Boehner takes revenge: boots 2 congressmen from committees, more on the way

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

This is just a power play with the Speaker developing dictatorial powers within the House of Representatives. This could be little more than a display of vindictiveness among rivals within an authoritarian organization, to wit the Republican Party.

President Obama does not need Speaker Boehner, and Speaker Boehner does not need the President. 

Of course it's a power play. How on earth is that mutually exclusive with Boehner having every right to do it, or with it being a good thing that he is?

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

This is just a power play with the Speaker developing dictatorial powers within the House of Representatives. This could be little more than a display of vindictiveness among rivals within an authoritarian organization, to wit the Republican Party.

President Obama does not need Speaker Boehner, and Speaker Boehner does not need the President. 

Of course it's a power play. How on earth is that mutually exclusive with Boehner having every right to do it, or with it being a good thing that he is?

Having the right to do something and the wisdom of doing so are two different matters. 

I don't understand why you think this is unwise.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

The Speaker is the leader of the entire House and controls the Capitol building as well. Certain committee chairmanships and seats are how the Speaker exerts that leadership. If a member doesn't back that leader, they can't expect to hold a post that the leader needs to exercise control.

I completely agree. If John Boehner is to be respected as Speaker (and a leader), he must exercise control as he, and indeed far more than he has. He should be exerting his authority to all those who voted against him in his own party. In our current system, it is the functional equivalent to a vote of confidence.

To those that mention Pelosi, she did not have a single defection during either of her elections as Speaker. Even Gene Taylor voted for her in both 2007 and 2009. She had absolutely no defections when Democrats controlled the House. Nancy Pelosi was one of the powerful Speakers we've ever had and she had solid control over her majority.

So much so that she currently is farther away from a majority than any Democratic congressional leader since John Nance Garner.

Sadly, Pelosi's indeed very solid and effective control over her majority did not translate well to influence over the Senate or on public opinion.