There has been some chattering amongst several of WMD's regular sources that Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner -- has not exactly been the inspiring leader we've been needing in Congress. Respectfully, I disagree. Let's start with this post over at The Corner by David Freddoso which concludes with this bit:This comes after Boehner's endorsement of the Paul Ryan (R.,Wis.) plan to pay for a gas tax holiday by removing earmarks from this year's appropriations bills. The gas-tax business is rather gimmicky, of course, but I cannot think of a better way to pay for it.Emphasis added. That bit also has a ton of links that you might want to check out to fully understand the arguments being made here...
Not all conservatives agree on this topic, of course — Ramesh ably argues the opposite school on earmarks — but I believe Boehner is taking a correct and politically wise approach (according to Frank Luntz's research, per Robert Novak, last item) that will appeal to the right people who consider voting Republican. Some from the anti-earmark school have been critical of Boehner as too soft, but I've disagreed. House Republicans are definitely not of one mind on this issue, so you could say he's really going out on a limb. It could cost him, too.
I like, very much, that Boehner is leading by example on the issue of earmarks. His record is golden on this subject and I think his methods of working as an agent of change in Dee Cee is the right one. As I have said many times before, I believe that if you want to see change, you have to work for it...and Boehner is certainly taking risks in advancing that particular agenda.
Risks? Yeah. Risks. Real ones, too. If the GOP gets smacked around as bad as some say they will in '08, the conference may choose new leadership. Now you may say, "So what?" but my response to that is that if you want this stuff to change, you have to continue supporting people who hold the positions you support. Either you are for earmark reform or you aren't. If you want to see the way government does business change, then you had better stick with Boehner. He has the experience and the talent to get the job done right. Washington is not going to change over night and if you thought it was going to just because conservatives have decided to stage a conniption; well, you were sadly mistaken.
Conservatives must continue to be happy warriors in the tradition of Ronald Reagan. When Reagan faced adversity did he sit it out? Hell no. He got in the fight and got his hands dirty. That is what conservatives ought to be doing.
Now, let's talk about "Change We Deserve" because there is some criticism floating about that my good friend John Boehner is soaking up a lot of time on the networks and cable news shows promoting the idea that Congressional Republicans have learned their lessons and now know what the American people want and need. To you folks, I say, "Pay closer attention." In the last week or so, we've seen aging dinosaur, Newt Gingrich, make yet another stab at political relevance by stabbing at the very heart of the operation that is getting things done. I think Congressional Republicans have done a heckuva job in erecting barriers to the destructive Democratic agenda and along the way they have picked up the idea that the Republican brand is damaged and they want to repair the damage. Newt Gingrich thinks we can do that by championing Census Bureau reform...I think the man ought to get back on his meds again. Boehner is spearheading an effort to roll out a new agenda that Congressional Republicans think are going to be key to returning the GOP to a majority. Whether or not that effort succeeds or fails depends largely on whether or not Republicans show up and vote.
Yeah. That's right. We actually have to vote. Sure...conservatives are not pleased with John Sidney McCain as our standard bearer, but if we allow total Democratic control over two-thirds of the federal government it will not be long and we will find ourselves right back in the wilderness without a single branch of government in Republican hands. My liberal friends who read this blog are cheering that very thought, so I implore you to do what you need to do in order to stem the tide: vote Republican. Your vote for a Republican that you don't like in Ohio will allow the agendas of Rep. Jeff Flake and Sen. Tom Coburn have that much more of a chance to get advanced. Why? Because that's how the game works. In order to advance your agenda, you have to have the votes to get it done.
Having said all that, are there more than our fair share of idiots serving in Dee Cee on the right side of the aisle? Yup. Should we do what we can to fix that? Surely. But let's make sure that we aren't throwing the baby out with the bathwater. We need to effect our change in the primaries. We need to get as many conservatives on to central committees. It is in these areas that conservatives have really failed to accomplish the necessary work in order to be effective. And rather than take Barry Goldwater's advice and "get to work, conservatives" most have been rather content to sit on the sidelines and whine about it. Boo-Frackin'-Hoo...
We've been dealt a crummy hand, but the crafty poker player knows that it isn't just the cards in your hand that matters...it is what you do with them and how you read your opponent. I used to say that the Republicans saving grace was the incompetence of the Democratic Party...it is just about an even game on that score these days. You can't win if you fold before the cards are even dealt.
5/16/08 UPDATE 1: Supposedly, my argument isn't sufficient to assuage the critics. That's fine. We can address some of those issues too by saying that while Boehner has been in Congress nearly twenty years you still have to judge him ON HIS RECORD. Not whether or not he sponsored legislation that was to your liking...not whether or not he's done or not done something that you favor...but you have to support your argument with votes. I don't accept the "he's not conservative enough" argument from Jean Schmidt detractors based on intuition, emotion, or the Magic 8 Ball and I'm sure not going to accept it in Boehner's case.
Leadership is about building a consensus in order to advance an agenda. Let's face it, the only agenda House Republicans have had is to stall or abort the Democratic agenda whenever and however possible. I have no problem with that as that is the mission that is traditionally assigned to the minority leader of Congress. Boehner has excelled at this job and has the record to prove it.
On the other hand, I do think we need to start talking about what sorts of principles and initiatives we ought to be advancing in order to win back the majority. And, like, ohmygosh!, isn't that exactly what John Boehner is doing?
By the way, House Republicans have been offering up counter-proposals on issues like earmarks and ethics reforms and the agenda can't be advanced because the Republicans are in the minority. I don't know how people expect John Boehner to change that...his superpowers are dark tan, power pink ties, and smooth voice. We need more Republicans in the House before we can start blaming John Boehner for the American people having electing Democrats.
