District GOP To Goodlatte: Reject Boehner

HARRISONBURG — The 6th District Republican Committee demands Rep. Bob Goodlatte oppose John Boehner’s re-election as House speaker, if the Roanoke congressman wants to continue to receive its support.

The committee approved sending a letter with that message to Goodlatte on Nov. 10, four days after he won re-election to an 11th term. It says Boehner has performed “disingenuous” acts, such as showing an unwillingness to defund President Barack Obama’s health care plan, that are “intended to defraud the people while leading them to believe he is fighting for their cause.”

“People are concerned about the speaker standing up for the conservative principles of the 6th District,” said committee Chairman Wendell Walker of Lynchburg. “That letter was just a reflection of the feelings of the people in our party. The House is the only [majority] that we have left at this point.”

Messages to Goodlatte’s office were not returned Monday.

Walker said the vote to approve the letter was unanimous among the more than 35 committee members.

“It’s the decision of the 6th District,” said Chaz Evans-Haywood, the committee’s vice chairman and clerk of Rockingham County Circuit Court. “When do you stop sympathizing [on issues] instead of standing true to your core beliefs? I think that’s where some of the folks are. That is where this came from.”

Walker noted that the tea party movement has gotten stronger in the district. For example, all its delegates to the Republican National Committee in August favored Ron Paul, a tea party favorite, as the GOP pick for president over eventual standard-bearer Mitt Romney.

Two days later, Boehner told ABC News, “We don’t have a tea party caucus to speak of in the House.” On its website, the caucus lists 60 representatives, all Republicans.

Evans-Haywood said the letter will cause friction between the committee’s tea party members and more traditional Republican base only if members let it.

“We have to realize that it’s just part of the political process,” he said.

Acts Of Treason?

The letter to Goodlatte says Boehner, an Ohio Republican elected speaker in January 2011, has acted in an almost “treasonous” manner with the health care reform, commonly referred to as Obamacare.

It also criticizes Boehner for changing his stance on immigration, which he says is in need of comprehensive reform.

“His recent commitment to active pursuit of its funding, coupled with his capitulation on the issue of amnesty and his agreement to raise taxes are acts that are nothing short of treasonous to our interests and our security,” the letter says. “Therefore, we … demand that you oppose the selection of Mr. Boehner as speaker for the next session; that you only select a representative who is willing to engage fully in battle against Obamacare and the many other imprudent and unconstitutional efforts of the Obama administration.”

It finishes by saying the committee’s future support of Goodlatte is contingent upon his efforts to “lead the fight” to deny Obama “every unconstitutional measure.” The committee’s letter does not request Goodlatte attempt to become speaker.

The House will elect a speaker the first week of January.

Contact Preston Knight at 574-6272 or pknight@dnronline.com