Aside from petty partisan politics in the capital, why doesn't Boner just

[craigmatic]

get 25 republicans to join all the democrats in the house to vote for the debt ceiling being raised and send the bill to the senate? He doesn't control his own caucus anyway why keep hiding it? At some point in the future they're going to dump him for Canter.

[tridim]

1. We need to beat the ever lovin' crap out of them in '12

It's mandatory.

[RickFromMN]

2. May I venture a guess...Boehner thinks he can retain the Speakership.

Soon enough, the Tea Party will make him an issue.
They will turn on those who support Boehner.

I can't imagine things will get better if/when Boehner loses the Speakership.

If only we could vote some of the Tea Party people out sooner.
The next election is still too far away.

I have to hope the people will turn against the Tea Party. I think I'm an optimist.
The electorate that voted the Tea Party Representatives in will still vote for them.
They get their news from FOX. They think everything is proceeding according to plan.
They think they will come out ahead. They think they won't get hurt by Tea Party policies.

I can't fathom why the elderly vote for the Tea Party.
I would have thought the elderly would be especially hurt by Tea Party policies.

I can't imagine the moderate voters will stay with the Tea Party.
I have to believe the Tea Party has shown its true, extremely right wing colors.
That should scare the moderates.

I am not a fan of Boehner; but I'm hoping he retains the Speakership until the next election.
I don't think I like the Republican alternatives for Speakership.