(Bloomberg) — Outgoing U.S. House Speaker John Boehner took aim at hardliners in his Republican Party whom he likened to "false prophets" that promise more than they can deliver on issues such as cutting off federal funding for Planned Parenthood.
In his first interview since announcing he would resign from Congress at the end of October, Boehner took aim at conservative hardliners who promise more than they can deliver on issues like cutting funding for Planned Parenthood. Appearing Sunday on CBS's Face the Nation, Boehner was asked by host John Dickerson whether some in his party were "unrealistic about what can be done in government."
"Absolutely, they're unrealistic!" Boehner exclaimed. "But, you know, the Bible says beware of false prophets, and there are people out there spreading noise about how much can get done."
Boehner's tenure as Speaker has been marked by regular clashes with hardline conservative Republicans who oppose compromise on a host of issues. Boehner cited the 2013 government shutdown that was centered on the prospect of defunding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)—also know as Obamacare—as another example of unrealistic, wishful thinking.
"This plan never had a chance," Boehner said.
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Still, the Ohio Republican said that outside groups were also to blame for stoking quixotic hopes among the far right.
