Gingrich: Boehner Is Likely to Hold Speaker’s Job

Though weakened by the fiscal cliff negotiations, House Speaker John Boehner is still likely to hold onto his job, according to former House Speaker and presidential candidate Newt Gingrich.

In an interview with Politico, Gingrich dismissed the possibility that Boehner’s job as House Speaker was vulnerable since some House Republicans blocked his so-called “Plan B” to avoid the fiscal cliff, the publication reports.

“I think somebody could run,” Gingrich was quoted as saying. “They would get some votes. And they would lose.”

He added that no establishment Republican is likely to challenge Boehner at this stage.

“Think about it. Legislative bodies are about mathematics: Cantor will stick with Boehner, McCarthy will stick with Boehner, Paul Ryan will stick with Boehner,” Gingrich explained. “Cathy [McMorris Rodgers] got elected with Boehner’s help.”

Moreover, Gingrich said that Rep. Greg Walden is also close to the speaker. “Pete Sessions got appointed to Rules by Boehner. Anyone who could get a majority of the [GOP] Conference is for Boehner,” he asserted. “I have some concerns about his strategy and doing better, but I think the fact is John is the speaker, he is going to be the speaker.”