House Republicans display
massive defiance of Boehner
Almost two-thirds of House Republicans voted against their majority leader, John Boehner, on the deal that ended the federal shutdown with virtually no concessions from chortling Democrats.

Boehner led 87 of 231 House Republicans to join with a solid Democratic block in passing the bill that was quickly signed by President Obama. The GOP hardliners were defeated by the Wall Street doomsayers who applied pressure on Congress to avert a default irrespective of any other concerns, no matter how important.

Boehner took a calculated risk by playing along with the financial interests, evidently believing that with their support he will retain his leadership position in the next session of Congress which begins in January. However, with two-thirds of House Republicans voting against Boehner, his rivals are already jockeying to take his place. It remains to be seen who will emerge as a serious threat to his leadership.

Many observers are commenting on the fault line running through the House GOP. A possible result is that those who voted against Boehner and Obama will find a leader closer to their point of view than to that of the one-third of Republicans who sided with Wall Street and the White House.