and politically charged nonsense, all of which gets unceremoniously dumped in the back room when it comes time to pay the bills. Since they have no real plans, cannot generate realistic budget numbers, and just say no to everything, it's been blessedly easy to outmaneuver the Republicans in the House, and John Boehner was the most important rube of the lot.

[wordpix]

80. so far Boner hasn't been accused of molesting kids like Hastert

so he's one up

[still_one]

83. Actually it is worse, because the house republicans today are even more extreme to the right, and

the probability that there will be a government shut down has increased significantly, which will not only hurt a lot of people, but may extend into where they allow the government to default, which will undo any economic recovery.

The most likely person to replace Boehner will be Kevin McCarthy. Here is where he stands on the issues:

http://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Kevin_McCarthy.htm

[dixiegrrrrl]

118. Good link, thanks!

[sofa king]

161. I'm okay with this guy McCarthy.

My theory--and god am I going to be pissed if I'm wrong--my theory is that the farther to the right a politician is, the stupider he is (and the more likely he is a "he&quot . A foolish Republican Speaker is exactly what we've enjoyed more or less since Gingrich, but Hastert and Boehner were both smarter than their flock, especially the far-rights.

This guy McCarthy is all-the-way right, which suggests to me that he's already started with a cliquish and plotting staff, an actual Rolodex of contacts instead of a database, and of course no accountants, science people, or "math guys" within easy reach. One maneuvers with facts and knowledge of the rules in the House, and if you don't have either of those things, well.... It's predictable.

The Republicans will continue to be unable to assert legislative authority over a clever President and even a strong minority in the Senate, as we have already seen. We'll likely continue to retain that dubious edge if any of the current Democratic candidates (or Joe Biden) wins.

Of course, I also have a related theory, which is that as a politician's politics approaches the ideal right wing, the chances of that person being inextricably involved in sexual and/or financial scandal approaches certainty. And this doofus is all-the-way right, so it's either a live boy or a dead girl, as the insiders used to say....

[Spitfire of ATJ]

104. Tom Delay leaving was a cause for celebration too....

As was Newt. Then there was Dennis Hastert.

Come to think of it Boehner may be one of the few Republican Speakers to leave without being indited which is weird since he once handed out checks from Big Tobacco on the Floor.

[wordpix]

109. just look at this list of bad actors/criminals---these are repuke leaders

Boner looks pretty good compared to these. He's just an alcoholic and chain smoker as far as we know. But I don't doubt that something will come out about his love affair with the 1% and campaign donors.

[freebrew]

76. Maybe he sees an opening ...

to run for president!!!!

Hell, a few of them just dropped out, maybe room for one more?

Just Kidding. Good fucking riddance.

I know, the next guy will be worse.

So, focus on the new guy, eh?

[fbc]

81. He accomplished nothing

[packman]

82. From the Senate to the ----

?t=4

[world wide wally]

85. It's too bad that he never had an ounce of courage to act in the best interests of his

country. Now, I'm sure we'll get a Bagger out to really fuck us up intentionally

[Uncle Joe]

86. I hope he's not having a nervous breakdown or something, I agree with the posters

up thread, baton down the hatches, the House is about to become even more extreme right wing.

Thanks for the thread, Gothmog.

[jwirr]

90. And who said the Pope couldn't get anything done?

[SoapBox]

94. Good bye...good riddance.

[snort]

99. Backfired on you, didn't it John?

Now do the rest of the right thing and speak out.

[DFW]

100. Maybe he met the Pope and got religion

He won't be replaced by anyone better, that's for sure.

[harun]

181. House can go full Tea Bagger now, they will quickly see how that works out for them.

[DFW]

187. Badly in the long term for sure, maybe not so badly in the short term.

That, in turn will be bad for us. If they get a lot of headlines (and they do own most of the media) about how effective they are in blocking Obama (see Cantor's editorial today), then they will be able to point to their newly-found "effectiveness" now that Bonehead is gone, and be able to claim how right (no pun intended) they were all along. It could damage our chances in a few crucial House and Senate races.

[TeamPooka]

103. The Pope Effect? nt

[unblock]

108. he'll drink to that!

[romanic]

110. I bet hearing the Pope speak

made him realize how much of a blubbering fuckwad he's been as a politican/speaker. Good riddance.

[Iceberg Louie]

136. Uncanny how just 24 hours after bawling as the Pope spoke of nobility in public service

Boehner throws in the towel. Uncanny.

[roguevalley]

141. rumors are rife that there is going to be a coup against him.

I don't think he can take it and I think the amazing grace of Frances was the last straw. He can't defend against them turning down the government any more. He didn't want it last time and I think he knows he can't stop it now. I think he may even have health issues now.

[drm604]

111. As much as I dislike Boehner, this is not a good thing.

The Tea Party crazies are going to have more power now.

[wordpix]

114. reports are Boner wants to work with Dems to keep gov running

look on the bright side

[m night shanahan]

123. That's right

The orange finger has been removed from the dam.

[AlbertCat]

113. "the Pope must gotten to him!"

I found it amusing that people think "the Pope musta gotten to him!" Pu-leez! This has been planned long before the Pope arrived. The dog and pony show of the Pope was Boehner's big finale show stopper act. He was blubbering thru the Pope's speech (if he was even listening) because he knew his exit stage right was coming up. The Pope was a prop. "Play me off...Pope!"..aaaand vamp!

[perdita9]

116. Good. He wasn't getting anything accomplished besides obstructing everything anyway

[a kennedy]

117. What actually is the ratio between teabags to just repubs??? eom

[dixiegrrrrl]

119. NY Times article says

The fundamental dynamics don’t change,” Mr. Dent said.
“The dynamics are this: There are anywhere from two to four dozen members who don’t have an affirmative sense of governance.
They can’t get to yes. They just can’t get to yes, and so they undermine the ability of the speaker to lead. And not only do they undermine the ability of the speaker to lead, but they undermine the entire Republican conference and also help to weaken the institution of Congress itself. That’s the reality.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/26/us/john-boehner-to-resign-from-congress.html

[Gregorian]

122. Congress is going to lose it's glow!

[workinclasszero]

127. Tea party radicals will burn down the house

and bring the government to a halt.

Its their wet dream to destroy our government and with Boehner out of the way they just have to pick the worst, most idiotic loon in their racist party to git her done!

Any government employees out there better be saving all your pennies cause the republicans are coming for your paycheck!

Republicans are economic terrorists, get ready USA!

[sofa king]

176. Remember that when the government shut down...

... some magical national security measure kicked in and within 72 hours the Republicans came out of the woodshed endorsing the Democratic President's plan.

We almost got 'em to do it twice, but John Boehner was smart enough to slip out of the second crisis without triggering the backroom ass-whipping they got the first time--which included allowing the expiration of tax cuts for the rich and the loss of a trillion dollars in defense funding.

Since we're already dealing with criminals, more and stupider crazies in House leadership may actually mean more power for a Democratic President and for Democratic legislators who actually know how to legislate.

Some day soon, that might be how America finally changes for the better, through constant idiot-generated crisis, where stupid Republicans lose something important and irreplaceable every time they shut the government down.

[workinclasszero]

183. The republicans are in full bark at the moon lunacy mode now

They see Boehner's blood in the water and it just whets their blood lust even higher. Wall street...hell, the whole world economic system must be shaking in their boots at what the radical teahaddists have in store for their precious trillions!

These dumb bastards created the fox/hate radio/teahaddist monster and now its turning on its master and will rip their throats out!

[sofa king]

185. No doubt, they're set back by years.

I think just the announcement will cause a change in leadership staff that will be disruptive enough to put the House on autopilot for the rest of the year.

Then the crazies come in, and if we're lucky they'll maneuver the "you can't do that" staff people--the ones with the institutional knowledge--straight out of the upper ranks.

And stupidity shall reign in the House.

That's just fine with me, because as long as their gerrymandering keeps them in the majority, I want the Republicans to be as stupid and small-minded as chickens, pecking at their own feces to taste whether or not it's a juicy grub....

Chickens are dumb enough to believe that their leader is the meanest rooster, instead of the farmer with the axe.

[Dont call me Shirley]

129. The GOP oligarchy must be really pissed at Boner for inviting the liberal pope to Congress.

[SunSeeker]

130. I'm guessing whichever teabagger replaces him (probably McCarthy) will make us miss Boehner.

At least Boehner was good for some comic relief.

[xocet]

131. The (Hue and) Cry...

[Demeter]

132. I guess the shame of having to enlist Democrats to keep the government running was a bridge too far

Instead of actually being a leader, and leading, come hell or high water, Boehner is bugging out.

I don't think it's his health, or his vices. I think it's his cowardice.

[rizlaplus]

133. The Nation Mourns

OK, OK ... there IS this guy obviously overcome with grief

[Gothmog]

135. I heard on MSNBC that Boehner rented a place in Florida

It appears that he may be retiring to Florida.

[Myrina]

140. Well, he doesn't have to worry about sunburn ... he's got a nice base "tan" sprayed on.

n/t

[joanbarnes]

138. He can go live with ex-Governor Palin!

[Gothmog]

139. Maybe Boehner announced his resignation so that he will be free to do some actual governing

I know that this may be unrealistic but Boehner's resignation frees him to pass some bills that are unpopular with the 40 or 50 tea party nut cases but are necessary for the operation of the country such as a clean budget, a debt ceiling increase and a highway bill.

These bills could all pass with the support of the Democrats and Boehner could leave on a positive note. The conservative/tea party element of the base already hate him and so Beohner's legacy will be judged by what he accomplished and not what 40 or 50 nutcases think.

[jmondine]

143. Na na na na... Na na na na... Hey hey hey...

Goodbye!

[arcane1]

146. Holy shit! I thought he was just quitting the Speaker gig! n/t

[LaydeeBug]

147. Bye Felicia! nt

[Gothmog]

150. Boehner resignation changes the shutdown calculus

A government shutdown appears to be far less likely now http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/boehner-resignation-changes-the-shutdown-calculus

[rwsanders]

164. And some people here say republicans don't hear from God when they pray.

[colsohlibgal]

165. Surreal

Most republicans are giddy because the Orange Man wasn't being wing nutty enough for them. Meanwhile Obama slurps him.

God I hope Bernie wins but unless people get off their rear ends and vote he wouldn't get a congress to help him even if he got to the White House.

[Kennah]

167. Heard he got a gig as a wine taster n/t

[Liberty Belle]

168. Well, hell. Does that mean unemployment checks stop?

We're living on unemployment right now.

how are federal healthcare benefits impacted - ie those of us on "Obamacare"?

Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse (after slamming into a truck, literally, totaling my car and wrecking up my neck and back this week....aaaaaarrgggggh!)

[polynomial]

170. The Pope was asking for good thoughts

That's not easy to do

Thinking about that “wall” the Vatican, a walled enclave within the city of Rome, where the truth about just one important existence was suppressed for around three hundred and fifty years, but finely the Church admitted it was wrong. Many can argue America is in an infancy in confessions of wrong decisions by the deciders, compared to that enclave.

That is the conflict of great science of Copernicus, Galileo, and the Church. It was just 1992 the church saying it was wrong to condemn them.

Keeping secrets has been the domain of religion, government, and academia for millennium’s, however it appears that some omega point is being recognized. We may very well be living in the apocalypse, meaning "uncovering", translated literally from Greek, is a disclosure of knowledge.

Two important issues jump out at me about the notion of secrecy and lies, the Pope says climate change is real and America should take a leadership role to avoid further destruction of the ecosystem.

The second and very striking was the visit to ground zero, the monument to lies of a war that should not have happened.

A monument in stone that represents profiteering decisions the Republicans or that so called military industrial complex embraces and endorsed by the corrupt media view a beautiful cascading water well at the monument to commit the pure memory of an injustice.

Yet Americans while viewing this monument increasingly without thinking need to resort to drink pure water from plastic bottles because our basic water supply is inadequate to the taste or health.

The way change will take place is to admit the Iraq war was wrong, and climate change is real. Speaker John A. Boehner knows that. Maybe Trump will engage Boehner as a Vice President, the next media circus.

[bucolic_frolic]

171. Don't believe

the storyline .... this is a calculated Tea Party maneuver to showcase
their extreme positions and force President Obama to veto them so
they can blame him for being obstructionist.

Will the general public buy it? No.

Will the 7% of last minute voters who know little about issues be
swayed by the tactic?

Some probably will.

The new Speaker will be a radical for sure. A firebrand.

[workinclasszero]

186. The pubic didn't buy the republican lie before

And they are not going to buy it the next 50 times either!

Who the hell is out their crowing about shutting down the government if they don't get their way?

F***ING republicans of course! And we all see it! And hear it on hate radio/fox.

So when the next teahaddist speaker of the house says gee President Obama shutdown the government not us, everybody and his brother will know exactly who to blame!

The stinking, anti-american, radical teahaddist F***ING REPUBLICAN party!

[Hestia]

172. Is there a pool open yet as to what information will be disclosed after he leaves office like?

Hastert, et al? Is there a line posted anywhere?

[wordpix]

184. my bet is a string of drunk driving incidents + health probs, emotional + physical

big drinker + chain smoker = bad health and then add in stress and insanity from dealing with the RWnutjobs

[Initech]

179. Na na na na, na na na na hey hey hey goodbye!!!!

[Mary Mac]

188. Good luck to a classy guy.

He reminds me of Dean Martin and I wish him well.