Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said he believes the primary goal of President Obama’s second term is to “annihilate the Republican Party.”
“Given what we heard yesterday about the president’s vision for his second term, it’s pretty clear to me that he knows he can’t do any of that as long as the House is controlled by Republicans,” Boehner said in a speech Tuesday to the Ripon Society. “So we’re expecting over the next 22 months to be the focus of this administration as they attempt to annihilate the Republican Party.
“And let me just tell you, I do believe that is their goal — to just shove us into the dustbin of history.”
Boehner’s remarks referred to Obama’s inaugural address. Republicans were hopeful Obama would use that speech to lay the groundwork for a partnership over the next four years, but he instead made it a rallying cry for an active federal government — including on such politically charged issues as climate change, gun control, gay marriage and immigration.
Boehner's speech on Tuesday was not open to the press, but the Ripon Society released a transcript and video on Wednesday with the knowledge of the Speaker's office.
While Boehner has said that immigration reform should be a priority, his remarks on Tuesday are a clear signal to Obama that his ambitious agenda on climate change and gun control, among other proposals, will face heavy resistance in the Republican-led House.
For more on Boehner's remarks, click here.
