On Fox News Sunday, Congressman Boehner urged President-Elect Obama to take tax hikes off the table.

Boehner also addressed Democrats' plans to strip American workers of their right to a secret ballot election in union organizing -- the so-called "card check" process. Watch the excerpts here:

Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) has been elected by his colleagues to serve as House Republican Leader in the 111th Congress.

Boehner re-elected House GOP leader

By JIM ABRAMS
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) _ House Republicans on Wednesday re-elected John Boehner as leader of their depleted ranks while putting together a more conservative team to represent them in the next, Democratic-controlled, Congress.

In Boehner's second term as House GOP leader, the Ohio Republican must deal with the aftermath of an election in which his party lost at least 20 seats. They will go into the 111th session of Congress in January with less than 180 seats in the 435-seat chamber and, for the first time in eight years, dealing with a Democratic president.

Boehner put an optimistic spin on the situation: "The months ahead will present Republicans with an unprecedented opportunity to renew our drive for smaller, more accountable government," he said.

A popular leader with solid conservative credentials, Boehner was re-elected with only a token challenge from Rep. Dan Lungren of California.

But his two chief deputies, party whip Roy Blunt of Missouri and Republican Conference chairman Adam Putnam of Florida, resigned after the election.

They were replaced by Eric Cantor of Virginia as whip and Mike Pence of Indiana as conference chair, who both ran without opposition. Both are leading members of the Republican Study Committee, the conservative caucus that now represents more than half of all House Republicans.

"I'm going to continue to be my same old conservative self," Pence said.

Still, Republicans said they would work with the incoming Obama administration and with House Democrats when possible. "We'll give the president-elect the benefit of the doubt," Boehner said. "When he is offering solutions to the American people that we are in agreement with, we'll be right there with him."

"We are going to serve as the honest opposition," said Cantor, who is in his fourth term as he rises to his party's No. 2 position.

Boehner, first elected to Congress in 1990, is a conservative who aligned himself with Newt Gingrich as Republicans fought their way back into power in 1995.

While a staunch supporter of the Bush administration on such issues as Iraq and the benefits of tax cuts, Boehner has also worked closely with Democrats. As former chairman of the committee in charge of education and labor issues, he was a key player in moving the No Child Left Behind education act and major pension reform.

Boehner narrowly defeated Blunt in January 2006 to become Republican Majority Leader, after Tom DeLay of Texas left the post. A year later, after Republicans lost their majority in the 2006 midterm elections and Illinois' Dennis Hastert gave up the speakership, Boehner assumed leadership of the party.

Republicans emerging from a five-hour party meeting generally were upbeat.

Republicans have "shed the skin of the Bush administration," said Rep. Zach Wamp of Tennessee. "Every day is a good day when you are on your way back up."

"There's nothing quite as clarifying as the wilderness," said Pence, also is in his fourth term.

The party also chose Pete Sessions of Texas to head the National Republican Congressional Committee, which is responsible for supporting Republicans running for the House. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, who headed the NRCC for the 2008 elections, withdrew from the running shortly before Wednesday's vote.

Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan was re-elected Republican Policy Committee chairman, John Carter of Texas won another term as conference secretary and Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington became the new conference vice-chair.

Separately Wednesday, the Congressional Black Caucus elected Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., to succeed Carolyn C. Kilpatrick, D-Mich., to head the group in the next Congress. The House also swore in the 42nd House member of that caucus, Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, who took the seat vacated by the death of Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones.
 

Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) was re-elected today to serve Ohio's Eighth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives for a 10th term.

WEST CHESTER, OH – Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) was re-elected today to serve Ohio's Eighth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives for a 10th term.  Boehner released the following statement:

"There's no greater honor for me than serving the residents of southwest Ohio in Congress, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue working for the families, students, seniors, and small businesses in our communities.  In these challenging times I promise to do all I can to protect taxpayers, support our troops in harm's way and our veterans here at home, and fix a broken Washington. 

"I'm also eager to work with my colleagues to implement a rapid economic recovery plan that creates new jobs and breaks our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.  My plan will grow the economy here in Ohio and across the country without raising taxes or increasing government spending.

"I'm humbled by the support I've received and look forward to keeping up the fight in Congress for the principles of freedom, opportunity, security, and individual liberty."

Boehner represents Ohio's Eighth Congressional District, which includes all of Darke, Miami and Preble counties, most of Butler and Mercer counties, and the northeastern corner of Montgomery County.

 

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Boehner visited Rite Track, a West Chester business to announce his "rapid recovery" plan. He is pushing for more jobs and tax relief to stimulate the economy.

Congressman Boehner Proposes 'Rapid Recovery'
Reported by: Deb Silverman
Email: dsilverman@wcpo.com
Web Produced By: Ian Preuth
Last Update: 3:58 pm

Republican Congressman John Boehner says Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's plan to "spread the wealth," won't solve our nation's economic problems.

Boehner visited Rite Track, a West Chester business to announce his "rapid recovery" plan. He is pushing for more jobs and tax relief to stimulate the economy.

Boehner's plan includes doubling the child tax credit from $1000 to $2000 per child. He proposes cutting small business taxes to help companies reinvest and create new jobs as well as suspending the capital gains tax for two years so people can rebuild their 401k's.

Boehner also wants to implement an energy strategy, with all forms of energy to create jobs, reduce cost, and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.

"I think Americans know that raising taxes and increasing spending and redistributing the wealth is not going to stabilize the economy and it won't create new jobs in America," said Boehner.

Boehner says it's important to create tax cuts because the tax breaks enacted after the September 11th attacks expire in 2010.

A call to Boehner's opponent, Nicholas Von Stein, has not been returned.

Congressman Boehner introduced Governor Sarah Palin at Friday's rally in West Chester.

10,000 cheer as Palin rallies crowd in West Chester Twp.
Republican vice presidential candidate visits Butler County
By Dave Greber
Staff Writer
Saturday, October 18, 2008

WEST CHESTER TWP. — GOP supporters used words like "fiery," "wound up" and "breath of fresh air" to describe the visit by Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin on Friday, Oct. 17, to Butler County.

And that was the hours before the Alaska governor took the rock concert-like stage at The Square @ Union Centre.

Arriving to the song "Eye of the Tiger," chants of "Sa-rah, Sa-rah" and introduced by U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-West Chester, Palin energized a crowd of approximately 10,000, some of whom showed up before sunrise to witness firsthand a portion of an unprecedented election season.

Michele Pelfrey said Palin "reminds me of myself" enough that the 46-year-old from New Carlisle in Clark County registered to vote for the first time in more than two decades "because I identify with her"

Diane Mason of Dayton, who attended with Pelfrey, also said she identifies with the vice presidential hopeful.

"She's got me wound up," Mason said. "I'm as wound up as I could get."

The level of enthusiasm remained high throughout Palin's 28-minute speech, which covered the topics heard throughout the past two months along the campaign trail, including the economy, job loss, alternative energy policies, the war in Iraq and helping children with disabilities.

Palin also took shots across the aisle early in her speech, associating her and Sen. John McCain's opponent Barack Obama with complaints about voter registration fraud allegations involving the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now or ACORN.

"You won't let the Buckeye state be turned into the ACORN state," Palin said.

"John Boehner is a skillful player on the national stage, a seasoned, knowledgeable lawmaker who gives our area added clout. We endorse him for re-election."

 

Boehner shows skill on a national stage
October 11, 2008
Cincinnati Enquirer Endorsement

It's been a wild ride for John Boehner during his nine terms representing Ohio's 8th District in the U.S. House. First elected in 1990, the West Chester Republican rose steadily in the GOP ranks, was bounced from a top leadership role in 1999, remade himself as a "go-to" guy on education and other major issues, worked his way back up and won a come-from-behind vote for House majority (now minority) leader in 2006.

Now, with GOP discontent brewing over the recent economic bailout vote and the possibility of losing more seats in Congress on Nov. 4, Boehner may have a fight to keep his post as minority leader. It's not a job for the faint of heart. But Boehner is nothing if not resolute and resourceful.

He's handled the ups and downs with consistently blunt candor, dry wit and sharp political instincts. Evidently, his constituents like the positions he's taken and the job he's done, as they've re-elected him by a comfortable margin every two years.

John Boehner is a skillful player on the national stage, a seasoned, knowledgeable lawmaker who gives our area added clout. We endorse him for re-election.

(Boehner's opponent is Nicholas von Stein, a Hamilton native, Air Force veteran and organizer for various progressive groups who is working on a graduate degree in political science at Miami University. He failed to respond to several requests from the Enquirer editorial board for an endorsement interview.)

Boehner entered the U.S. House as a conservative reformer on the leading edge of the '90s GOP takeover. He won kudos for working to clean up the House Bank and Post Office scandals, and has kept a reform-minded agenda ever since.

That's most evident in recent years with his intense opposition to congressional earmarks - the so-called "pork" projects lawmakers slip into various spending bills. Boehner refuses to deal in earmarks for his district. "I just don't do them," he says.

Boehner says his hard-nosed stance on a perk that most legislators love - and feel they need to impress the folks back home - "almost cost me the race" for GOP leader in early 2006. On becoming leader, he moved on a plan to add transparency and accountability to the process.

He says the rule of thumb for such spending items ought to be simple: "Does it pass the straight-face test?" That sort of plain talk is typical of Boehner's calls-'em-as-he-sees-'em frankness.

Boehner has also taken a key role in education reform, crafting the No Child Left Behind law, and in pension reform.

He generated some controversy during negotiations on the recent financial bailout, objecting during a key White House session that his House Republicans had been cut out of the process on a pre-arranged deal. The fracas that ensued led to the plan's initial rejection by the House.

Later, he uttered this now-famous line: "I don't know what games were being played at the White House yesterday to gang up on Boehner, but if they thought they were rolling me, they are kidding themselves."

Crazy, perhaps, but crazy like a fox. "He got a standing ovation (in a House GOP meeting) because he stood up to the president and (Treasury Secretary Henry) Paulson," said U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill.

Boehner aims to focus on projects such as a renewed push for the GOP's "all of the above" energy plan - oil drilling, gas, coal, nuclear, alternative and renewable sources. He argues that the tax revenues from new drilling should go directly to develop renewable and advanced energy.

"If I get a fair shot for a vote on the bill, it will pass," he says.

It would be tough to bet against him on that. John Boehner gets our endorsement for another term.

"I'm deeply honored to have the endorsement of VFW-PAC ... It has been my mission to make sure our brave men and women – fighting on our behalf – get every dime and every resource they need to defeat al Qaeda and come home safely. My commitment to our soldiers and veterans is unwavering, and I'm truly grateful for their support."

 

 

VFW-PAC Endorses Boehner for Congress

 

WEST CHESTER, OH – The Veterans of Foreign Wars Political Action Committee (VFW-PAC) has endorsed Congressman John Boehner (R – West Chester) for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. The "endorsement is based on [Boehner's] strong support for veterans, national security / defense, and military personnel issues."

"I'm deeply honored to have the endorsement of VFW-PAC," said Boehner, who as House Republican Leader has fought to provide American troops in harm's way the resources needed to succeed. "It has been my mission to make sure our brave men and women – fighting on our behalf – get every dime and every resource they need to defeat al Qaeda and come home safely. My commitment to our soldiers and veterans is unwavering, and I'm truly grateful for their support."

In the 110th Congress, Boehner rallied lawmakers to fully fund for our troops who continue to make significant progress in the war on terror, rejected politically-motivated restrictions pushed by the Democratic Majority meant to hamstring our commanders in the field, and fought for legislation helping our veterans (or families) pursue higher education after returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Boehner was also a critical voice for workable terrorist surveillance laws that provide battlefield intelligence to our troops in combat. And he led Republicans in proposing a budget that would increase funding for veterans' health care by an additional $1 billion over the Democrats' budget.

VFW-PAC, incorporated in 1979, provides the 2.2 million members of the VFW, its auxiliaries and their families with an opportunity to collectively support candidates for federal office. VFW-PAC endorses only those candidates for federal office who support our nation's veterans and stand in support of a strong national defense.

Boehner represents Ohio's Eighth Congressional District, which includes all of Darke, Miami and Preble counties, most of Butler and Mercer counties, and the northeastern corner of Montgomery County. He was first elected to Congress in 1990 and currently serves as House Republican Leader.

 

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Boehner "stood before the House Republican Convention and urged delegates to 'return to our roots, reclaiming our mantle as the party of reform.'"

Boehner takes central role on convention's stage

By Jessica Wehrman
Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 03, 2008

ST. PAUL, Minn. — House Minority Leader John Boehner Tuesday, Sept. 2, stood before the House Republican Convention and urged delegates to "return to our roots, reclaiming our mantle as the party of reform."

"Washington today is broken," he said. "And the Democratic Congress is its most visible symbol."

The reformer refrain is one he's sung since 1992, when as a member of the "Gang of Seven," he bashed Democratic policies, one he repeated during his successful bid for House Majority Leader in 2006.

Previously known for the famous, late-night parties he first began at the 1996 convention, this year Boehner, R-West Chester Twp., has a new role: convention chairman. He will spend a lot more time on the podium, presiding over the adoption of the party's committee reports, including its platform and other rules. At the end of the week, he'll bang the gavel to draw the convention to a close.

It's a formal role for an informal guy, one who pokes fun at reporters' clothes and haircuts and who is always ready with a quick quip.

But it also highlights the role the 58-year-old has had to take in the two years since Republicans lost the majority of the House of Representatives. The bar owner's son who clawed his way back from a fall from House leadership in the late 1990s has become the face of a party still reeling from 2006 losses. Whether that descent continues in 2008 may determine whether he can keep that role.

Pundits predict Boehner's job as minority leader is in jeopardy if Republicans lose too many seats in the fall. Boehner won't speculate.

"We've been writing our political obituary for 18 months," he said. "And all I can tell you is we will do better than people expect."

As evidence, he points to John McCain's strong showing in recent polls. Way back in March and April, he said, the political conventional wisdom was that McCain "had no chance." Now, "McCain is basically in a dead heat with (Barack) Obama up in Ohio," he said. "That's a remarkable turnaround."

David Wasserman, a political analyst with the Cook Political Report, describes Boehner as "an aggressive leader" who has been hindered by bad luck.

"Voters are seeing congressional elections through the lines of the presidential election," he said. "There is very little oxygen left in the room for the statements and actions of members of Congress, including Minority Leader Boehner."

Wasserman sees it as "entirely possible" that House Republicans will see double-digit losses in 2008. If that happens, he said, Boehner may be in trouble.

But U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, doesn't see that happening. "He lets members be themselves, let's them fight about issues they're passionate about," he said. "But he tries to make sure the team comes together at the end of the day on the important things."

"House Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio) ... will speak on the first night of the St. Paul convention..."

Pence, Boehner will speak at convention
Local lawmakers talk Monday, Wednesday
Palladium-Item
FROM STAFF REPORTS

Republicans have fleshed out their program for next week's convention, adding a few speaking slots for conservatives, Roll Call reported Thursday.

Prominent conservatives Sen. Tom Coburn (Okla.) and Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.) will have their chance at the podium during the convention, at which Sen. John McCain of Arizona is expected to be named the Republicans' presidential nominee. Pence, of Columbus, represents Wayne County.

The right-wing Club for Growth has complained about the absence of GOP firebrands such as Sen. Jim DeMint (S.C.), Republican Study Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (Texas) and Rep. Jeff Flake (Ariz.), all darlings of conservative activists but who also have tangled with fellow Republicans for failing to take a harder line against earmarks.

House Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) will speak on the first night of the St. Paul convention, which will be headlined by President Bush, Vice President Cheney and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Others added to the Monday lineup include vice presidential hopeful Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Sens. Richard Burr (N.C.), Norm Coleman (Minn.) and John Ensign (Nev.), and Reps. Michele Bachmann (Minn.), Tom Cole (Okla.), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (Fla.), Thelma Drake (Va.), Mark Kirk (Ill.) and Kevin McCarthy (Calif.).

Pawlenty had been scheduled to speak on the final night of the convention, and Coleman also will do double duty, speaking on Wednesday night.

Coburn was added to the Tuesday lineup, which is anchored by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Boehner, who represents Preble County, Ohio, is also scheduled to speak again that night, along with Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (Fla.) and Rep. Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.) and Luis Fortuño of Puerto Rico.

Pence was added to the Wednesday night speaker's list which will feature the party's vice presidential nominee and is anchored by Cindy McCain, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas) was also added to the lineup.

McCain buddy Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) was added to the final night of the convention, along with former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (Tenn.) and Rep. Mary Fallin (Okla.). Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and Pawlenty are headlining the night before McCain gives his acceptance speech to close the convention.
 

Boehner calls Palin "a popular and proven reformer with a record of accomplishment and real executive experience."

 

Ohio Republicans voice support
By Jessica Wehrman
Dayton Daily News
Saturday, August 30, 2008

WASHINGTON — Conservatives gushed over Sen. John McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for his running mate Friday, Aug. 29, saying McCain's surprise pick reinvigorated his party in the days leading up to the Republican National Convention.

They praised Palin as a social conservative, a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association who would make history were she to become the first female vice president of the United States.

"She's rock solid across the board," said U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, speaking from the Nutter Center minutes before McCain formally introduced Palin to the crowd. "She understands life is sacred and should be protected. She understands the Second Amendment is right next to the First."

Jordan met Palin on a recent trip to Alaska with House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-West Chester, when Palin had dinner with Jordan, Boehner and other lawmakers visiting the state. "She struck me as a very delightful individual, just a really nice person," Jordan said.

For his part, Boehner also was full of praise, calling Palin "a popular and proven reformer with a record of accomplishment and real executive experience."

"The McCain-Palin ticket has the experience to lead the effort to fix a broken Washington," Boehner said. "This is the ticket that is ready to lead."

Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, also met Palin recently, at a meeting in Philadelphia. He came away impressed with "her poise and intellect."

"Gov. Palin has executive experience as a mayor and governor and is a strong proponent of life and family," he said. "We don't have enough people in Washington who understand the importance of local and state government."

Political analyst Chris Duncan of the University of Dayton called the pick "a swing for the fences."

"The upside for John McCain is it creates an opportunity for a historic ballot on either side," he said.

Democrats, meanwhile, were unimpressed, and immediately began hammering Palin for a lack of experience — the same criticism Republicans have leveled at Obama.

"Is this really who the Republican Party wants to be one heartbeat away from the presidency?" asked House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel. "Given Sarah Palin's lack of experience on every front and on nearly every issue, this vice presidential pick doesn't show judgment: it shows political panic."

Sharen Neuhardt, D-Miami Twp., who is running for Ohio's 7th Congressional District, noted that it took the Republicans more than 20 years to follow the Democrats' lead and put a woman on the presidential ticket. In 1984, Democrat Walter Mondale picked Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate.

"Gov. Palin lacks the experience that Sen. McCain says a president needs," Neuhardt said. "This pick had nothing to do with being qualified to step into the presidency. It had everything to do with the dim political outlook for John McCain's campaign."