Boehner Inching Toward Romney Endorsement

Updated: April 17, 2012 | 7:07 a.m.
April 16, 2012 | 8:01 p.m.

FILE - In this March 1, 2012, file photo House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, talks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington. Boehner commented on the controversial amendment to the Senate transportation bill proposed by Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri. The Washington divide, hardened by election-year politics, has stifled the agendas of both parties, and is jeopardizing a bill to keep federal highway and transit aid flowing to states just as the spring construction season opens. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, appears ready—maybe even this week—to finally recognize Mitt Romney as the all-but-official Republican presidential nominee.

Boehner still declined on Monday night to endorse the former Massachusetts governor, responding only with a smile and a shrug when asked about timing.

When further pressed about the holdup, he responded cryptically, "Talking about it,” before slipping into the House chamber.

The House’s No. 2 and 3 Republicans—Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.—have already endorsed Romney.

House sources say Boehner has been leaning on his upcoming role as chairman of the Republican National Convention in August as the reasoning for his continued silence.

As chairman of the Aug. 27-30 event, he must preside over procedures and potential technical challenges to proceedings. He therefore has claimed reluctance to stray from strict neutrality, as long as former Speaker Newt Gingrich remains in the race.

“Nothing to announce on this,” was all that Boehner spokesman Michael Steel would say on Monday when asked if there were any discussions, meetings, or outreach under way with the Romney camp.

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