The next speaker of the House of Representatives is unlikely to be any more sympathetic to the faction of anti-government Republicans that hastened John Boehner’s demise by angling to overthrow him. Whoever Boehner’s replacement is, he has an unenviable task.

There is no indication that Boehner’s sacrifice will purge the poisons.

In all likelihood, the next speaker – whether it is Boehner deputy Kevin McCarthy of California or another victim – will face the same Hobson’s choice Boehner did: Appease the faction in his own party with no interest in compromise or governing, inviting brinkmanship and shutdown; or collaborate with the opposing party, inviting a coup.

Boehner did the best he could, even demonstrating that the party was capable of governing when it had to. To spare the institution, Boehner is sparing the House a contentious vote to remove him.

It’s a noble thought, but it won’t be much help to Boehner’s successor.

The turmoil in the House is the result of discord in the Republican Party. Boehner was unable to defeat the radicals who made his tenure so draining, and the radicals have proved unwilling to accept that a minority of one party does not dictate the agenda in a divided capital.

Meanwhile, mainstream conservatives in the House who had hoped to use their majority to put their stamp on viable legislation will continue to be frustrated.

Even bipartisan initiatives such as a highway bill will be stuck.

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