John Boehner Denies Rivalry With Eric Cantor: We Have ‘Wonderful Relationship’

Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) and Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) with members of the Republican House leadership
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Brushing aside whispers of a growing rivalry, Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) told FOX News on Monday that he and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) were on good terms.

“There’s a lot of people who want to write things about Eric and I and the jostling for power,” Boehner said. “It’s nonsense. Eric and I have a wonderful relationship. We understand each other. We walk through these battles together, and I’m grateful for his leadership.”

At one point during talks to avert a shutdown, Cantor disavowed any knowledge of reported movement in negotiations, leading some commentators to speculate that he was trying to create distance from Boehner in case conservative lawmakers led a revolt over an agreement.

Boehner also addressed his ability to work with President Obama, saying he was encouraged the two had figured out a procedure for negotiations during the shutdown debate.

“I like the President. I get along with him very well,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we don’t have very different visions for what the role of the federal government should be in our society, but we got through this one successfully. The next one’s going to be much more difficult, and he knows and I know it.”

Discussing the House GOP’s budget proposal, which abolishes Medicare in place of a private voucher system, Boehner said his message for Obama was: “Mr. President, lock arms with me — lets jump out of the boat together … forget the next election, forget the next poll that’s going to come out.”

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