Analysis: Boehner faces huge stakes in debt debate

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Reuters.com:

Republican John Boehner faces his greatest test yet as the leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, one that may determine his political fate and the country's fiscal well-being.

Boehner has navigated Congress' shark-infested waters for 20 years, but the negotiations he is about to have with President Barack Obama over how to raise the U.S. debt limit will test his political skills like never before.

With debt talks led by Vice President Joe Biden collapsing on Thursday -- after a surprise walk out by Boehner's deputy Eric Cantor -- the House Speaker now finds Republican responsibility for averting a U.S. default resting squarely on his <<shoulders.

Republicans and Democrats have said for months that any final deal will have to be hammered out by Obama and Boehner, so this new, critical phase of debt talks -- which will also include Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid -- is not unexpected.



Kevin Madden, a Republican strategist, said although this is a difficult situation for Boehner, the Republican "has the most leverage in the room".

Madden said: "He has made it clear from the beginning. Tax hikes are off the table, and he's aligned with public sentiment on this. It's the president who is going to have to move toward Boehner on this."