there. mom and dad slept on a pullout couch. and john, steve and i slept in one bedroom. nancy slept in the other bedroom. >> reporter: maneuvering in such a big catholic family is where a large part of his leadship skills come from today. >> started right there. you might have wanted something done a certain way but it wasn't possible because there's too many people. you had to figure out the best way to do something and move on with it. >> reporter: of course, his little sister might just say he was boss s. >> make sure you do your homework and sit up straight. what are you doing with your clean clothes on? >> reporter: linda still works at the bar the boehner family used to own where john mopped floors. back then it was named andy's cafe after his grandfather. >> did you ever get angry because he was being too harsh on him. >> yeah, because he wasn't mom or dad. who are you? >> reporter: a teenager who road motorcycles and played football. >> john came up to me and said,