Approval Ratings in December of 2012:
President Obama - 57%
Congress - 18%
Why?
Because Mr. Obama understands that he is President of the entire United States. Not just President of the Democratic party of the United States.
Mr. Boehner, on the other hand, refuses to accept the fact that he is Speaker of the entire House. Not just Speaker of the Republican party of the House.
If the Speaker placed the President's latest proposal (extending tax cuts for everybody under $400K and cutting entitlement spending) before the entire House for a vote, it would pass easily and immediately--with a bipartisan majority. And Boehner knows it.
Getting a majority of all members voting (democrats and republicans) is how a grownup Speaker of the House is supposed to govern. But John Boehner has never understood that simple fact. Which is why his embarrassing behavior only solidifies his reputation as the singularly uninspiring Speaker of an increasingly unpopular House.
At some point he has to ask himself: What shall it profit a man to regain the gavel, and forfeit his country's soul?
