Post reporter Mike DeBonis caught up with House Speaker John Boehner after a Republican colleague on Tuesday abruptly challenged his hold on the speakership.

North Carolina Republican Mark Meadows took even Republican rebels by surprise by making a “motion to vacate” the chair, right before the House is set to take a six-week vacation.

Meadows, reports DeBonis, intended to start a “family conversation” among his colleagues. But Boehner (R-Ohio) didn’t seem particularly bothered by the move, the first time anyone has attempted this tactic in 105 years (and never successfully).

“You’ve got a member here and a member there who are off the reservation,” Boehner said. “No big deal.”

Meadows — who was removed, and later reinstated, from a subcommittee chairmanship after opposing a leadership-backed procedural vote  — might have been expected to attract more support among Boehner critics.

But no such luck, DeBonis reports:

‘It took a lot of us by surprise, and I feel like any leadership discussions among Republicans should be with Republicans and not empower Nancy Pelosi to exploit the process,’ said Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.)…

Meadows, meanwhile, was a quiet presence Wednesday, sitting by himself off the House floor, speaking on his cellphone and showing no sign of regret.

“I’ve had more interaction with you than I have my fellow members of Congress today,” he told reporters after hanging up and walking to the floor to vote.”