It Sounds as if Boehner Doesn't Support RINOvich's Plan 'E'

From Roll Call:

Boehner said in an interview Wednesday that his continued support for the war and the surge has its roots in tepid responses to terrorist acts in the 1990s. “Basically we just ignored the threat,” he said.

“Most people just want this to go away, but al-Qaida is not going to go away. This global jihadist movement is growing all over the world and at some point you have to draw the line and say you are not going to take it any more.”

Unlike Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who has said he expects reductions in troop levels starting this fall, Boehner has eschewed such speculation.

Boehner has been more vehement in his support for the president than other House GOP leaders have. He teared up in an impassioned speech defending the war on the House floor last month, and he initially resisted proposals from House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and House Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (Fla.) for “benchmarks with consequences” for the Iraqi government as part of the war-funding bill. Democrats ultimately agreed to include benchmarks with potential consequences for development aid but allowed the president to waive any restrictions.

Boehner wouldn’t address Lugar’s comments directly — saying, “It is what it is” — but he criticized Members in general on both sides of the aisle for comments critical of the war effort. “They think they’re talking to their neighbor, but what they say is heard all over the world. I think it’s very dangerous,” he said.

Boehner added that he’s also concerned that withdrawing from Iraq could make matters worse.

“The consequences of failure in Iraq are enormous. It’d destabilize Iraq , it provides a safe haven for al-Qaida, encourages their ability to recruit around the world,” Boehner said. “Then you look at the whole situation with Iran and you put a big bull’s-eye on Israel ’s forehead, and if that’s not bad enough, who doesn’t believe they won’t follow us home?”

Unlike some people representing Ohio, Boehner gets it...