House Speaker John Boehner's abrupt resignation from Congress - a surprise that jolted most of America - apparently was triggered by hard-right Tea Party zealots who hounded him mercilessly.
Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., denounced the "rejectionist members" and said they refuse to govern.
"There are anywhere from two to four dozen members who don't have an affirmative sense of governance," Dent said. "...They just can't get to yes, and so they undermine the ability of the speaker to lead.... They undermine the entire Republican conference and also help to weaken the institution of Congress itself."
Another Republican, Rep. Peter King of New York, snarled:
"The resignation of John Boehner is a victory for the crazies."
President Obama was gracious, calling the Ohio representative "a good man" and a "patriot" who "always conducted himself with civility and courtesy with me" - although the two were at opposite ends of the political spectrum.
Remarkably, Boehner wept during the pope's address to Congress, and held a brief private meeting with the pontiff. It isn't known whether this affected his sudden decision to quit a day later.
Some Washington observers concluded Friday that Boehner was forced out because he wouldn't support a Tea Party attempt to shut down the federal government over funding of Planned Parenthood.
Conservative extremists like Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, declare that Congress won't pass any budget including money for the birth-control and women's health agency. President Obama vows to veto any budget that scuttles Planned Parenthood. This impasse threatens a government closure.
Reportedly, Boehner doesn't want the GOP to force another shutdown, so he's drafting a compromise to continue temporary funding for both the U.S. government and Planned Parenthood. His resignation will stymie possible Tea Party efforts to remove him because of his compromise.
Washington politics is brutal. America is witnessing another sordid example.