POLITICO: The hard line Boehner has drawn against President Barack Obama — in the face of polls and media coverage indicating the government shutdown is a political debacle for the GOP — has won the Ohio Republican credibility that he previously lacked with conservatives.
In an odd turnabout, the grumbling about Boehner’s speakership now is rising from the establishment, old-school Republicans who traditionally have been his base of support. These legislators privately wonder whether Boehner is strong enough to both effectively steer the party and avoid a right-wing revolt.
The interviews reveal unanimity on one point: Boehner’s speakership now hinges on whether he can somehow emerge from the showdowns over funding the government and raising the debt limit with some victory in hand and without a capitulation to Obama and Hill Democrats… (more)
