Eye Recommend --- Boehner (Briefly) Supports "Real Background Checks on Everyone"

BOEHNER (BRIEFLY) SUPPORTS 'REAL BACKGROUND CHECKS ON EVERYONE', by Steve Benen -- http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/03/21/17400054-boehner-briefly-supports-real-background-checks-on-everyone?lite

"House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) sat down with CNN's Jake Tapper (on Wednesday), and their discussion turned to the Sandy Hook shootings.  The host asked about the Speaker and his emotional reaction 'as a dad', and Boehner replied with a complaint about President Obama.

'Our hearts go out to those who are victims of Sandy Hook, or these other mass shootings', Boehner said.  'I would hope the president would have focused on the bigger problem, you know, violence in our society.'

It led to this interesting exchange:

TAPPER:  Do you think background checks, improving background checks might be part of that?

BOEHNER:  They should actually do a real background check on everyone.

It was unexpected response.  After all, a policy that requires real background checks on everyone is the centerpiece of President Obama's efforts to combat gun violence, and it's an idea that enjoys overwhelming support from Americans.  But Republicans and the NRA continue to strongly oppose the policy, making Boehner's respsonse on national television a pleasant surprise.

Alas, it was a fleeting development.  Tapper later reported that the Speaker's office said Boehner misspoke."

The NRA must have been dialing Boehner's number before he finished his last word...and Boehner crumbled.  Again.  Wouldn't it have been refreshing if Mr. Boehner--instead of making the easy politic decision to back down--stood up and told his party why he supports universal background checks?  Maybe, just maybe, his explanation could persuade some members of his party to stand with him on this common sense issue and to finally tell the NRA that enough is enough. You don't get everything you want.  We stand for the people.

Mr. Benen goes on to give other examples of Boehner's penchant for backing away from previous statements--including those he made on tax increases and oil company subsidies--in order to re-align himself with his handlers.  It is an interesting look at Mr. Boehner's brand of "leadership".

"But the Speaker seems to realize soon after that he's the nation's highest-ranking Republican officeholder, and reasonable positions on controversial issues put his career in jeopardy, so he keeps having to explain that he doesn't really mean what he says."