Boehner: I'm Not Worried About My Job

John Boehner today downplayed accusations that his handling of the fiscal cliff negotiations is driven by a fear of losing his position as speaker. "I'm not concerned about my job," Boehner said at a press conference, reports the Hill. "What I'm concerned about is doing the right thing for our kids and grandkids." Earlier this week, the National Review reported that buzz was building that Tom Price would challenge Boehner, though Price has since denied that.

Yesterday, Democrat Chris Van Hollen accused Boehner of dragging out the cliff negotiations until after he's officially elected to a second term in the top job in January. But today Boehner said that Obama was the one slowing down negotiations. "The White House is so unserious about cutting spending that it appears willing to slow-walk our economy right up to—and over—the fiscal cliff," he said, reports USA Today. Obama, for his part, said that the deal was "still a work in progress," notes ABC. (More John Boehner stories.)