House Speaker John A. Boehner bristled at charges he’s “a squish” when it comes to his conservative principles, declaring himself Thursday to be “the most anti-establishment speaker we’ve ever had.”
The Ohio Republican survived the biggest rebellion in more than a century against a speaker during his election to the poston Tuesday, when 25 fellow Republicans either abstained or voted for a Republican other than him.
Mr. Boehner still won comfortably, and told reporters Thursday he has the eighth-most conservative voting record during his time in Congress, and said he’s carried that into his role as the House’s leader.
“I’m the most anti-establishment speaker we’ve ever had. Who’s the guy that got rid of earmarks? Me,” he said.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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