Boehner: Speaker in the Wings

The man who would unseat Nancy Pelosi has a tough task
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Sep 5, 2010 3:39 PM CDT
Boehner: Speaker in the Wings
FILE - In this April 14, 2010 file photo, President Barack Obama meets with House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, second from left, and other Congressional leaders in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington. From left are, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md., House Minority Leader...   (Alex Brandon)

John Boehner's mainly known for his dogged resistance to Barack Obama's agenda and the perpetual tan that would suggest he represents sunnier climes than Ohio, reports the AP in an in-depth look at the man you might soon know as speaker of the House. But which Boehner will show up, should his Republicans pull off a coup and snatch 40 seats from Democrats? The fierce hell-no partisan determined to repeal health reform, or the bipartisan legislator who worked with Teddy Kennedy on education legislation?

Boehner's job will be no easy one: His increasingly fractious caucus will likely include Tea Partiers less prone to compromise. And he could face a challenge from younger members such as the self-styled "Young Guns," though Boehner dismisses the notion, calling them "some of our brightest, most energetic members." Says a former aide to Dennis Hastert: "He provides adult leadership." (More John Boehner stories.)

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