Howard Fineman devotes his latest Newsweek column to profiling U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner.
Why? Boehner could have a shot at a more high-profile job after the November election.
Though Boehner doesn?t generate much enthusiasm among limited-government activists, Fineman?s article does offer some cause for optimism:
Ironically, Boehner was a Tea Partier well before the Tea Party. Once in Washington, he joined Newt Gingrich?s anti-establishment mujahedin, terrorizing insiders by attacking the House bank and other cushy congressional perks. Since then Boehner has compiled one of the most conservative voting records in the House. In many ways, he?s the sum of all that he?s not: He vowed to vote against earmarks and has kept his word. He?s for cutting spending (except at the Pentagon). Like most self-made businessmen, he has a conveniently constricted view of government. He hates taxes?he wants to make permanent the Bush tax cuts for the super-rich?and regulation, and downplays how government can improve people?s lives and help enterprise thrive.
Even that last little dig from Fineman could serve as a nice badge of honor for Boehner, who will likely hear nothing but criticism from Newsweek if he ever holds the House speaker?s gavel.
