If you’ve listened to Speaker Mike Johnson recently, there is some John Boehner influence poking through. During his push to pass Ukraine aid, Johnson said: “When you do the right thing, you let the chips fall where they may.” For those who covered the Boehner era, this — or something similar — was a frequent refrain from the Ohio Republican.
Johnson will head to Ohio to headline a fundraiser featuring Boehner in Cincinnati at the end of the month. The Ohio delegation is on the invite — including Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a top Boehner tormentor.
Grow the Majority, the committee that is benefitting from this event funnels money to 79 different committees, including Johnson’s reelection campaign, his leadership PAC, the Congressional Leadership Fund, a number of state parties, the NRCC and the RNC.
Boehner, who is at Squire Patton Boggs but is not a registered lobbyist, has fundraised for several House Republicans recently. He has been in touch with Johnson in recent months.
But let’s be clear: Boehner is an anathema to the hardline House Republicans of today. He had a close relationship with former President Barack Obama. Boehner also was able to achieve modest Republican achievements in divided government because he compromised with Democrats.
Remember, the speakership is a lonely job. Just five Republicans have had the job in the last 70 years.
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— Jake Sherman
