When John “Pretty Boy” Boehner — the creature who so badly wants to be the first T-and-A Speaker of the House — rolled out the “Pledge To America” last week, it was billed as the solution to America’s problems. It was billed as offering not just solutions, but ambitious solutions:

We recognize that these solutions are ambitious, and that we are proposing them at a time of intense public distrust in politicians and the political system.

Then came a spate of really bad reviews. The Pledge drew nothing but dismissive derision. Even conservatives piled on with feeling.

And there was John Boehner again on Sunday morning, facing the harsh and glaring scrutiny of … Fox News. And, once again, he wilted under pressure, and unexpectedly went off message and conceded the truth:

WALLACE: Congressman Boehner, as Willie Sutton said about banks, entitlements are where the money is. More than 40% of the budget. Yet, I’ve looked through this pledge and there is not one single proposal to cut social security, medicare, medicaid.

BOEHNER: Chris, we make it clear in there that we’re going to lay out a plan to work toward a balanced budget and deal with the entitlement crisis. Chris, it’s time for us as americans (sic) to have an adult conversation with each other about the serious challenges our country faces. And we can’t have that serious conversation until we lay out the size of the problem. Once Americans understand how big the problem is, then we can begin to talk about potential solutions. [...]

WALLACE: Forgive me, sir, isn’t the right time to have the adult conversation now before the election when you have this document? Why not make a single proposal to cut social security, medicare and medicaid?

BOEHNER: Chris, this is what happens here in washington (sic). When you start down that path, you just invite all kind of problems. I know. I’ve been there. I think we need to do this in a more systemic way and have this conversation first. Let’s not get to the potential solutions. Let’s make sure americans (sic) understand how big the problem is. Then we can talk about possible solutions and then work ourselves into those solutions that are doable.

Cross-questioned by Chris Wallace, of all people, Boehner cheerfully admits that their vaunted ambitious solution ain’t no solution at all? That all the rhetoric they gave us non-stop since last Thursday was just hollow spin? That we’re still only at the pre-solution stage?

It must be the strain of measuring those new drapes over and over again in his mind all night, every night. Republicans are just not supposed to abandon pre-approved talking points and speak truth to media. And certainly not Republican leaders. After all, this is the Party of Lies, Damned Lies, Even More Damned Lies and Nothing But Damned Lies. And Republicans expect their leaders to lead by example.

Wouldn’t it be ironic if the Republicans did win Boehner’s wet-dream majority in the House, but the House Republican caucus then turned around and made someone else the Speaker? Entirely because, when push comes to shove, Boehner is not a reliable enough liar?