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Subscribe to RSSHouse Speaker John Boehner dismissed Grover Norquist as a "random" person on Thursday despite a week's worth of frequent references to the antitax activist on Capitol Hill.
The name of Norquist, the Americans for Tax Reform president, has been on the lips of just about every political figure who's expressed frustration at his influence over Republicans, and their unflinching resistance to tax hikes in any form.
The reason is Norquist's "Taxpayer Protection Pledge," the manifesto Norquist first drafted in 1986 which opposes increases in taxes. Boehner and another 235 House members have signed the pledge, as have 41 senators. The vast majority of signatories are Republicans, and only six Republicans in each chamber haven't signed the pledge. (All of the GOP's presidential candidates but Jon Huntsman have also signed.)
But today, when asked by NBC News about Norquist's sway over the GOP conference, Boehner downplayed the relationship.
“We are doing everything we are doing to get our economy back to work. It's not often I'm asked about some random person in America," the Speaker said of Norquist.
NBC News: Random person?
"Our focus is about creating jobs, not talking about somebody's personality."
NBC News: What he stands for, is that a positive influence in your conference?
"What he stands for???"
NBC News: Yes, his no tax hikes under any circumstances pledge, is that positive for your conference?
"Listen, our conference is opposed to tax hikes because we believe tax hikes will hurt our economy and put Americans out of work."
Boehner’s reference to Norquist as a “random person” struck many on Capitol Hill as odd; privately, GOP aides will often discuss Norquist’s influence on GOP politics and admit its significance.
The test of Norquist's sway, though, will come in the next few weeks, when the bipartisan, bicameral supercommittee is set to make its recommendations as to how to achieve as much as $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction. Republican members of the panel are under pressure to agree to new revenues through tax reform, a prospect which Norquist has already decried.
Democrats and even some Republicans feel he has undue influence on deficit discussions because Republicans worry if they support any type of tax increase, Norquist’s group will attack them come election season.
Already, proponents of those kinds of reforms have begun to test the fealty of the GOP to Norquist.
Alan Simpson, the former Republican Senator from Wyoming and former co-chairman of the president’s fiscal commission said, “If Grover Norquist is now the most powerful man in America, he should run for president. There's no question about his power. And let me tell you, he has people enthralled. That's a terrible phrase. Lincoln used it. It means your mind has been captured. You're in bondage with a soul.”
Yesterday on the floor of the U.S. Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said of Norquist’s influence on Republicans: “They are in a thrall -- they're in submission to a man whose singular focus keeping taxes low for wealthy, they fear his political retribution.”
That was the second shot Reid had taken at Norquist. Earlier in the week, he said: "My Republican friends, these poor folks, are being led like puppets by Grover Norquist ... They’re giving speeches that we should compromise on our deficit, but never do they compromise on Grover Norquist. He is their leader.”
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Only thing wrong with what boehmer is saying is that cutting taxes for the rich will not create more jobs. The upper 1% already own 47% of the wealth. They need more to create jobs says mr grover & the gop. Maybe 75% of the country's wealth. But no says take over wall street.
"Bonehead Boehner" is so full of "Crazy Conservative Crap" that there is no political shovel large enough! That is fact! The "Hoodlum's On The Hill" know very well who old "Gooney Grover" is, and they know the political perils. Now "Bonehead Boehner" and "Crazy Cantor" are never going to ever want to upset "Gooney Grover." Progressive Power is very well aware of the Grover-Conservative Connection, and the poltical/economic consequences that will occur. It is political Treason that the GOP fear "Gooney Grover," and in the process, destroy the economic structures of our nation. "Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! The Party Of No has got to go!"
Boner, just like his heroes Bush and Cheney, is a pathological liar.
He wants the economy to fail - simply to (hopefully) help Republicans next year.
Republican mantra: Trillions for wars - nothing for America.
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
"The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;"
The Constitution and the Oath of Office both specify the duty of Congress to the American people. Any legislator who signs and obeys a "no tax" pledge offered by Grover Norquist or anyone else, is violating their oath and the Constitution and should be impeached.
I just started crying reading your post. I had forgot about the oaths they had to take when they entered their elected offices and the sheer audacity of the republicans not honoring the oath of office is just too much for me anymore. Thank you for being so eleoquent in your post. Fan & Faved trainee-3379153. You have great skills!
Amen, trainee. America needs to walk up to the possible impeachable offenses of the GOP congress people who signed the Norquist pledge. Hopefully sooner than later.
Oh Boehner, what have you done now you little lush you?! You can always just say, "I was smashed outa my mind when I signed that thing! I can't be held responsible for doing something that stupid if I was as drunk as a skunk, can I?"
Corporate America, of the corporations, by the corporations and for the corporations, Boehner might be the speaker of the house but Norquist runs the Republican and Tea Party’s show. Mr. Boehner should not speak so about their master.
I guess we will see in 2012 how much power norquist has. I knew there was a reason I like Huntsman.
Yeah, you're probably a lesbian. Huntsman and Romney are both queer loving RINOS and its people like them that sully the Republican party. We have GOT to rid ourselves of the RINOs, queers and baby killers in this nations CONSERVATIVE party. We don't need your kind.
This guy Merle is a real hater. It's time for the FBI to check him out for terrorist plots.
For what? I haven't threatened anyone. I am just speaking the truth and you libtards don't like the facts. We DON'T need "moderates" in our party. They are nothing but sickos and they bring the Republican party down. Its time to fact the facts, buddy boy. Americans agree with me. Things are changing.
Here is something everyone should know about Merle-986131.......
This incident (if true) has scarred Merle-986131's perception of his own manhood significantly. His thoughts, words, and actions are now driven by a sort of PTSD reaction developed to compensate for his realization that he is attractive (possibly vulnerable) to homosexuals.
He is best ignored. We can only hope he seeks professional counseling.
merli pearli
ure momma ever sit you down
and give you common sense reasoning
it is better to keep ure mouth shut
and let people think ure stupid
than to open it and remove all doubt
Why doesn't Boehner get prosecuted like other white collar criminals?
Who cares .....
A random individual? John Boehner is a tool... and a liar, not a very good one either. Grover is a tool also. But 243 representatives & 41 Senators swore an oath to him that supercedes their oath of office........ never under any circumstances to raise a penny of revenue, even though we have the lowest tax rate in 70 years & a financial crisis brought about by the irresponsible, ill advised tax breaks for the wealthy, unfunded corporate giveaways like Medicare part D & unfunded wars of the previous administration. What is his threat that holds them all hostage? That the TP/Koch billions will be used to replace them in the next election if they don't do exactly as they are told.
For the Speaker of the House to say that Grover Norquist is just some random person is not only a lie. It is also an attempt to downplay and distract the fact that every and anyone who signed this pledge. Is knowingly going against the Constitution of the United States of America and they should be held accountable for their actions. The reason why I state this is because while serving in the military for 20 years. I can just see me disobeying an order from my commander. Claiming that it goes against my pledge to ole'Grover. Yeah right and after that treasonous act please send all of my belongins to Ft. Leavenworth please... After all if these congressmen and women are servants of the people. Then surely the Constitution is the Law of the land. And nowhere in the Constitution is it written that pledges to some random person (G. Nordquist) is to be honored before and above the Constitution itself. Again I call the GOP no only two-faced but three-faced liars and hypocrytes as well. And what's even more worst than these folks are the people who support them. Shame on the whole lot of you...
Come next election please vote and vote for what's best for all Americans. Not just one certain party or group...
You should be ashamed to speak ill of a man who is trying to FIX this nation. The Tea Party pledge is designed to keep politicians in line and from taxing us all to death. Norquist is doing a good job.
And you should be ashamed of yourself defending anyone who puts their pledge before the Constitution of the United States of America...
Tax hikes will cost Americans jobs, John? More like it that spending cuts will cost jobs...
"Focused on jobs." Are you kidding? Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! That was the GOP call last November. All we have seen out of this Me Party congress has been social engineering and corporate wefare.
OK, where would the U.S. be if the Demos. responded to every Repub." absolutely no new taxes!" with "Fine, no cuts in entitlements!" like a coupla stubborn kids TRYING to have an argument.
We need to back off entitlements (promises no politician has to keep) and raise/level taxes AND cut spending. We have over 50% of the world's military budget, we pay TWICE what the rest of the 1st world does for health care delivery and we still want wide-open capitalism (plunder and lie). Meanwhile all our stats keep slipping - education, longevity, standard of living, infant mortality, environment, savings. India will be the next China.
Re Norquist and the Repubs.: anytime you put a stake in the sand, your opponent has the advantage 'cuz you're stuck in one place while he is free to move to better advantage. Protect the rich and say it's good for all of us; that works until the rest are doing so poor that they get crazy and swing the pendulum at you!
Who is Grover Norquist ? indeed who is Norquist? He is an overweight, overbearing. over reaching dude who has captured the minds of the heathen living and working in DC and calling themselves Republicans.
Who is John Boehner? Indeed who is John Boehner? He is a teary eyed dude with many years in the House who is now just two heart beats away from the BIG job. But is he qualified ? Is he capable? I mean to be Mr. Speaker ? What exactly has he done that qualifies him for this important position? Not much before and damn little since is advancement to Speaker.
This dude is so devoid of the real purpose and power of the office he makes what's her name ? Nasty Palooka look almost sane. He has yet to provide true leadership, he has yet to lead, he has yet to accomplish anything of importance. Oh yeah a bill here and there but anything useful or permanent?
Trifles, I say trifles.
How about this cry baby leader (Speaker) convene the House into a question Obama session ? Maybe under oath (and I am saying MAYBE UNDER OATH) he might answer serious questions which he refuses to answer about his access to money, his true place of birth, his association with some of America's most destructive people, his college grades , his association with Larry Sinclair, his seemingly rocky relationship with his wife and why he allows his mother in law to lay down the law to him as to what are proper policies for him to promote? And why is it he never speaks about his mother as he does his father?
And where are the girl friends he might have had in college? After all, a good looking, slick dresser, very articulate must have appealed to some female along the way. Or is he not interested in females until he meets Michelle in a liberal law firm in Chicago, where she 'supervised' him?
There are so many things we don't know about this intruder and there are so many things we have always known about previous presidents.
Maybe he never attended the colleges he claims? Maybe he did but his grades were so remarkably low he is embarrassed by them. And why is such an articulate fellow head of a law review and never published anything? And what is his relationship with Bill ‘Fire Bomb’ Ayres? With Dorhn ? With Rezko?
I would like to know the answers to these and a dozen other questions before I let him ruin the Nation.
People who have surgery usually ask the surgeon about his past successes. Like how many people have died on the operating table? How many law suits for botched surgery have been filed against you? And similar question. They get some info about the knife wielder.
Well America today needs to know what the real story about Obama (if that is his real name) and his proclivities, his predilection’s and his foibles.
Lets' have Cry Baby Boehner ask him under oath in the House Chamber ?
Who cares about Norquist ? Fools and bigger fools. He is an abomination. Let him stew.
Ummm, does anyone happen to know how much Grover Norquist paid to buy the United States of America? I mean, he does OWN the country, right?
I pledge alliegance to Grover Norquist,
and to the corporations for which he lobbies,
One Nation--unless we have to use religion, race and resentment, to get elected,
Under God--except for that Jewish guy who said "Render unto Caesar, the things that are Caesar's," and "'When you do this for the least of mine, then you do it for me.'",
Indivisible--if Texas and South Carolina do not want to try it again,
With liberty & justice for all white, Anglo Christians.
Beohner call Grover a random person? Does that guy really believe that anyone in America will believe him. His party members all jumped on Grover's no tax increase bandwagon and they are willing to sink this country, destroy the middle class and our economy all to protect the wealthy from no tax increases.
Mr. Boehner: please give us more credit than that. Further you must come to the realization that you are not an effective leader for our country. I applaud your humble beginnings. However, somewhere along the way you have forgotten who you were sent to represent. You have left your people standing alone while you have decided that your personal career is more important than the citizens of this country. Too bad for those who support you and more importantly too bad for the rest of us.
Crying Speaker Tan Man lied twice today. Of course he lied about Norquist but he also line when he said he was focused on jobs.
Just think of all the people that think John the Boner represents them. Do they really think he is doing a good job, if they do they need to give up their social security, medicare benefits and give them to the rest of the citizens that need their social secuity and medicare to make ends meet. When you come from a state with John Boner as your representive you don't need financial help all you need to do is continure to pray to John Boner as your GOD. He will be more than happy to take your money.
From the article: "Democrats and even some Republicans feel he has undue influence on deficit discussions because Republicans worry if they support any type of tax increase, Norquist's group will attack them come election season."
So, because Americans for Tax Reform is formed as two different corporations (one is a 501c3 and the other is a 501c4) they are the same as individuals with regard to campaign contributions. Now, because they can dump millions of dollars into elections to defeat Republicans who step out of line, the Republicans are running scared. Is it just me, or does this sound like a live by the sword, die by the sword kind of thing??
It sounds like holding their feet to the fire to me. Good job, Grover!
Its clear from reading these posts that you are almost all socialists who don't appreciate the efforts of Grover Norquist on behalf of this nation. He and the House republicans are trying desperately to save this nation from the likes of you people. He WILL succeed and you will all live to thank him for his efforts. Its sad to see queer loving socialists and marxists so prevalent in Newsvine. I wonder where the REAL conservatives are today. You people will eventually thank us when we finally get this nation back on track. Its time to end foolish talk of "same sex marriage" (there is no such thing) and abortion "rights" (also no such thing) and begin talking about issues that are actually supported by Christian values and patriotism.
Lol Grover has never done anything but look out for numero uno... himself. He's made it his goal in life to protect his inherited wealth, and the inherited wealth of thousands of doughey pantloads such as himself. The guy's a @!$%#ing loser.
Merle, give up. Abortion is not in the Bible, people will continue to love each other, Jesus was a bleeding heart liberal like me (Yeah for our side).
Poverty is a weapon of mass destruction.
This is a pull forward message from post 98.6 to Merle- 986131 : Sorry to all, but appropriate at this time:
Merle-986131 ........ On what planet is 'Teabagger Nation' being founded?
Last I checked, most of the poles and media front page, in the US, reflects something completely different different.
Merle-986131 - Me thinks your on a sinking ship!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Merle,
Your hero Grover is only once removed from the Terrorist financing that caused 911.
You may want to investigate that before you make aa fool out of yoursef completely.
slighlyold,you are right,Jesus must have been a liberal.He healed the sick,fed the hungry had compassion,something the Republican Party knows nothing about.
Sure, why not have NO taxes and no country while we're at it?
If the 99 want to march on anyone try Norquist, Boehner, McConnell, Cantor, Fox News, Koch Brothers just to start. They should show their disapproval to those who control the purse strings and holding the 99% hostage. They are sabotaging this country in order to get Obama out of office. People please go out and tell everyone to vote and get these people out of office. We need to make these people part of the 99% and see if they like it.
I would ordinarily agree with Boehner, but there's a flaw in his reasoning if he's suggesting that Norquist is unimportant simply because Norquist does not hold elected office. Some of the most important roles held in politics are not held by elected persons (for instance, the media, the pollsters, etc).
It would be a mistake to dismiss someone simply because they don't hold elective office. But yes, Norquist has too big an ego.
IronKnucle, don't forget Carl Rove.
The 99% need to march and protest on these people Norquist, Boehner, McConnell, Cantor, the Koch Brothers. These people are willing to let the 99% suffer as long as President Obama don't get back into office. I believe everyone has to answer to a higher power, even if they don't believe it exist. I only hope what doesn't kill us will make us stronger. But these people along with the tea party the other republicans, Lieberman and democrat (that's a laugh) Ben Nelson I hope all of them are voted out of office. They care more about money and their power and not the 99% and the children they are hurting. Even if you starve and make adults homeless, unemployed how can you hurt little children. They don't like abortion, but they do like killing babies, toddlers and little children by making them suffer by starving them to death or freezing them to death during the winter. You republicans must be so proud of yourselves.