John Boehner Made One Thing Clear During Friday's Presser on the Fiscal Cliff: 'This Is [Obama's] Opportunity to Lead

WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) -- House Speaker John Boehner says any deal to avert the so-called fiscal cliff should include lower tax rates, eliminating special interest loopholes and revising the tax code. But he also continually hammered home what could become the mantra for the rest of the year: It's time for Obama to "lead."

Speaking to reporters Friday, the Ohio Republican insisted that changing the tax code and making it more efficient would lead to greater revenue for the government. That, however, seemed to take a back seat to putting the responsibility on the president. Business Insider captured many of the quotes, and we've highlighted the "lead" suggestions in bold:

"This is an opportunity for the president to lead. This is his moment to work on a solution that can pass both chambers," Boehner said.

He says lowering tax rates and cleaning up tax code will produce economic growth and create jobs, and produce "more revenue."

"I hope discussions begin soon so we can forge an agreement that will pass Congress," Boehner says.

Onto the Q&A session:

"When the president and I have been able to come to an agreement, there has been no problem in getting it passed in the House," he says. Of course, they haven't been able to on a tax deal.

"This is his opportunity to lead," he adds of the president.

Boehner was asked about his party's standing after the election

"It's clear that as a political party we have some work to do," he said.

Next, he's asked about exit polls showing that about 60% of Americans support raising taxes on incomes above $250,000.

"The problem with raising tax rates on the wealthiest Americans is that more than half of them are small business owners."

But he adds: "Everything — on the revenue side and spending side — we have to look at."

On immigration, Boehner says he is "not going to get any details." He says it's Obama's "opportunity to lead" on the issue.

Boehner said he had a brief conversation with President Barack Obama earlier this week as the chief executive and congressional leaders negotiate a way to avoid a fiscal cliff that economists say would plunge the nation into another recession.

Boehner also indicated that raising the debt limit that the government will reach sometime in the spring should be part of any negotiations.