John Boehner: Obama economic team should resign
| Washington
House Republican leader John Boehner on Tuesday called for the resignation of President Barack Obama's embattled economic team, including Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and White House economic adviser Larry Summers. "It's time to put grown-ups in charge. It's time for people willing to accept responsibility," Boehner declared in remarks prepared for delivery in a speech in Cleveland.
Boehner made his call for a "fresh start" on the economy 10 weeks before the November 2 congressional elections that have been dominated by the sour U.S. economy and near double-digit jobless rate. Republicans are expected to make inroads on the big majorities held by Obama's Democrats in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
"President Obama should ask for -- and accept -- the resignations of the remaining members of his economic team, starting with Secretary Geithner and Larry Summers, the head of the National Economic Council," Boehner said.Obama was certain to dismiss Boehner's call to replace his fiscal team.
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Obama and his economic advisers have been criticized for failing to reduce the jobless rate of 9.5 percent, which they have sought to blame on his predecessor, Republican President George W. Bush.
If Republicans take control of the House, Boehner is in position to be elected as speaker, a post that would make him the chamber's presiding officer and in charge of setting its agenda.
More bad U.S. economic data last week heightened concerns about a return to recession. Claims for new unemployment claims rose to a nine-month high and manufacturing activity in the U.S. mid-Atlantic region unexpectedly contracted.
Boehner has been a leading critic of Obama's agenda, including his overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system, tightening of regulation on the financial industry and what Republicans' denounce as his failed economic stimulus plan. He has no power to compel replacement of Obama's team.
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