Republican Leader, my Congressman, and a Great American -- John Boehner -- is scheduled for a live appearance on the FOX News show, The Big Story w/ John Gibson at approximately 5:35pm to discuss the Iraq supplemental debate.UPDATE: Transcript (Video):
JOHN GIBSON: Congressman boehner, white house 2008, the gop hopefuls, what about this uneasiness?
REP. JOHN BOEHNER: I think republicans around the country are beginning to get to know all of these candidates and as we continue to look around we have to realize that it is may of 2007. We have a long time before we get into this primary season. It cannot start until january. I think there are a lot of people walking around trying to find a candidate they like.
GIBSON: is that we hear so much about fred thompson?
REP. BOEHNER: I think some people are looking at the field saying, i like this guy on this issue, i like this guy on this issue, but clearly there are a number of people looking around trying to find somebody else. That is where fred thompson or newt gingrich pulled some appeal with the some republican
GIBSON: what is that they bring up voters. the others do not?
REP. BOEHNER: You look around the field and you have some people with conservative critics -- credentials, but i think a true conservative, they really do not see yet. I am not sure they ever will see. At the end of the day, i do not think many republican voters know enough about the candidates out there. As the summer goes on, the fall get here, people paid more attention and they will start coming home to each of these candidates.
GIBSON: talk about iraq . You made some news sunday saying we would anticipate a decision by fall. Does this indicate that even republican stalwarts are getting restless?
REP. BOEHNER: I think is a reflection of just how the process works. By the end of june, general patreas should have all of his reinforcements in iraq . You take 90 days from there, all through july, august, september, people are going to know how this surge is working. I was the iraqi government performing? It is just a natural moment in time to look and see if this plan is working and it is, what are the next steps? If the plan is not working, what is planned beat?
GIBSON: dinner with the queen?
REP. BOEHNER: It was great. For a guy like me who broke with 11 brothers and sisters to be in a white tie with the queen of england was quite a moment.
GIBSON: you looked good. Congratulations. Congressman john boehner, come back again.
