Should John Boehner Address This With His Party?

[Tennesseer]

In his interview with John Boehner, NBC's Brian Williams got the new House speaker to react to today's outburst by a birther in the House gallery during the reading of the Constitution.

Williams: I'm curious as to how much responsibility you feel specifically because of something that happened this morning. During the reading of the Constitution, Congressman Frank Pallone of New Jersey, was reading a portion of the document, interrupted by someone who heckled from within the chamber. It was to express doubt over the president's American citizenship. Provided you believe the president is an American citizen, you've got 12 members co-sponsoring legislation that does about the same thing, it expresses doubt. Would you be willing to say, "This is a distraction, I've looked at it to my satisfaction. Let's move on"?

Boehner: The state of Hawaii has said that President Obama was born there. That's good enough for me.

Williams: Would you be willing to say that message to the 12 members in your caucus who seem to either believe otherwise or are willing to express doubt and have co-sponsored legislation?

Boehner: Brian, when you come to the Congress of the United States, there are 435 of us. We're nothing more than a slice of America. People come, regardless of party labels, they come with all kinds of beliefs and ideas. Uh it's, it's the melting pot of America. It's not up to me to tell them what to think.

firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/01/06/5778682-boehner-reacts-to-birther-outburst

[Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ]

I believe each rep in congress is entitled to free speech and also have the right to bring up any legislation they want.
This heckling business should be dealt with.

[Tennesseer]

Saviour-do you think it is a waste of our congress's time to deal with this legislation with everything else going on?

Do you think John Boehner should tell these 12 members of congress (most if not all members of his party) what he believes to be President Obama's birthplace being Hawaii?

[Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ]

I cannot say I am intimately familiar with all the protocol, but it seems that congress wastes a lot of time, and they also pass many laws that waste money.
Many members introduce bills that will never get out of committee just so they can report back to their constituents that they supported such and such a law.
I do not believe he should censor anyone.

[handyman2]

My guess is that any attempt to push any legislation through dealing with this subject if tried will simply be tabled or as they say held up in commitee. That is the best way to handle it. That way no one loses face.

[Deleted]

More stupid diversions. Let's move on.

[deziloooooo]

Boehner with his emotions and tears is full of it, typical political double step...by having those 12 congressman , as idiotic as their so called beliefs are, out there, it helps the good Speaker of the House with his prime agenda, get O'bama out, cause him problems.
The problems of the country and it's citizens, hell there are always problems, so as a typical politician he will say nothing and secretly under his breath and when no one is looking , think of thse 12 and their idiotic beliefs, and mutter, quietly mind you, "you all da man you are, go for it ". ,

[dmsm]

The fact that some still believe the birther crap shows the level of ignorance out there. No cure for that imo.

[deziloooooo]

It really doesn't bother me as those who believe it or just spout it would find something else to bring up just as ludicrous..not supporters of for what ever the reason. For many I believe I know why, so it's not like they are really influencing anyone who might be on the fence as far as a supporter of.
There are other more important things over the next two years that will determine a outcome and influence those who are on the fence, are independents or who are really concerned as to where the country is headed and are keeping a open mind.
I believe there are many of that ilk.

[Value Buy]

Jan 6, 2011 18:38:09 GMT -5 deziloooooo said:

Boehner with his emotions and tears is full of it, typical political double step...by having those 12 congressman , as idiotic as their so called beliefs are, out there, it helps the good Speaker of the House with his prime agenda, get O'bama out, cause him problems.
The problems of the country and it's citizens, hell there are always problems, so as a typical politician he will say nothing and secretly under his breath and when no one is looking , think of thse 12 and their idiotic beliefs, and mutter, quietly mind you, "you all da man you are, go for it ". ,

Double step? Or double speak?
Dezi, do you ever shed tears in an emotional situation?
I do, and not afraid to admit it. Neither is Boehner.
Are there any members of Congress on the Democratic ticket that are totally out in leftfield away from the mainstream?
Did Pelosi keep them in check?
No, but then again, she lead the way.......

[billisonboard]

"Did Pelosi keep them in check?"

Yes.

According to Pelosi, Impeachment Proceedings Are “Off the Table”Aug 31, 2008 ... According to Pelosi, Impeachment Proceedings Are “Off the Table” ... and since the Bush administration refuses to cooperate, there's nothing ...
www.thenewamerican.com/.../264-according-to-pelosi-impeachment-proceedings-are-off-the-table

[Value Buy]

Jan 7, 2011 11:05:33 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

"Did Pelosi keep them in check?"

Yes.

According to Pelosi, Impeachment Proceedings Are “Off the Table”Aug 31, 2008 ... According to Pelosi, Impeachment Proceedings Are “Off the Table” ... and since the Bush administration refuses to cooperate, there's nothing ...
www.thenewamerican.com/.../264-according-to-pelosi-impeachment-proceedings-are-off-the-table

I disagree. Obamacare was passed. They were out of control

[billisonboard]

Health Care Reform is a legitimate policy issue disagreement. The topic here is "...members of Congress ...totally out in left(or right) field away from the mainstream". Boehner easily could have said that the birthers need to let it go. He did not.

[rockon]

Wouldn't it be great if this seemingly large hurdle could be cleared up right here on this thread? I personally don't have enough information to know if this is a legitimate issue so let's start with some very basics questions before we make accusations....

1- What specific law details the procedure of this requirement?
2- What specific document(s) are required under this law?
3- Who reviews and approves these documents?
4- Can or should the public be allowed to inspect them under FOIA?

[billisonboard]

Jan 7, 2011 12:29:47 GMT -5 rockon said:

Wouldn't it be great if this seemingly large hurdle could be cleared up right here on this thread? I personally don't have enough information to know if this is a legitimate issue so let's start with some very basics questions before we make accusations....

1- What specific law details the procedure of this requirement?
2- What specific document(s) are required under this law?
3- Who reviews and approves these documents?
4- Can or should the public be allowed to inspect them under FOIA?

When it comes right down to it, it is a state by state issue. There are no federal elections in this country. What most people think of as a vote for president is actually a vote for a slate of electors from your state who will meet and cast votes for a person to be president.

[rockon]

So there could be different qualifications in different states?

[deziloooooo]

"I disagree. Obamacare was passed. They were out of control "
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
As billison points out, "ObamaCare" as you phrase it, that is a legitimate issue that was introduced.

That you have a problem with it , that your side so to speak, lost out on that issue has nothing to do with the BS that those 12 are espousing and yes Pelosi AND the President DID put a kibosh on similar types in THEIR party, hard put downs, PUBLICLY by the way, that type of ideas and motions would NOT be tolerated.

That is the problem with the other side and yourself, your so into the anti for what ever reason that you continue on the same tac..unable to get over your feelings, just wanting to battle over the same old, same old for reasons just to get a replacement when we are faced with such problems, the only way out of them is dialog yet you , who have no power as I don't either, are not interested in that and your spokesman , the new leader of the house, majority Chairman, who does have the clout to make changes , actually feels as you do.

So for the next two years we are faced with the same BS they gave us for the past two years, NO, NO, NO..answer to all most ever thing.

[verrip1]

I thought all you libs wanted diversity? I see, only selective diversity. You seem to want Republicans to be carbon copies of each other.

I wonder where people get the feeling that Boehner was elected Emperor? Perhaps it was 4 years of watching the imperious Pelosi rule with an iron boot. No, it is not Boehner's job as Speaker to run an inquisition of his Party, and it's only a political wet dream to think that he wants to.

Boehner's the kind of old school Republican who is filling space as the Republican Party moves forward. He'll be an adequate steward, but has no credentials for being an ideological icon. He is not a Thaddeus Stevens.

[rockon]

Interesting post by Billionsboard noting that each state could have individual qualification requirements. So whether or not there is any legitimacy could depend on the laws in the state one lives in? As usual there is a lot more to this story then appears on the surface. It has seemed very strange to me from the beginning why someone from the Whitehouse didn't just call a press conference and state the exact law, show the corresponding documents and put the story to bed instead of "lawyering up" and trying to avoid the questions. Maybe the real problem is that there is not a specific procedure or protocol for qualifying?

[deziloooooo]

Jan 7, 2011 12:45:36 GMT -5 verrip1 said:

I thought all you libs wanted diversity? I see, only selective diversity. You seem to want Republicans to be carbon copies of each other.

quote]
----------------------------------------------------------------
, sorry about that , but lets be real...Democrats, the left, the ultra left..all reasonable people know "carbon copies of each other", that is just not going to happen.
That side is so diverse from ultra left to middle to a bit right..but on the other side? " carbon copies of each other." Yeah , for the most part and admitted by them...
Yes they march to the same drummer, and here no one , ok , I and many others, are not asking for a publick slap down, just a behind the scenes admonishing.."enough with this not born in US crap already, we have seriouse things to deal with", but as I have said and say again, the new Chairman, anything to be a Diss against the man, it's fine with him , so as said before, two more years of this crap.

[verrip1]

There you go! The Republican haters just can't fathom that there is any difference in ideology between Republicans.

Makes it easier to form vapid generalities that way, I suppose.

[Deleted]

Two more years of this CRAP??? Dezi-- the people have spoken. That cannot be denied. As for Boehner-- I think it is cool when he gets emotional. Not normal, maybe, according to what people think MEN should be, how they should ACT..... but... aren't liberals all about equality, and all of that stuff?? If so-- what is so wrong, in the eyes of liberals, that Boehner shows signs of emotion?? The man came from a HUGE family, was POOR, worked in a bar when he was a little kid to make money-- now he is speaker of the house of the USA. That brings tears to MY eyes-- just thinking of the hard work involved, the history of the man.
SO-- you guys go ion and tease Boehner-- I think he is awesome. Just like I admire Marco Rubio-- I love self made men. This country NEEDS self-made men and women.
I already commented on the birther issue, no need to say more. Obama was LESS qualified to be POTUS than Palin, and not even in the same ball park with McCain-- but it is what it is. He is POTUS, and THAT IS THAT. The videos I saw during the campaign of his relatives in Kenya describing his birth, in Kenya------ that was........... WHAT?? Who knows. Does not matter now. Let's move on.
I am going to enjoy watching Boehner work, much more than Pelosi.

[deziloooooo]

"the people have spoken."
-------------------------------------------------
They have spoken but the question can be asked..what were they saying.
They are not happy with the unemployment in the country, the lack of jobs, the problems of the financial, their losing their homes, the wars we are in, one almost over yet another that we are going to be in for years even though the POTUS is not happy we are there but is caught tween the rock and the hard place.

There saying to the other side , we are giving you a shot, you have two years to get your act together , lets give you a opening a stronger voice , show us a improvement, {seems that message from statements and the beginning moves , not to have been heard, IMO} and as far as putting "Boehner" on a pedestal?

I suggest just watch him , judge his actions, as a man and a leader , hold off the adoration... "I think he is awesome"..come on gal, your to smart for that, you have been around..three /four speeches and your in "Love"...

[billisonboard]

Jan 7, 2011 12:57:16 GMT -5 rockon said:

Interesting post by Billionsboard noting that each state could have individual qualification requirements. So whether or not there is any legitimacy could depend on the laws in the state one lives in? As usual there is a lot more to this story then appears on the surface. It has seemed very strange to me from the beginning why someone from the Whitehouse didn't just call a press conference and state the exact law, show the corresponding documents and put the story to bed instead of "lawyering up" and trying to avoid the questions. Maybe the real problem is that there is not a specific procedure or protocol for qualifying?

IM(not so)HO, the Supreme Court would reject any additions or subtractions from the very basic qualifications listed in the US Constitution. What could be different is the proof required by each state to show that the basic qualification has been met. I think that unless a state set up some draconian requirement the Supremes wouldn't get themselves involved. There is no constitutional provision for Congress to do anything other than count the votes received from the states. I think that any attempt to void the results received from a particular state or states would be overridden by the Supremes.

[billisonboard]

"Maybe the real problem is that there is not a specific procedure or protocol for qualifying?"

I think that the current system in place is adequate. Someone puts himself or herself up as qualified. Anyone and everyone can question it. The American people decide. The alternative is that some government official has the final word. That would not be my preference.

[Deleted]

Hush, Dezi!! Right now!! I am no idiot. I have been watching closely for 3 years now. No WAY JB can be worse than Pelosi. That woman is from hell, I tell ya. Sits with her kids and grandchildren, dares to TRY to see the Pope in sacred chambers, and laughs all the way to the party plane. I am GLAD her time is up. .................................................. Don't make me post all the costs of her party plane excursions..... Boehnor has said he is going to fly commercial. Good for him.
(smiley face)

[deziloooooo]

"Boehnor has said he is going to fly commercial. Good for him"

{For you..why problem with smileys..look to right on the quick reply , the box , they are all there.
Then after posting..go back in and they are there too. On top and more on th left.

[Deleted]

LOL-- I know, Dez-- I just always forget and post from the bottom. I'm lazy.....
(smiley face)

[Deleted]

[Deleted]

THX, Dez-- I am not used to the new format yet-- so little time to post. Plus... you know how we center right people are-- so bullheaded, huh??