Boehner hesitates to shutout Tea Party

After Senate leaders voiced much hope that a potential deal to reopen the Federal government and avert a default on US Debt was in the works, House Leader John Boehner decided he could not accept a bill that would exclude the demands of Tea Party members.  A pessimistic view is that the GOP Congressman has decided to put Party above Country.  Given that the Democrats are simply seeking to reopen the government and avert a Default while they appear to willing to agree to negotiations on the Budget and tax code in exchange, it seems Boehner is failing to look out for the more pressing, broader interests of the American People over political concerns.  

Then again, Boehner could be motivated by more factors that are somewhat more virtuous.  When the House Speaker took control of the House of Representatives, he pledged to open the legislative process in the wake of an election where Republicans charged Democrats were locking out opponents of their agenda.  In accordance, he may well feel ignoring the views of the Tea Party wing of the GOP out of convenience is a betrayal to his responsibilities as House Speaker.  That said, the House Speaker is the leader of the House, not just his Party.  As such, he must open the legislative process to both Republican and Democratic members.  This does not mean appeasing Democrats or the Tea Party on every critical issue.  Instead, it means Mr. Boehner must open the legislative process to solutions that best address the interests of the American People by balancing the views of their representatives with the responsibilities of the Legislative Branch.

 In this case, allowing for a clean continuing resolution and short-term increase in the debt ceiling with formal negotiations on budgetary issues is that solution.  Not only does this solution allow the Legislative Branch to act responsibly in a functional manner, it addresses the most pressing interests of the American People while setting in motion a process that can resolve other relevant issues that also concern the Tea Party.  Most People will not remember John Boehner and the Republicans backing down from a handful of concessions that could have been gained via more responsible, more productive means; everyone will remember a Default.