Todd Starnes: John Boehner Needs To Go

Today In GOP Infighting

John Boehner: House GOP Will Stay Out Of SCOTUS Same-Sex Marriage Cases

Chris Johnson reports at Washington Blade:

U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Thursday declined to offer his hopes for litigation seeking marriage rights for same-sex couples before the U.S. Supreme Court, but said he doesn’t expect House Republicans will weigh in a legal capacity. “I don’t expect that we’re going to weigh in on this,” Boehner said. “The court will make its decision and that’s why they’re there, to be the highest court in the land.” Boehner, an opponent of same-sex marriage, made the remarks in response to a question from the Washington Blade at his weekly news conference the month after the Supreme Court agreed to hear the lawsuits, which includes a lawsuit challenging the state law in Boehner’s own state of Ohio.

That's quite a change from 2013 when the House GOP filed a SCOTUS brief against the overturn of DOMA. Now we wait to see if Boehner withers under pressure.

Pelosi Mocks Obamacare Repeal Attempts

From Rep. Nancy Pelosi's YouTube channel: "It’s another week in the new Republican Congress, which means another stale attempt to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Thanks to the health care law, uninsured rates are at a record low and more hardworking families are able to afford insurance and yet, Republicans are holding their 56th repeal vote. Unbelievable. Now I know how Bill Murray’s character felt in the movie, Groundhog Day."

Caption This

Math Truthiness From Teabagistan

Technically true, as Boehner got 216 votes, two short of a majority out of a possible 435 votes. But Boehner did, rather obviously, get the majority of the votes from the 408 House members who were present today. But don't expect Breitbart to mention that pesky detail.

LIVE VIDEO: House Votes For SpeakerUPDATE: Boehner Survives Tea Party Coup

The Washington Post has list of votes against Boehner. Loony Louie Gohmert only got three votes, including his own. Final tally: Boehner 216, Pelosi 164.

Teabaggers Predict Boehner Loss

Just posted to Breitbart:

Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL), one of the Republican alternatives to John Boehner for Speaker, tells Breitbart News he predicts Boehner will not win re-election on the first ballot in the speakership election coming shortly after noon on Tuesday. Yoho says he’s hearing an outpouring of support from members conference-wide. “There will be more against the Speaker,” Yoho replied when asked if more than 29 Republicans will vote for a Republican alternative to Boehner. “I’m telling you this is not something that just happened. This is something that people talked about, that we’ve got to have a new speaker. I’ve talked to members who have been here for 20 years who think they’re great guys but think we need to have great leadership. If you believe in that, this is your opportunity.” When further asked if Boehner won’t be re-elected on the first ballot at least, Yoho replied: “Yes, sir.” This is the first public prediction that Boehner could be forced to, at least, a second ballot.

The vote will be carried live at 12:30PM by C-SPAN.

UPDATE: Here's a Tea tally from Daily Caller. Only 28 anti-Boehner votes are needed to send the issue to a second ballot where support could fracture.

UPDATE: Watch the vote live here.

Gingrich Backs Boehner For Speaker

The 114th Congress takes office today as the GOP takes control of both chambers for the first time since 2006. The big story today will be the Tea Party attempt to unseat House Speaker John Boehner, who is facing declared challengers from several nutbags, most notably Rep. Louie Gohmert. Over on Twitter, reporters from Breitbart have spent the last two days breathlessly recounting behind-the-scenes jockeying and speculative whip counts. Adding a wrinkle to the Boehner battle is today's funeral for Mario Cuomo, which will keep much of the New York delegation out of the voting. Other House members may not make the vote due to a snowstorm that has delayed air traffic to DC. Most mainstream outlets expect Boehner to retain his gavel, but Politico notes that "absolute chaos could ensue" if the Tea Party faction manages to push the vote to a second ballot. I'll post a live-stream of the vote if one becomes available.

Hannity Endorses Gohmert For Speaker

The vote is today.

Tea Party Loon Rep. Louie Gohmert: I'm Running To Unseat Boehner As Speaker

Via the wingnut Heritage Foundation:

In announcing his bid today for speaker of the House of Representative, Rep. Louie Gohmert promised to be the engine of change that conservatives have been calling for in their rebellion against the establishment wing of the Republican Party. “It is time for a change; it really is time for a change,” Gohmert said on “Fox & Friends” while announcing his campaign to unseat incumbent Speaker John Boehner. Gohmert, R-Texas, criticized Boehner, R-Ohio, for a “number of years of broken promises,” and specifically challenged the speaker’s decision to pass the “CRomnibus” spending bill in December without blocking President Obama’s executive actions on immigration. If elected speaker, Gohmert said he will “fight amnesty tooth and nail.” He said his agenda would also include defunding Obamacare and having “positive solutions that will return power back to the people.” House members are set to vote for their next speaker on Tuesday.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Gohmert says "gay massages" put the US military in danger of terrorism. Gohmert says it's time to bomb Iran. Gohmert says Obama won't defend American women from rapist immigrants. Gohmert says he feels sorry for stupid atheists. Gohmert calls for sending American troops to Mexico stop illegal immigration. Gohmert says that it's the duty of every Christian to tell non-Christians that they are going to hell. Gohmert compares LGBT activists to Nazis. Gohmert says that judges who rule in favor of same-sex marriage need lessons in basic human plumbing. Gohmert says that "two males mating" does not advance the human species. Gohmert blames the Colorado movie theater shooting on the bible not being taught in public schools. Gohmert introduces a bill allowing members of Congress to carry guns in the Capitol Building. Gohmert claims that "demonic forces" are behind the Affordable Care Act. Gohmert compares President Obama to Adolf Hitler. Gohmert claims that terrorists are having US-born "anchor babies" so that they can grow up to be terrorists too. Gohmert claims that the Hate Crimes Act protects pedophiles from prosecution.

Matt Drudge Has The Budget Sadz

Matt Drudge Has The Super Sadz

The Washington Post has a breakdown of some of the items in the budget.

Boehner: Obama Is Deliberately Sabotaging Bipartisan Reforms

Boehner Prebuts Obama's Speech

DeMaio Concedes

No recount. And that's that. (Except that Teabagistan will forever cite the sexual harassment scandals.)

Protest At Boehner's DeMaio Fundraiser

Several protest behind home where DeMaio fundraiser is taking place http://t.co/Yk39TMi5kr pic.twitter.com/vivecrTi25
— 10News (@10News) October 11, 2014

The DNC organized the protest.

Several people protested Saturday behind the Pacific Beach home where a fundraiser for congressional candidate Carl DeMaio took place. DeMaio was seen leaving the home after the fundraiser. His supporter, Speaker of the House John Boehner, left in an SUV moments before. A few protesters stood behind the home with signs that read "dirty DeMaio" and "I stand with Todd," which refer to the sexual harassment claim that surfaced. "There are allegations out there that need to be considered by the voters as they go to the polls on November 4," said Jess Durfee, a member of the Democratic National Committee, who organized the protest. DeMaio's former staffer, Todd Bosnich, told CNN DeMaio repeatedly made unwanted sexual advances toward him. When he complained, he says DeMaio's campaign offered him $50,000 to keep quiet but he turned down the offer.

(Tipped by JMG reader Eric)

Log Cabin Head Gregory Angelo: Boehner Has Always Backed Gay GOP Candidates

Boehner To Fundraise For Carl DeMaio

Much to the anger of anti-gay groups, House Speaker John Boehner will be in San Diego on Saturday to fundraise for homocon House candidate Carl DeMaio. Via The Hill:

Boehner’s trip to the Golden State marks the second leg of his fall tour to expand House Republicans’ 17-seat majority. The GOP’s efforts to broaden the playing field include races in blue regions like New York, New England and California, and support for gay candidates like DeMaio and Massachusetts’s Richard Tisei. “I’m disappointed but not terribly surprised that some extreme far right groups would rather lose elections than win elections, and have been very destructive for so many years within the Republican Party,” DeMaio said in a phone interview. “I’m glad so many people are finally realizing that and standing up to that, saying we may not agree on all issues but we agree on the vast majority of issues.” Asked specifically whether Boehner’s help sends an important political message, DeMaio did not mention the Speaker by name: “We welcome all support from wherever it comes from. We’re all coming together in a broad-based campaign not only to win a seat but send a national message that the Republican Party can be more inclusive and positive.”

The above-linked report claims that DeMaio "hasn't shied away" from supporting same-sex marriage and that his campaign materials include a photo of DeMaio holding hands with his partner at San Diego Pride. The truth is that DeMaio has denounced LGBT rights groups and has vowed that LGBT civil rights will never influence his political decisions. Oh, and he was booed by the locals at that pride parade.

RELATED: Last month the Family Research Council, Focus On The Family, and NOM jointly issued a demand that the GOP not support any LGBT or LGBT-friendly candidates. Named in their missive was DeMaio, Tisei, and Senate candidate Monica Wehby.

US House Votes To Sue Obama

Via the Los Angeles Times:

The House vote to sue President Obama is the first such legal challenge by a chamber of Congress against a president and a historic foray in the fight over constitutional checks and balances. Wednesday’s nearly party-line vote followed a feisty floor debate and offered a fresh example of how the capital’s hyper-partisanship has led both parties into unprecedented territory, going to new and greater lengths to confront one another. The House approved the resolution in a near party-line vote, 225 to 201. It authorizes House Speaker John A. Boehner to file suit in federal court on behalf of the full body “to seek appropriate relief” for Obama’s failure to enforce a provision of the Affordable Care Act that would penalize businesses that do not offer basic health insurance to their employees. That provision’s effective date has been delayed by the administration twice and now won’t fully take effect until 2016. The GOP-led House has voted to repeal the law, even as it seeks to sue Obama for failing to enforce it.