ConstitutionPolitics

Boehner Could Have Been Defeated if Georgia Republicans Voted Right

I’m embarrassed that Georgia Republicans voted for John Boehner for Speaker of the House of Representatives. “New Republican Reps. Barry Loudermilk of Cassville and Jody Hice of Monroe campaigned on bringing new leadership to the House and leveled voice votes against Boehner in a closed-door November vote. But before a packed House chamber crowd and CSPAN viewers, they voted for Boehner.”

The excuse these Republicans are giving is that since their closed-door voice vote failed to oust Boehner, they contend that the GOP now needs unity. But these guys weren’t in office in November. They had no business committing themselves to a vote until they saw how Boehner and Co. would deal with the budget issues and funding of Obamacare.

Loudermilk, who represents my district in Georgia, said:

I did [vote against Boehner]. When the vote counted which was in conference when we were electing who our nominee to go to the floor was. That was the time for that to happen, not when the cameras have to be out and everybody can make a show.

I disagree. The only vote that counted was yesterday’s vote, otherwise why have it? It’s when the camera is on that’s important because that’s when people who voted for these guys are watching.

A few more votes and Boehner would have been out. It would have meant a dramatic change in Washington. Those who voted for Boehner when it counted blew a big opportunity.

A lot changed from the time when the November conference vote was taken. The Republican leadership gave into Obama and passed the $1.1 Trillion CRomnibus budget.

Jodie Hice, also a newly elected Georgia congressman, issued a statement where he said that “he used the leverage of his speaker vote to get ‘assurances’ for leadership to fight for certain conservative priorities.”

Since when have assurances from Boehner and Co. ever come to pass? Hice was given assurances just to get his vote. Boehner has had four years to demonstrate his conservative bona fides and failed.

And what’s Boehner’s plan for those who did not vote for him? Payback and revenge:

Members are already making noises about reversing any punitive action by Boehner and the leadership, although the speaker’s allies warn that further retaliation could be on the way.

Boehner may have given his assurances, but other House members didn’t. “We don’t need these fringe guys as much as we did anymore,” said a GOP leadership aide, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We can let them walk on certain bills, and it just won’t matter. That gives us breathing room.”

This guy wanted to remain anonymous while the 25 courageous Republicans who voted against Boehner did it publicly

Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.), one of “the most vocal thorns in Boehner’s side,” said “he was unhappy that ‘only three of the freshmen class’ voted against Boehner.”
Here are the 25 GOP lawmakers who kept their campaign promises and did not vote for Boehner. They deserve your support now and your vote in 2016:

  1. Justin Amash, Mich.
  2. Rod Blum, Iowa
  3. Dave Brat, Va.
  4. Jim Bridenstine, Okla.
  5. Curt Clawson, Fla.
  6. Scott DesJarlais, Tenn.
  7. Jeff Duncan, S.C.
  8. Scott Garrett, N.J.
  9. Chris Gibson, N.Y.
  10. Louie Gohmert, Texas
  11. Paul Gosar, Ariz.
  12. Tim Huelskamp, Kan.
  13. Walter Jones, N.C.
  14. Steve King, Iowa
  15. Thoma Massie, Ky.
  16. Mark Meadows, N.C.
  17. Rich Nugent, Fla.
  18. Gary Palmer, Ala.
  19. Bill Posey, Fla.
  20. Scott Rigell, Va.
  21. Marlin Stutzman, Ind.
  22. Randy Weber, Texas
  23. Daniel Webster, Fla.
  24. Ted Yoho, Fla.
  25. Brian Babin, Texas
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