Speaker John A. Boehner took to the press conference podium Thursday to set the record straight on a line of attack he seems to be hearing from conservatives: That he has no spine.

“It does pain me to be described as ‘spineless’ or a ‘squish,'” a somewhat-jocular Boehner said.

“I tell you what pains me the most is when they describe me as ‘the establishment,'” Boehner said.

The Ohio Republican described himself as “the most anti-establishment speaker we’ve ever had,” and he enumerated some of his credentials for the title.