Boehner: I’m The Most ‘Anti-Establishment Speaker We’ve Ever Had’

Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, reflects on the stunning primary defeat of Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, June 12, 2014. Cantor announ... Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, reflects on the stunning primary defeat of Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, June 12, 2014. Cantor announced Wednesday that he will resign his leadership post at the end of next month, clearing the way for a potentially disruptive Republican shake-up just before midterm elections with control of Congress at stake. Boehner told reporters he's declining to take sides in the contest to replace Cantor as House majority leader. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) MORE LESS
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House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) said Thursday that he’s the most “anti-establishment speaker we’ve ever had.”

The comment came during a press conference where he was peppered with questions about his speakership and criticism from prominent conservative figures.

Boehner said it did pain him to be described as “spineless or a squish.”

“I’ll tell you what pains me the most is when they describe me as the establishment,” Boehner said. “Now, I’m the most anti-establishment speaker we’ve ever had.”

Boehner then ticked off that he’s “the guy who believes in regular order” and the guy who “believes allowing more members to participate in the process from both sides of the aisle.”

Boehner’s comments came a few days after a small group of House Republicans tried to unseat him as speaker. Boehner penalized those Republicans by removing some of them from key committees.

He’s fielded criticism from outspoken conservatives for a while. Almost a year ago the tea party-aligned Senate Conservatives Fund departed from its usual focus on the Senate and demanded Boehner be replaced with a more conservative speaker.

“I’m pretty comfortable in my own skin and I’m going to do my best to show all of our members — Democrats and Republicans — and those guys who voted against me, that I’m up to the job that I was given,” Boehner said.

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  1. “House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) said Thursday that he’s the most “anti-establishment speaker we’ve ever had.””

    John (head in hands… shakes head in disbelief) you sure as heck do not look like a hippy to me.

  2. The most alcoholic based on this stupid assertion.

  3. Avatar for mantan mantan says:

    Remember, he mows his own Ohio grass in front of cameras at election time…

  4. I’m the most anti-establishment speaker we’ve ever had…man.
    Boehner slurred as he took a long toke on a big fat doobie.

  5. That might explain why Congress has a 16 percent approval rating.

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