Speaker Tom Price? (Almost) certainly not
House Speaker Tom Price, R-Ga.?
Heaven help us, and the Republican Party, should that come to pass. Such a development would produce a mess that would make Congress of the last two years seem like a smoothly functioning machine by comparison.
Yet according to Robert Costa, writing in National Review:
“Should a debt deal go sour, the buzz is that Tom Price, a 58-year-old physician from Georgia, may challenge John Boehner for the speaker’s gavel.
“Price is the person we’re all watching,” says an aide close to House leadership. “We know he’s frustrated, but we don’t know much else.”
Would Price really make a bid to unseat Boehner? And if so, could he win? (In response to the Costa piece, Price’s spokesperson now says the congressman “is not running for speaker,” which is interesting for a couple of reasons. One is its use of present tense rather than future tense; i.e. “is not running” vs. “will not run.” Nobody suggested that he “is” running. And in an interview with Costa earlier, Price himself had apparently refused to confirm or deny a possible challenge. That would have been the time to stop the rumor dead, had he wanted to do so.)
As I noted in my previous post, former Speaker Newt Gingrich estimates that a budget deal will require 120-140 Democratic votes to pass the House. In other words, Gingrich believes that more than half the Republicans will buck their leadership and refuse to vote for a final deal, which strikes me as a pretty accurate assessment.
The question is, will that be enough? Will conservative congressional Republicans be satisfied by casting personal votes of “no” against tax hikes, even as the hikes themselves go on to become law with the help of GOP leadership? Or, driven by an apoplectic right-wing blogosphere and a media-entertainment industry that thrives on conflict, will they whip themselves into such a frenzy that they demand the head of the man who cut the deal? In this kind of environment, talk of a challenge to Boehner was inevitable, if for no other reason than to keep the speaker on a short leash.
It also makes sense that the talk would center around Price, a conservative who represents the same congressional district once represented by Gingrich. Last month, Price was defeated in his bid for a House leadership post, losing narrowly to a more moderate candidate tacitly backed by Boehner. But he remains ambitious, and is also eying a potential primary challenge to U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss in 2014.
Even if Price lost a challenge to Boehner, the effort itself would establish his conservative credentials to a larger audience and increase his stature for a run against Chambliss. In fact, with the impending departure of Jim DeMint from the Senate, challenging and losing to Boehner over an issue of principle might make Price the leading congressional champion of the Tea Party wing of the GOP. If conservative anger at Boehner gets strong enough, it’s hard to see a downside for Price trying to unseat him.
And if Price won? It would be almost suicidal for the Republicans. Throwing Boehner overboard would cement the party’s reputation as radical and uncompromising. The base might like that fine; the mainstream voter would not. In addition, Price is a pretty grim and confrontational personality, the sort that would not wear well in the public spotlight. If Boehner’s grip on power were seriously endangered, you would probably see Price nudged aside in favor of someone like Paul Ryan.
So yes, a challenge to Boehner by Price is feasible, depending on circumstances. A successful challenge by Price is much less feasible. And a challenge to Chambliss is the most feasible of all. Because clearly, this is a congressman who sees himself going places.
– Jay Bookman
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534 comments Add your comment
Doggone/GA
December 10th, 2012
7:47 pm
“Late to that party, but “Speaker Tom Price” would be music to my ears”
Minority Leader Tom Price – would sound even better
Nero
December 10th, 2012
7:47 pm
Good one sport!
stands for decibels
December 10th, 2012
7:49 pm
suggested biopic title: “You Dumb Mofos Actually PAID for my Malware!”
getalife
December 10th, 2012
7:50 pm
JamVet,
Road blocks are like peeing in a cup.
It is not freedom.
I thought I was in Germany during the nazi era.
stands for decibels
December 10th, 2012
7:51 pm
DGA @ 7.47, that’d be the presumed result of Speaker Tom Price.
It’d be almost as awesome to behold as Republican Presidential Nominee Rick Santorum.
getalife
December 10th, 2012
7:51 pm
“Minority Leader Tom Price”
That does sound good.
getalife
December 10th, 2012
7:55 pm
” Republican Presidential Nominee Rick Santorum.”
Scary.
stands for decibels
December 10th, 2012
7:57 pm
On Lindsay “Clo’ dat closet door!” Graham’s admonition to Obama to “man up:”
forcing the rich to pay a little more in taxes is not manning up, but making middle- and working-class seniors take care of their health insurance until age 67 is.
If that’s what’s considered manly, the Rude Pundit would rather hang out with the bitches and punks.
josef
December 10th, 2012
8:06 pm
COMMON
Let’s give it a shot and see what happens….
ᎠᎵᏍᏇᏚᏬ ᏫᏍᎽᏫᎢ ᎤᎧ
josef
December 10th, 2012
8:08 pm
INDIGO
The Imam has put me in moderation, too…once, I actually deserved it…
moonbat betty
December 10th, 2012
8:13 pm
Keep dreaming, Price ain’t going to be speaker of any house.
Pelosi speaks for America, right getalife?
indigo
December 10th, 2012
8:17 pm
Doggone/GA – 6:17
I am a member of the adult crowd here.
Someday, maybe you’ll be able to join us.
I must admit, however, it’s looking like that day for you is many years in the future.
indigo
December 10th, 2012
8:18 pm
josef
Did the Iman put you in moderation once?
Or,did he put you in moderation a number of times and you only deserved it once?
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 10th, 2012
8:19 pm
josef
That one may take a while
Soothsayer
December 10th, 2012
8:19 pm
Jam: I guess grand theft auto is better than a DUI!
I don’t most people read your post. That was great!
Doggone/GA
December 10th, 2012
8:19 pm
“I am a member of the adult crowd here”
How many times have you been warned by Jay to behave? The adults here don’t get constant reminders to behave. That’s saved for the juveniles.
josef
December 10th, 2012
8:20 pm
moonbat
The only woman in public life I detest any more than that Pelosi heifer is that ill-bred Boxer cow…
wait, let me restate that…I have more respect for barnyard animals than that… and, no, no smilies here…
josef
December 10th, 2012
8:22 pm
COMMON
It does cut and paste…but it’s the way to write the word you asked for using the syllabry…
guy
December 10th, 2012
8:22 pm
granny, please go over the cliff first and see how it works!
josef
December 10th, 2012
8:24 pm
Indigo
A handful of times…only once did I deserve it…each time, though, is when I had turned right around and called one of his more favored than I the same thing they had just called me or someone else…
indigo
December 10th, 2012
8:26 pm
Doggone/GA – 8:19
You have a childish habit here of adding 1 plus 1 and getting 11.
Jay
December 10th, 2012
8:27 pm
Sometimes, Josef, the ref only sees the retaliation.
guy
December 10th, 2012
8:27 pm
getalife, too bad you and yours can’t go your own way and the rest of see how they make it on the other side! you and yours would never be bothered again by those you despise so much.
Jay
December 10th, 2012
8:28 pm
“You have a childish habit here of adding 1 plus 1 and getting 11.
hey, he’s a binary thinker.
JamVet
December 10th, 2012
8:28 pm
Sooth,
That joke cracked me up when a friend emailed it to me earlier today and I thought it might lighten the otherwise sometimes oppressive air around here!
I have voted against the spinally challenged Tom Price every time that I have seen his name on the ballot. Alas, he is as intractable as a bad stain…
josef
December 10th, 2012
8:31 pm
TORQUEMADA
And sometimes he ignores it when it’s pointed out, cited and referenced…
Jokes aside, though, you do let me get by with a lot more than others, me being, as our other martyr Wa-do Del would put it, your Little Prince… not that I don’t appreciate it mind you…
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
December 10th, 2012
8:33 pm
“And if Price won? It would be almost suicidal for the Republicans. Throwing Boehner overboard would cement the party’s reputation as radical and uncompromising. The base might like that fine; the mainstream voter would not. In addition, Price is a pretty grim and confrontational personality, the sort that would not wear well in the public spotlight.”
BOTTOM LINE:
If Bookman thinks it’s bad for Congress and the country then it’s GOT to be good for Congress and the country.
Next ………………..
moonbat betty
December 10th, 2012
8:33 pm
That’s true, the ref usually calls the foul on the retaliation.
I never understood why refs don’t take that into consideration.
Doggone/GA
December 10th, 2012
8:35 pm
“hey, he’s a binary thinker”
black or white
on or off
day or night
And when you can’t “win” the discussion – resort to insults
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
December 10th, 2012
8:39 pm
“Republicans prepare to vote Tuesday on legislation to make Michigan — a state linked to unions in the public consciousness — a right-to-work state.”
Ooo Rah ! Nothing better than freedom !
stands for decibels
December 10th, 2012
8:39 pm
The only woman in public life I detest any more than that Pelosi heifer
wha…?
What’d Pelosi ever do to you, Josef?
Oscar
December 10th, 2012
8:40 pm
That’s true, the ref usually calls the foul on the retaliation
______
Probably because the ref didn’t see the first push. Or first push did not deserve a flag but the retaliation was a lot worse. after the player should have had time to cool down.
Timing is everything.
stands for decibels
December 10th, 2012
8:40 pm
Nothing better than freedom
…to be paid sh-t wages.
Oscar
December 10th, 2012
8:42 pm
As to the GOP leadership, to paraphase the warden from Cool Hand Luke
“What we got here is a mess.”
Oscar
December 10th, 2012
8:43 pm
The worker has only two options for protection:
Unions or government.
josef
December 10th, 2012
8:45 pm
SFD
She’s just plain rude and takes pride and glory in it. Being tough is one thing. Being a b-word when it’s not necessary is another…she’s also a first rate money grubbing politician out for her own good and in the pockets of the lobbyists…oh, yeah, and she’s not above a little nepotism…just for starters…
Jay
December 10th, 2012
8:46 pm
not sure you got the joke, Dog….
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 10th, 2012
8:47 pm
I am a member of the adult crowd here.
All available evidence suggests otherwise.
moonbat betty
December 10th, 2012
8:48 pm
Yes, Oscar, but on a blog, time is always reviewable.
Doggone/GA
December 10th, 2012
8:49 pm
“not sure you got the joke, Dog”
I did. I’ve worked with computer all my working life.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
December 10th, 2012
8:50 pm
Jay: Speaker Nancy (from outer space) Pelosi?
You didn’t seem to have a problem with her !
stands for decibels
December 10th, 2012
8:51 pm
Josef, I’m not aware of her being especially rude. She doesn’t suffer fools gladly, and I’m fine with that. The dumbass who recently asked her if she should maybe consider stepping aside for a younger leader got put in his place, and deservedly so.
I also doubt her record on pork and nepotism is any more egregious than previous representatives who’ve made it to Speaker status.
but, obviously, YMMV.
barking frog
December 10th, 2012
8:52 pm
josef 8:45
so, just a run of the mill congressperson…..
stands for decibels
December 10th, 2012
8:52 pm
Speaker Nancy (from outer space)
Can someone tell me what is so out-there about pelosi, *ideologically*?
I mean, you know, other than having a vagina and whatnot.
josef
December 10th, 2012
8:58 pm
SFD
She suffers herself rather gladly!
As for her padding hers and her family’s pockets, she’s got a pretty good record there when you look into it, and, well, given that they’re all hawgs at the slop trough of the public coffer, I suppose she is one of the more “competent.” Now, as far as being the b-word when it’s called for, I applaud that. But being one when it’s not…? Nyanh…give me a Barbara Jordan or an Ann Richards n that arena…
barking frog
December 10th, 2012
8:58 pm
sfd
I think Nancy Pelosi would be a much better presidential candidate than
Hilary Clinton and without her Obamacare would have been flushed down
the drain.
stands for decibels
December 10th, 2012
8:58 pm
…Of course I’ve asked this about Nancy, before, and never received any coherent replies from the resident conservatives, so I don’t expect I’ll get any now.
for that matter, I don’t get what is so out-there in Jay’s political leanings, either. the usual suspects would have you think Jay’s the second coming of Lenin, but when you ask ‘em why, you get a lot of this.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 10th, 2012
8:58 pm
Can someone tell me what is so out-there about pelosi, *ideologically*?
Berkeley
josef
December 10th, 2012
9:00 pm
FROG
Pretty much…
stands for decibels
December 10th, 2012
9:00 pm
give me a Barbara Jordan or an Ann Richards n that arena…
??
…well, the dead *are* polite, I guess.
stands for decibels
December 10th, 2012
9:03 pm
Berkeley
SALT MARSH MOUSE!
barking frog
December 10th, 2012
9:03 pm
Kamchak
I spent a week one night in berkely and didn’t find anyone like Pelosi there…
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 10th, 2012
9:04 pm
I think Nancy Pelosi would be a much better presidential candidate than
Hilary Clinton
Neither are nationally electable.
Elizabeth Warren.
josef
December 10th, 2012
9:06 pm
FROG
Hillary has a sense of self irony and an some diplomacy…Pelosi has neither…I’m not arguing that she gets the job done, but Obamacare? One of the biggest half-as3ed measures to come down the pike yet. imeoiauo.
And, yes, you can detest someone and still give them credit for getting the job done…
barking frog
December 10th, 2012
9:06 pm
josef
i loved ann richards…that silver foot in his mouth was best political line
in history….delivery was over the top.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 10th, 2012
9:06 pm
frog
It doesn’t matter what kind of people are actually there, it’s the perception.
stands for decibels
December 10th, 2012
9:08 pm
Kam @ 9.04, dunno about Hillary Clinton not being nationally electable, but it’s worth noting that Pelosi is 7 years older; she’d be 76 in 2016, so that’s basically a nonstarter..
barking frog
December 10th, 2012
9:09 pm
josef
ever consider that it was meant to be and as getalife says just a
door opener to single payer…
stands for decibels
December 10th, 2012
9:09 pm
I’m not arguing that she gets the job done, but Obamacare?
T’weren’t Pelosi that castrated that one. It was blue dog a-holes in the Senate.
barking frog
December 10th, 2012
9:10 pm
Kamchak
Yep, my perception was altered that night….
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
December 10th, 2012
9:10 pm
decibles:
Hate to break this to you but she’s a flaming liberal.
josef
December 10th, 2012
9:10 pm
SFD
Okay, then, Dianne Feinstein, Susan Collins, Tammy Baldwin, Elizabeth Dole…there are plenty of them still alive…
stands for decibels
December 10th, 2012
9:11 pm
Anyway, gotta run. Pleasant evening, all. don’t strip any workers’ rights while I’m away.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 10th, 2012
9:12 pm
dB
Hillary is the sharpest political mind of our lifetime and she knows that she is more divisive than Obama. The entire 2008 race was about what momentum she could provide.
I believe her when she announced her retirement.
stands for decibels
December 10th, 2012
9:12 pm
and Scout, you failed to say HOW she’s a “flaming liberal,” so, you fail.
/drive-by
moonbat betty
December 10th, 2012
9:13 pm
dB,
Pelosi is a typical limosine librul.
That’s why folks don’t care for her particularly.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 10th, 2012
9:13 pm
Yep, my perception was altered that night….
Been there, smoked that.
josef
December 10th, 2012
9:17 pm
FROG
Of course I considered it…and that’s why I call it half-as3ed…either you know what or get off the pot…
and, yep, Ann Richards had class! Wouldn’t you have killed to have been privy to one of hers and Molly Ivins’ “off the record” conversations?
moonbat betty
December 10th, 2012
9:18 pm
dB,
It’s common knowledge.
barking frog
December 10th, 2012
9:19 pm
josef
can’t even imagine that kind of conversation…
josef
December 10th, 2012
9:20 pm
K’CHAK
“Hillary is the sharpest political mind of our lifetime…”
Not so sure I’d go that far, but I’d sure put her in my top ten of the current crop…
USA Patriot
December 10th, 2012
9:21 pm
Wow! One thing I can agree w/……oh, never mind. Ann Richards & Milly Ivins – at least those two ladies had class as opposed to most dems/libs on this blog, JB included.
USA Patriot
December 10th, 2012
9:23 pm
My bad, phat fingers, “Molly”…….
barking frog
December 10th, 2012
9:25 pm
Hilary Clinton got beat by a political genius the likes of which has not
been seen in my lifetime and he did it within her party then picked her up
dusted her off and restored her dignity.
moonbat betty
December 10th, 2012
9:25 pm
Hillary the sharpest political mind of our life time?
Puhleeese.
Yeah, she knows how to punk liberals good.
That’s about it.
Doggone/GA
December 10th, 2012
9:26 pm
“at least those two ladies had class as opposed to most dems/libs on this blog, JB included”
Unlike the cons who come here just eat up with class /snarc
USA Patriot
December 10th, 2012
9:29 pm
Come on Doggone, “most” doesn’t mean all. I’m disappointed, you’re one of my favorites.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 10th, 2012
9:31 pm
Yeah, she knows how to punk liberals good.
Newt Gingrich is a liberal?
Doggone/GA
December 10th, 2012
9:32 pm
“Come on Doggone, “most” doesn’t mean all. I’m disappointed, you’re one of my favorites”
WEll, thanks…but I see no point in making a post like that to begin with. I, for one, found it – shall we say – less than flattering
Brosephus™
December 10th, 2012
9:35 pm
Nothing better than freedom
…to be paid sh-t wages.
I love it how people cheer on the race to the bottom as though it’s some way of saving this country.
Oscar
December 10th, 2012
9:37 pm
I think you are right. Hillary is retiring. She will not be running.
USA Patriot
December 10th, 2012
9:38 pm
Talk about political animals, Hillary “R” Clinton (pissed off her husband got more than her) and Nancy (pass it, then let’s read it) Pelosi as pres candidates, and they both got beat by some Chicago thug community…..president???? Great!
getalife
December 10th, 2012
9:40 pm
Hillary Clinton should be our first female President.
She is competent veteran of foreign policy, fights the gop and has a 60% approval rating.
Will it happen?
No, she is retiring to make millions.
Time to get paid.
barking frog
December 10th, 2012
9:40 pm
USA Patriot
you left out Mitt….
Oscar
December 10th, 2012
9:40 pm
Don’t see any future candidates among the democrats right now.
Some for the GOP. Their problem will be having to go to far right to get the nomination, then swinging back to the middle for the general election. It can be done. But Mitt couldn’t do it.
Depends on who the dems put up.
moonbat betty
December 10th, 2012
9:40 pm
Kam, you always got something.
Funny, though.
USA Patriot
December 10th, 2012
9:41 pm
Doggone, don’t take it personally, meant to be flattering to some…….and, exclusions do apply.
USA Patriot
December 10th, 2012
9:44 pm
bf – probably right…..was just relating to the other posts here.
Get – seriously? “competent veteran of foreign policy” – doing what?
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 10th, 2012
9:44 pm
…and they both got beat by some Chicago thug community…..president????
Got beat?
Talk about a non political animal.
getalife
December 10th, 2012
9:45 pm
She gave our President a better fight than mccain and mitt.
Oscar
December 10th, 2012
9:45 pm
USA – Serving as Secretary of State
getalife
December 10th, 2012
9:47 pm
USA,
Did you just crawl out of a cave?
She served one term as SoS.
barking frog
December 10th, 2012
9:49 pm
The President as head of the party has 4 years to field a candidate,
he seems to be setting the stage and clearing the field but as to who
i don’t have a clue…
USA Patriot
December 10th, 2012
9:50 pm
Get / Oscar – again, doing what? Took up planes, fuel, microphones (not like Monica’s)……doing what?
Brosephus™
December 10th, 2012
9:51 pm
Pelosi as a presidential candidate???? Methinks somebody’s in the egg nog just a wee bit early this year.
USA Patriot
December 10th, 2012
9:53 pm
Kam, FYI!
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 10th, 2012
9:53 pm
Methinks somebody’s in the egg nog just a wee bit early this year.
It stopped being egg nog an hour ago, it’s just straight rum now.
moonbat betty
December 10th, 2012
9:56 pm
Kam, @ 9:44, did you just shart in your draws?
Brosephus™
December 10th, 2012
10:08 pm
Kam
I believe it. After reading that twice, I had to stop and think if I had any adult beverages tonight or not. That one was so far out there, hell, I thought I was the one drunk.
barking frog
December 10th, 2012
10:10 pm
Brosephus
Never underestimate a grandmother…