Speaker John Boehner dreams big.
(Yuri Gripas/Reuters)
For a guy
who can't keep his caucus under control, this is some remarkably
big talk.
Republicans will hold the House next year and for the next decade, House speaker John Boehner told POLITICO in an exclusive interview.
Boehner dismissed Democratic claims that House control is up for grabs and argued that the once-in-a-decade redistricting process has made the GOP’s hold on the majority ironclad.
Redistricting “gives us a very strong foundation for the decade,” Boehner said.
“I think it will be nearly impossible” for Democrats to win back the House in November, Boehner said. “I think our freshman members are doing a good job preparing themselves for the upcoming election. I would also note that redistricting across the country has helped those freshman members and others in tough seats who will now have better seats. So I think we’re in pretty strong shape for the year ahead.” Boehner said he thought it “quite likely” the party would maintain control of the House through at least 2020, “as long as we listen to the American people and follow their will.”
He might have a point on redistricting, but has he happened to notice exactly who the contenders for the top of the GOP ticket in 2012 are?
Oh, and there's this. His budget leader, Rep. Paul Ryan, is still determined to end Medicare and will insist that it be included in the House GOP budget. Can you smell the victory?