John Boehner has benefited from low expectations. Liberals scoffed at the idea that he would be an adequate rival to the president. Republcians had their own doubts. But in his maiden speech, he did about as well as a pol can in delivering a core message: We are humble. We heard the voters. We're here to end the spend-a-thon. In his words:
We gather here today at a time of great challenges. Nearly one in ten of our neighbors are looking for work. Health-care costs are still rising for families and small businesses. Our spending has caught up with us, and our debt will soon eclipse the size of our entire economy. Hard work and tough decisions will be required of the 112th Congress. No longer can we fall short. No longer can we kick the can down the road. The people voted to end business as usual, and today we begin carrying out their instructions.
The language was simple, which matched the message and the mood. His promises to the House -- "Legislators and the public will have three days to read bills before they come to a vote" and "Committees, once bloated, will be smaller, with a renewed mission, including oversight," for example -- were direct and delivered in matter-of-fact tones. He sounded like he meant it when he conceded, "A great deal of scar tissue has built up on both sides of the aisle. We cannot ignore that, nor should we. My belief has always been, we can disagree without being disagreeable to each other."
But when it came to the country, he was surprisingly eloquent. "More than a country, America is an idea, and it is our job to pass on to our posterity the blessings bestowed to us." One of the 2012 presidential contenders should steal that.
Boehner talked for less time than Pelosi, a sign perhaps that less is more where Republicans are concerned. The White House will have a tough time demonizing this John Boehner, who most Americans met for the first time today.
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