John Boehner has been the speaker of the House since 2010 and has served in leadership positions even longer. 

The morning of his resignation, he woke up and said his morning prayers and then told the country his plans. His last day will be Oct. 30.

In Boehner’s announcement, he said that he  planned to stay only two terms as speaker. When Majority Leader Eric Cantor lost his reelection, Boehner decided not to retire for the sake of the Republican Party.

The turmoil in the GOP has grown with the Tea Party wave that brought him into the speaker’s chair. 

Pope Francis’ visit had at one point left him and Boehner alone where the pope asked Boehner to “pray for him.” The effect of the Francis’ visit may have affected Boehner since he is Catholic. 

Resigning opens up more opportunities for Boehner. He’ll have access to his pension of $86,600 annually, according to The Atlantic. 

Additionally, he can opt to work in lobbying just like Cantor, who is now working for investment bank, Moelis & Company, at a salary nearing $1.6 million.

No matter who replaces Boehner, however, they will have a tough time. Many of Boehner’s critics on the far right would say that he does not adhere to conservative values, prompting the vote mentioned earlier, and the new speaker will be hard pressed to do so.

As much of a shame it is to say it, Boehner’s successor is unlikely to make the same “mistake” in fear of losing his or her spot as leader in the House. 

This not only means less compromise and less action from the GOP controlled parts or Congress, it also means that Boehner’s replacement will have a hard time building any type of legacy without encountering dissent in his or her own party.

Overall, Boehner was someone who was willing to make compromises and play the political game that helps enact effective policy in the country. 

While his opponents and critics, will never agree with him on certain issues, I think we ought to see him as a man who believed that he did the right things for the right reasons to the best of his moral understanding.