What Republican unity means for the fiscal cliff

Boehner on Thursday told reporters that he is not concerned about keeping the speaker’s gavel as he continues his negotiations with the White House. “What I’m concerned about is doing the right thing for our kids and grandkids,” he said.

But what’s notable is that both Cantor and McCarthy seem to have lost favor with conservatives who are openly floating wish lists of potential new speakers.

“Now, they’re all basically just viewed as the same [as Boehner] — one team. Not somebody we’d turn to if we wanted change,” said one House Republican, who asked not to be identified. In short, Cantor and McCarthy may be sticking with Boehner because their fates are linked to his.

Rutgers’s Baker said the lockstep approach of Republicans could ultimately give Boehner less leeway to compromise in the talks.