Boehner could be finished if he doesn't deliver big on debt ceiling negotiations

A GOP lawmaker close to House Republican leadership said any deal short of a blockbuster for conservatives will result in “blood on the floor” for Boehner, further loosening his grip on his group of lawmakers…

Conservatives are still stung by the final agreement on the 2011 federal budget in which Boehner agreed to $38 billion in federal spending cuts — well short of an initial GOP goal. However, the Congressional Budget Office found the actual cuts amounted to only $25 billion, a setback for Boehner that damaged his standing with his 73-member freshmen class.

Boehner has very clear lines drawn heading into the negotiations — absolutely no tax increases, and entitlements have to remain on the table. Democrats, especially progressives, have complained that the GOP position would lead to dramatic cuts in federal programs that benefit the poor, and they have warned that they would oppose any such agreement.