John Boehner’s combative, difficult five-year speakership has been marked by many conflicts with Democrats. But his most bitter fights were with conservatives in his own party, whose opposition to his leadership spurred his decision to resign.
Democrats are really sad that John Boehner is resigning. Conservatives are thrilled.
Andrew Prokop is a senior politics correspondent at Vox, covering the White House, elections, and political scandals and investigations. He’s worked at Vox since the site’s launch in 2014, and before that, he worked as a research assistant at the New Yorker’s Washington, DC, bureau.
That’s evident in the statements members of both parties are making about Boehner today. Democrats like President Obama, Harry Reid, and Chuck Schumer are showering him with praise — as are mainstream, establishment Republicans. But conservatives — particularly some outspoken 2016 presidential candidates like Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and even Marco Rubio — tend to be glad he’s leaving, with some sounding positively joyful at his departure.
All this makes sense. Boehner was not even close to being a liberal, but he was viewed by Democrats overall as a Republican they could work with — which is just what infuriated the right.
Democrats think Boehner is a great guy
"John Boehner’s a good man. He is a patriot. He cares deeply about the House…his constituents, and America." —@POTUS
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 25, 2015 Obama on Boehner: "he has always conducted himself with courtesy and civility with me. He has kept his word when he has made a commitment"
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) September 25, 2015 Schumer: "Boehner is a decent, principled conservative man who tried to do the right thing" pic.twitter.com/K6mquAHOGg
— Joseph Spector (@GannettAlbany) September 25, 2015 Reid: Boehner "never, ever misled me... His word was always good."
— John Bresnahan (@BresPolitico) September 25, 2015 Reid on Boehner: "To say that I will miss John Boehner is a tremendous understatement."
— Aaron Blake (@AaronBlakeWP) September 25, 2015 Mainstream, establishment Republicans also praised Boehner
John Boehner dedicated his life to public service. Bringing the Holy Father to Congress was a fitting cap to a great career.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) September 25, 2015 Ohio Gov. and GOP presidential hopeful John Kasich releases a statement on Speaker John Boehner: pic.twitter.com/j5Uqslm8YD
— Local 12/WKRC-TV (@Local12) September 25, 2015 Lindsey Graham on Boehner: "He is a solid conservative who understands the responsibility which comes from governing."
— Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) September 25, 2015 I admire @SpeakerBoehner for his dedication and service to this country. He's a good man and I wish him well.
— Chris Christie (@ChrisChristie) September 25, 2015 Outsiders and conservatives weren’t as generous
CRUZ kicks Boehner on way out, warns him not to cut final deals w Dems before landing "a cushy K Street job" ! http://t.co/tK90fTQReL
— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) September 25, 2015 Trump on Beohner: "We want to see the job being done properly. We want people who are going to get it done." http://t.co/rG8PkiVViQ
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) September 25, 2015 In Iowa, Carly Fiorina tells reporters that she looks forward to a "conservative" leader replacing John Boehner as US House speaker.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) September 25, 2015 Sen. Marco Rubio on Boehner resignation: "I'm not here to bash anyone but the time has come to turn the page."
— Harrison Golden (@harrisongolden) September 25, 2015 Rubio tells @KatyTurNBC that Boehner "deserves our gratitude" for service, but also for stepping aside for "new generation of leadership"
— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) September 25, 2015 Cruz to social conservatives: "You want to know how much you terrify Washington? Yesterday, John Boehner was the speaker of the House."
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) September 25, 2015 In Iowa, Carly Fiorina tells reporters that she looks forward to a "conservative" leader replacing John Boehner as US House speaker.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) September 25, 2015 Rand Paul on Speaker Boehner: "The Speaker just resigned. You know what, maybe that's a step in the right direction"
— Jessica Hopper (@jesshop23) September 25, 2015 Rick Santorum joins the Boehner-bashing parade at #VVS15: "it's probably time for him to have stepped down."
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) September 25, 2015 Jindal on Boehner: "That's one down, that's 434 more to go. folks, It is time to fire everybody in DC."
— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) September 25, 2015 
