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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2010 > April > 21 > Entry
Editorial: Facing big year, Boehner best pick in primary
2010 ELECTION
By next year, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives might be a local guy. John Boehner, of West Chester, represents the western Miami Valley (the counties along the Indiana border) and Miami County and parts of east Dayton and Huber Heights.
He is leader of the House Republicans, who are expected to gain a lot of seats in November, perhaps reaching a majority. If that happens, their leader becomes speaker.
He will have come a long way from 1990, when he was first elected to Congress, insisting that he was not a “politician.”
Whatever one thinks of Rep. Boehner, having a speaker from here would be an important thing. How much good a speaker can do for his state is often exaggerated, and he long ago swore off bringing home federal “earmarks. Still, pretty cool.
Rep. Boehner faces a primary on May 4, but no real scare. His opponents have no background in politics, no support to speak of, no name recognition and no issues likely to play very well with the conservative primary voters in that conservative district.
Thomas McMasters, of Huber Heights, is a retired Air Force officer and father of five. He voted for Barack Obama in 2008. He has always wanted to run for Congress; there was nothing about Boehner or the district or this year that particularly beckoned him.
He has said he considered filing as a Democrat. Although he finally decided he has more in common with Republicans on spending issues, he says the party goes astray when it sticks with a Reaganesque approach to the issues. He has difficulty articulating a political philosophy that helps you to guess where he’d be on future controversies.
The third candidate is Manfred Schreyer, of Preble County, who grew up in Germany and has worked in telecommunications and as a pastor. He now owns a cafe.
He’s critical of Rep. Boehner’s alleged coziness with Wall Street and his support of the bailout and the North American Free Trade Agreement. He says the incumbent’s rigidity on health care led to bad legislation. He embraces the word “moderate.”
Whether the Republican Party in the 8th really has a non-conservative faction is doubtful. It if does, that faction needs to put up candidates with better credentials. Otherwise, John Boehner remains the party’s logical choice.
He has been known to do the right thing in difficult situations, most specifically on the unpopular but necessary bank bailout. Also, before he became speaker, he helped lead the effort to pass No Child Left Behind.
As a rule, though, he is hyper-conservative and too partisan. He eagerly stokes the partisanship that has become one of the country’s debilitating problems.
If Rep. Boehner does become speaker, things have to change. He and the Democrats need to constrain their partisan tendencies. That would be a heck of a challenge for both.
For the Republicans, the risk would be infuriating a base that seems on guard as never before against any sign of meeting the other side half way.
Rep. Boehner wouldn’t be any less likely to rise to the occasion than any other Republican who gets mentioned as a possible speaker. If somebody is to be put to the test, having that somebody be from Ohio wouldn’t be all bad.
(Endorsement letters submitted by the candidates are here.)
Permalink | Comments (28) | Post your comment | Categories: 2010 endorsements, Editorials, Locals in national affairs, Miami Valley Politics, National Politics
Comments
By kenny
April 21, 2010 10:34 AM | Link to this
“As a rule, though, he is hyper-conservative and too partisan. He eagerly stokes the partisanship that has become one of the country’s debilitating problems.” Yet, you still want us to vote for him. How much sense does that make?
By NCF
April 21, 2010 11:36 AM | Link to this
“If Rep. Boehner does become speaker, things have to change. He and the Democrats need to constrain their partisan tendencies. That would be a heck of a challenge for both.” Why not apply that to the current Speaker?
By EyeFob
April 21, 2010 11:58 AM | Link to this
Boehner is a joke and was an embarassment to Ohio during the Health Care Reform debacle. Yeah, 20 years ago he wasn’t a politician, but now, he’s just another career politician that will swing whichever way the money blows.
By Jon
April 21, 2010 12:27 PM | Link to this
Boehner is a nothing more than a career politician who simply enjoys the perks of the office he holds and all the fundraising golf outings. Boehner is represents everything that is wrong with members of congress.
By mayhem
April 21, 2010 12:59 PM | Link to this
As much as I love a hometown hero, I will not be voting for The Great Orange One this time around. Instead of integrity in his eyes all I see are dollar signs. Give someone else a chance to represent the Miami Valley. Can’t do any worse!
By scoobydo
April 21, 2010 2:27 PM | Link to this
Here is your answer, and in the Tan Mans own words, “Hell No”. That sums up Mr Boehner. Ha has had many chances to “rise to the occasion” and has done nothing of the kind, being too worried about the size of the room, if there is lights, or what kind of table it is. You want to see one huge partisan hack as a speaker, then he is your man, if you want the gov to actually get something done, then he is not. Remember, Republicans have voted together to block Democrats’ attempts to pass legislation more often than any Congress in history. On December 18, Republicans broke the modern-day record for the most filibusters in history, And he was a big part in the last failed eight years of fiscal ill responsibility. Boehner is nothing more than an empty suit looking for a tanning bed or a golf course, not supporting his district.
By fed up
April 21, 2010 4:24 PM | Link to this
Boehner is the most crooked man in politics. na na na na…na na na na…hey Boehner bye bye
By John Boehner
April 21, 2010 6:14 PM | Link to this
HELL NO YOU CAN’T!
By Confused
April 21, 2010 7:22 PM | Link to this
Scoobydo, are you crazy? How can a minority party be “obstructionist” when they have like a 40 seat disadvantage? You should’ve paid more attention in school. They filabuster in the SENATE…not the house. Democrats have controlled congress since 2006, again…would’ve served you well to pay more attention when you were in school.
By Confused
April 21, 2010 7:23 PM | Link to this
Scoobydo, are you crazy? How can a minority party be “obstructionist” when they have like a 40 seat disadvantage? You should’ve paid more attention in school. They filabuster in the SENATE…not the house. Democrats have controlled congress since 2006, again…would’ve served you well to pay more attention when you were in school.
By Confused
April 21, 2010 7:24 PM | Link to this
Scoobydo, are you crazy? How can a minority party be “obstructionist” when they have like a 40 seat disadvantage? You should’ve paid more attention in school. They filabuster in the SENATE…not the house. Democrats have controlled congress since 2006, again…would’ve served you well to pay more attention when you were in school.
By Martin Gottlieb
April 21, 2010 7:31 PM | Link to this
HELL YES I’M DRUNK WHEN WRITING!
By Tom McMasters tfmsview
April 22, 2010 12:24 AM | Link to this
Given my intention to become the Republican Candidate for the 8th Congressional district while spending less than $3000, I appreciate Dayton Daily news publishing my name. I won’t even argue with the accuracy of the information presented about my candidacy. Except concerning this quote “He has difficulty articulating a political philosophy that helps you to guess where he’d be on future controversies.” I offer the articles on my website as a better source for insight about my political philosophy instead of this article’s summary of the 60 minute conversation Mr. Schreyer and I shared with the editors. If you read my articles and think they add to the political discussion please relay this to the editors. I could use your request asking them to read my positions. You can find my website and extensive articles by searching for tfmsview , I need your help publicizing my campaign because I don’t ask for or accept campaign donations
By Original Bill
April 22, 2010 8:46 AM | Link to this
I wish you all the luck in the world Mr. McMasters though if elected your attitude will quickly change on accepting contributions. With 11,195 corporate lobbyists pounding the halls of Congress day and night with money streaming from every pocket it will be a herculean task to reject their advances. Just look at boehner. He managed to prostitute himself to the drug industry for a paltry $2.7 million and that was just one issue. Lobbyists have already given $473 million to politicians this year
By Alice
April 22, 2010 11:42 AM | Link to this
There’s little to no advantage to having a local guy as speaker but it would be “pretty cool”? Yes, that’s what I base my vote on - how cool it is.
By RedHawkRick
April 22, 2010 1:58 PM | Link to this
If John Boehner wins easily, you can assume the Tea Party is just a bunch of people having a good time waving signs and wearing funny hats.
By RedHawkRick
April 22, 2010 2:00 PM | Link to this
If John Boehner wins easily, you can assume the Tea Party is just a bunch of people having a good time waving signs and wearing funny hats.
By momof2
April 22, 2010 3:31 PM | Link to this
So, according to the DDN, it’s OK to have a partisan hack with no real ideas as Speaker of the House, as long as he is from Ohio? If he becomes Speaker, I’ll be embarrassed to say I’m from Ohio.
By momof2
April 22, 2010 3:33 PM | Link to this
So, according to the DDN, it’s OK to have a partisan hack with no real ideas as Speaker of the House, as long as he is from Ohio? If he becomes Speaker, I’ll be embarrassed to say I’m from Ohio.
By momof2
April 22, 2010 3:35 PM | Link to this
So, according to the DDN, it’s OK to have a partisan hack with no real ideas as Speaker of the House, as long as he is from Ohio? If he becomes Speaker, I’ll be embarrassed to say I’m from Ohio.
By had more than enough
April 22, 2010 3:39 PM | Link to this
I’d just like to say one thing to John Boehner: “HELL NO YOU CAN’T!”
By momof2
April 22, 2010 3:39 PM | Link to this
So, according to the DDN, it’s OK to have a partisan hack with no real ideas as Speaker of the House, as long as he is from Ohio? If he becomes Speaker, I’ll be embarrassed to say I’m from Ohio.
By momof2
April 22, 2010 3:41 PM | Link to this
So, according to the DDN, it’s OK to have a partisan hack with no real ideas as Speaker of the House, as long as he is from Ohio? If he becomes Speaker, I’ll be embarrassed to say I’m from Ohio.
By momof2
April 22, 2010 3:43 PM | Link to this
So, according to the DDN, it’s OK to have a partisan hack with no real ideas as Speaker of the House, as long as he is from Ohio? If he becomes Speaker, I’ll be embarrassed to say I’m from Ohio.
By James
April 23, 2010 2:04 AM | Link to this
I hope you people in John Boehner district, vote someone better then him. All I seen and herd from him is No! Maybe, he will give the hold country to corporations, and we all will be slaves to these corporations.[Republicans want cheap labor.] Republicans call out for freedom, yet passes laws that restrict our freedom. Now I must carry papers stating I am US citizen when I go to Arizona, and maybe at the National level, they want to do the same thing.
By No Boehner
April 23, 2010 3:08 PM | Link to this
People thinking of voting for Boehner need to examine his voting record. The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act to give payroll tax relief to employers who hire unemployed workers and extend deductions for small businesses-no; Jobs for Main St. Act-no; Pay As You Go-no; Permanent Estate Tax Relief for Families, Farmers, and Small Business Act-no; Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act to enhance Security and protect against terrorism against chemical facilitird-no. He’s voted agaisnt jobs, against tax cuts for small businesses, against tax cuts for families, and against protection against terrrorism.
By Bob Ervin
April 24, 2010 1:34 PM | Link to this
Boehner hasn’t any integrity. He screams socialism. He knows what socialism is and is not, and the socialist can’t figure out his definition of socialism. Boehner knows Health Care Reform is not socialism. What he and the Republican Party count on is votes of gullible people who know nothing, except what Fox News tells them. Then a few days ago, Boehner gave his feedback on President Obama’s address to Wall Street. I listened to the entire address and Obama didn’t say any of the stuff, Boehner accused him of saying, but Boehner is obviously very fond of his own ego. Then, after the banking interests exploits the ignorance of the public, he shows up at a banker’s meeting, promising to stand in the way of regulation. But Boehner serves well his party of limitations and reasons why something can’t be done.
By Bob Ervin
April 24, 2010 1:34 PM | Link to this
Boehner hasn’t any integrity. He screams socialism. He knows what socialism is and is not, and the socialist can’t figure out his definition of socialism. Boehner knows Health Care Reform is not socialism. What he and the Republican Party count on is votes of gullible people who know nothing, except what Fox News tells them. Then a few days ago, Boehner gave his feedback on President Obama’s address to Wall Street. I listened to the entire address and Obama didn’t say any of the stuff, Boehner accused him of saying, but Boehner is obviously very fond of his own ego. Then, after the banking interests exploits the ignorance of the public, he shows up at a banker’s meeting, promising to stand in the way of regulation. But Boehner serves well his party of limitations and reasons why something can’t be done.