Jon Karl Laments: Conservatives ‘Made Boehner’s Life as Speaker a Political Hell’
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PELOSI: “God bless you, Speaker Boehner.”
KARL (voice-over): “It was the Tea Party wave in 2010 that made John Boehner speaker of the House. He had spoken their language in the fight over ObamaCare.”
BOEHNER: “Hell no, you can’t.”
KARL (voice-over): “Hell no soon became the de facto motto of the House conservatives, who often made Boehner’s life as speaker a political hell and ultimately did him in. He faced an ugly fight just to keep his job.”
BOEHNER: “And this turmoil that’s been churning now for a couple of months is not good for the members and it’s not good for the institution.”
RUBIO: “Speaker Boehner announced that he will be resigning.” (Applause)
KARL (voice-over): “At a forum of conservative voters in Washington Friday, Boehner’s resignation got a standing ovation, the same anti-establishment forces that are shaking up Congress have also up-ended the race for the White House. The surest way for Republicans running for president to gain points is by slamming Republicans running Congress.”
TRUMP: “They get elected. They’re full of vim and vigor. They’re going to change things. They come down to these magnificent vaulted ceilings that you see all over Washington and what happens? They become different people.”
KARL (voice-over): “Ultimately, John Boehner was the top leader in a Congress unwilling to be led.”
COLBERT: “I’m not surprised the Pope inspired Boehner to resign. It must have been difficult for the Republican leader to sit there and watch someone whose followers actually listen to him.”
KARL (voice-over): “The visit of Pope Francis was the emotional high point of Boehner’s tenure. The former altar boy had been trying to get a pope to address Congress for 20 years.”
BOEHNER: “I have the high privilege and the distinct honor of presenting to you, Pope Francis of the Holy See.” (Applause)
KARL (voice-over): “It was also the moment that prompted his big decision.”
BOEHNER: “I woke up and I said my prayers, as I always do, and I decided, you know, today is the day I’m going to do this.”
KARL (voice-over): “After announcing his resignation, Boehner seemed a changed man. -- And why not sing? The challenge of leading that unruly Republican majority will soon be someone else’s problem.”
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