Boehner describes House Republicans as '218 frogs in a wheelbarrow'

House Speaker John Boehner likened his restless Republican caucus to "frogs in a wheelbarrow," saying in an interview broadcast Sunday it's tough to keep them all in line on any given vote.

The speaker, on ABC's "This Week," discussed the challenge ahead in the second half of the year which will wrap up his first term as speaker -- though he's optimistic it won't be his last.

Boehner made waves earlier in the week when he called for the House to once again demand spending cuts in exchange for an increase in the debt ceiling, suggesting that fight might play out this year. But in that battle, Boehner could face resistance not only from Democrats but conservative Republicans who don't want to lift the debt ceiling no matter what is offered in exchange.

"I've never been shy about leading. But you know, leaders need followers," Boehner said, when asked about the trouble the speaker's had in general controlling his caucus. "We've got 89 brand new members. We've got a pretty disparate caucus. ... And it's hard to keep 218 frogs in a wheelbarrow long enough to get a bill passed."

But Boehner said his members want to do more, and "I want to do more too."

On the debt-ceiling question, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi countered that holding up that vote would not be the "responsible, mature, sensible" path.

"They're over the edge. We want a balanced approach," she said.