White House, Republicans Battle Over Economy

24 August 2010

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) speaks about jobs and the economy at the City Club of Cleveland, 24 Aug 2010

In substance, the remarks Republican Representative John Boehner delivered in Cleveland, Ohio were not much different from those he has made in recent months.

For months Boehner, the House of Representatives minority leader, and others in his party, have complained about Obama administration deficit spending, and the president's plan to allow tax cuts for wealthier Americans approved under former Republican President George W. Bush to expire.

There was more of that from Mr. Boehner on Tuesday. The difference is that he is now actively campaigning to be speaker of the House of Representatives, should Republicans take control of the House from Democrats in the November mid-term congressional elections.

Boehner called for the resignation of key members of the president's economic team, and said the November elections will be a referendum on Mr. Obama's policies.

"President Obama should ask for, and accept, the resignations of the remaining members of his economic team, starting with Secretary Geithner and Larry Summers, the head of the National Economic Council," he said. "Now, this is no substitute for a referendum on the president's job-killing agenda. That question will be put before the American people in due time. But we do not have the luxury of waiting months for the president to pick scapegoats for his failing 'stimulus' policies."