John Boehner turns down Air Force One ride to Tucson (Hosting RNC Cocktail Party)

[kpete]

Source: Politico

By JOHN BRESNAHAN | 1/12/11 6:44 PM EST

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) turned down an offer by President Barack Obama to travel on Air Force One to Arizona for a memorial service on behalf of the victims of Saturday’s shooting, a decision that has upset some Democrats.

Boehner is instead scheduled to attend a reception on Wednesday night on behalf of Maria Cino, a former top House GOP aide who is seeking the Republican National Committee chairmanship. Boehner is backing Cino’s challenge to current RNC Chairman Michael Steele.

Boehner’s reception for Cino was first reported on Wednesday morning by POLITICO.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0111/Boehner_pushing_Cino_to_hold_RNC_reception.html
Boehner to Host RNC Party During Tucson Memorial
http://www.rollcall.com/news/-202400-1.html
Boehner hosts cocktail reception for RNC members
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/12/boehner-hosts-cocktail-reception-for-rnc-members/

Senior Democrats - who to date had been impressed with Boehner’s response to the Arizona tragedy - expressed surprise at what they saw as an unmistakable misstep by the new speaker: appearing at a partisan political event on the same night as the the president, first lady Michelle Obama, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the Arizona congressional delegation come together at the memorial service for the victims of an attack that nearly took the life of a member of the House. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) was critically wounded in Saturday’s attack, while six other people died and a dozen more were wounded.

“It is disrespectful for Speaker Boehner to skip joining the President’s and bipartisan congressional delegation to the Tucson Memorial so he could host a Washington D.C. cocktail party for RNC members,” said a Democratic leadership aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity.



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/47521.html

[villager]

1. Just when you think these petty, selfish motherfuckers can 't get any more petty, selfish

...or motherfuckery.

They manage to.

[awoke_in_2003]

43. "motherfuckery"

I am stealing that.

[DesertFlower]

2. the orange man is an ass. nt

[global1]

3. So Much For His Faux Tears.....

as the Speaker of the House he blew it. This was a time for him to shine and he choose the partisan route. He can't even go to visit a Congressional colleague. That's really crappy.

[glinda]

30. I didn't see tears but he blew his nose a lot.

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. That's Tucson's good fortune

not to have that drunken POS in their midst.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

5. That's a CRYING shame... Boehner you listening, CRY!!!! or Drink then Cry!

But regardless,

"LESS SOBS, MORE JOBS!"

[AnneD]

48. Alright you people....

Show more respect for our Weeper of the House. :eyes:

[Drale]

6. Wow could he show he doesn't give a shit

about an attack on human beings? I mean any sain person would have canceled the event to attend the memorial.

[FiveGoodMen]

7. If there were an actual Satan, he'd be too good to join the GOP

[PuraVidaDreamin]

8. Boehner probably never turns down a cocktail party

fundraiser or not.

[Kali]

9. yeah that is where my mind jumped

huge memorial with people crying for legitimate reasons

or

booze?

[Kolesar]

45. :snort:

:rofl:

[valerief]

10. He can see two dozen lobbyists in that time instead of spending it with the prez. nt

[RandySF]

11. God forbid he misses a drink.

[Vinnie From Indy]

12. You can't make this shit up!

Boehhner probably took about five seconds to come to a decision.

"Let's see here...cocktail party or invitation by the President of the United States to attend national memorial services for assassinated House member....cocktail party or invitation by the President of the United States to attend national memorial for assassinated House member..................WooHoo! I choose COCKTAIL PARTY BEYOTCH!"

[verges]

16. To the best of my knowledge...

Giffords is still alive. Therefore, not assassinated. I believe this is a memorial for all the victims living and dead.

[AnneD]

49. But a Federal Judge was kill...

that is viewed as more serious than killing a congressman. It is the judges that enforce the rule of law, Congress just makes the law.

We had a Federal Judge killed here in Texas. The FBI was all over it like white on rice. I had never seen the likes of it since. Things broke down in Columbia and Mexico when the drug cartels started going after the judges. Civil society ends at that point.

[TK421]

13. His priorities are clear for all to see...but I bet you this story will vanish soon

[stlsaxman]

14. Cry-Baby Boehner would rather go drinking...

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

15. For that guy it's always cocktail hour. nt

[snappyturtle]

17. I have never used this kind of language on DU before now:

I find Boehner's choice fucking unbelievable. May his decision become widely known.

[PearliePoo2]

18. They are not serving the 1st of his food groups at the memorial....

The Grape!

[Blue Owl]

19. Orange chicken

why am I suddenly craving Chinese take-out?

[pnorman]

20. That miserable son of a bitch!

Earlier reports had him accompanying the Obamas on Air Force One. I then put my feelings of that asshole aside for the while, and was looking forward to viewing that Memorial Ceremony as a "bring us all together" moment.

I don't think this is cynical of Obama, but I think he's absolutely sincere. He's giving each and every one of those Reptilians a fair chance to show their dedication to American citizenship. So far, most have failed, and the electorate is taking due note!

[liberal N proud]

21. He didn't want to shed any tears for a Democrat

[Marthe48]

23. My husband said at least 3 of the dead were lifelong Republicans

I say: Boehner is a dick, dedicated to making Obama a 1 term prez, and this isn't the first time the small-timers leading the Republican party have refused this kind of overture from our elected President.

My deepest sympathy to all of the victims, and I pray that God is with the survivors.

[liberal N proud]

32. Dedicated to making Obama a 1 term is so true

Him and all of the republicans in Congress. A few have even been so bold to make a statement that is their mission.

[leveymg]

22. Chance for a free drink, or two - can't turn that down, Boner.

[Strelnikov_]

31. . . or Twenty. Frank Gallagher, Speaker of the House n/t

[wordpix]

33. exactly. Party on, Tan Man, keep those $ coming & booze flowing

[alp227]

24. I agree with that aide. Let this be known in 2012 campaign ads. But what about Senate leadership?

John Boehner's political career is shrinking, melting, melting...ooh. I mean: even MINORITY Leader Pelosi and both Democrats and Republicans representing Arizona in Congress are going. Meanwhile, I wonder what the Senate leadership is doing at this moment?

[Kennah]

25. Orange Man probably ...

... walked into the cockpit, slurred his words as he asked where the clutch was on this thing, and ...

[bulloney]

26. This just fits right in with what colleagues have said about Boner.

He rarely puts in any long days because he's on some drinking/partying circuit.

You'd think he could take ONE DAY from his time to do something in the name of diplomacy. Nope! Gotta whore around for money and booze.

I'd bet the ranch that he'd drop what he's doing in Washington if there's a fundraising party in Arizona where his corporate lords hand out huge contributions in exchange for him being their bitch for legislation action.

[NorthCarolina]

27. He's no doubt watching it on theTeeVee at the cocktail bar

[Auggie]

28. An odious snub from the Speaker of the House

[unkachuck]

29. "...so he could host a Washington D.C. cocktail party..."

....this is perfectly understandable....one must have ones' priorities....

....now missing out on RNC politics and/or possible donor contributions would really make that boner cry....

[Historic NY]

35. free booze is more important to Boner. ...it sure sends a message

Democrats don't count for shit.

[ladym55]

34. And I let "my" Speaker know what I thought of his priorities

I used the nifty little "Contact the Speaker" thingie to tell him that he made a really, really bad choice.

We have a worthless, alcohol-soaked lobbyist as our Speaker. Lucky us!

[tavalon]

36. You'd think he would have wanted to go to Tucson

They have lots of sun there and golf courses. He likes both. A lot.

[Arkana]

37. Well it's good to know that Speaker Oompa-Loompa knows

where his fucking bread is buttered.

[TxVietVet]

38. The money-grubbing, drunk showed hisntrue colors.

The boner is playing to his base, BIG money. he would appear weak and a wussy if he'd go to a memorial service for people attacked by one who believed the boner's line of bu$hit.

Besides, there's plenty of conservanazi assholes in Arizona who can represent the boner.:pals:

[DFW]

39. Bonehead had other priorities, let's respect his right to them

But above all, let's NEVER LET AMERICA FORGET WHAT THEY ARE, and that they are not America's priorities.

I imagine the reason Bonehead left early was NOT to avoid being seen downing another Jack Daniels while
Barack Obama was in Tucson praising the courage of a member of Bonehead's chamber, but rather because
as Speaker, it was better that he depart while he could still be seen as capable of doing so on his
own two feet and in something vaguely resembling a straight line.

[chollybocker]

40. "Tucson or Manhattans? Tuscon or Manhattans?"

The Sthpeaker hath sthpoken.

[earcandle]

41. Boehner can fuck off with his elitist crap. Obama, can we leave this fucks behind soon?

[cartach]

42. What do you expect

from a drunk. Chance for a full night of free booze. He'd have to restrain himself while he was in the President's company.

[Rex]

44. Sorry, did you think they really cared about your feelings? Still!?

Eternal suckers.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

46. I love that bipartisanship

To misquote Churchill

From the gallery to the speaker's dias, an iron curtain has descended along the center aisle of the house.

It wasn't boehner's doing, the iron curtain has been there at least since Newt's term.

:hi:

[No Elephants]

47. Isn't the real issue that he is attending a party, rather than a memorial service, not

whether he flew Air Force One or Delta Airlines?

[gauguin57]

50. Boo hoo hoo! Boo hoo hoo! Those poor shooting victims (hey, wanna come to a fundraiser?) booo hooooo

Hey! Look at me! I'm a sobbing, orange douchebag who can't put politics aside for one night to listen to the POTUS talk about putting politics aside!

[hedgehog]

51. Please, let us not confuse the "sobbing, orange douchebag "

with the innocent Syracuse Orangeman!



Silly as he may be, give credit to SU for replacing the previous mascot, the Saltine Warrior.

[SpankMe]

52. Bookmark this idiocy.

He's the third in line for the presidency. A member of a body he leads has almost been killed. And he goes to a political fundraiser instead of the memorial?

So much for compassionate leadership.

And they call us unpatriotic.

[shanti]

55. third in line is a scary thought!

yikes! and to think that nancy pelosi was at the bedside of ms. giffords that day, knowing full well that, as a dem, she didn't even vote for her. nancy pelosi shows that she's the bigger person all the way around.

[Raster]

53. The Orange Boner turning down free drinks and slobbery adulation?

Please

[xxqqqzme]

54. 'reception'? 'host'?

Why not call it what it was - a fundraiser!

[Strawman]

56. Matt Taibbi Really summed him up well

From: "The Crying Shame of John Boehner"

But beyond all of that, Boehner just represents a certain type of hollowly driven, two-faced personality unique to the Beltway. It's not so much that he's likely at any moment to start pounding his fist in favor of something that only yesterday he was denouncing as a threat to the American way of life (when benchmarks in Iraq were a Democratic idea, Boehner said they would ensure failure; when George Bush came out for them, he said they were "very important"). Nor is it so much that he's prone to descending into hysterical hyperbole when the well-being of his campaign donors is threatened in even the vaguest way (he called the watered-down Dodd-Frank financial regulation bill "killing an ant with a nuclear weapon," with the ant in question being a financial crisis that wiped out over 40 percent of the world's wealth). It's more that . . . well, you have to spend a lot of time in Washington to know the type, but he's the kind of guy who would step over his mother to score a political point.

This is true almost in a literal sense. One congressional aide tells a story that goes back many years. Boehner's mother, Mary Ann, had just died. The aide, who at the time worked for a prominent Democratic congressman, suggested that his boss offer Boehner condolences. The Democrat, who had just heard that he was going to face an unexpected challenge from a state senator in his own re-election campaign, went along with the aide's advice, despite the fact that he didn't have a good relationship with Boehner.

The story goes like this: The Democrat approached Boehner, and said, "Hey, John, I'm sorry to hear about your mother."

Boehner, not missing a beat, shot back: "And I'm sorry to hear you have an opponent."

"That's John Boehner in a nutshell," the aide says now. "I mean, this is right after his mother died, and that's where his head was at."

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/matt-taibbi-the-crying-shame-of-john-boehner-20110105

[patrice]

57. wow.

[TEXASYANKEE]

58. Can you imagine the howls of outrage

from the lamestream media if it had been Speaker Pelosi who'd done something like this? But since it's a Rep .... crickets.

[femrap]

59. typical repugnant leadership style....

actually, I think he wanted to say so he could DRINK. I wonder if he's an alcoholic. Seriously.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

60. he is also soulless and NO Statesmen

[Playinghardball]

61. What a Dickhead

[Blasphemer]

62. There is no excuse for his absence. None.

His position required his attendance at what was essentially a National memorial service. There is no logical reason for the House Speaker to decline to travel with the President to such an event. This goes beyond partisan politics. I never trusted him anyway but this is reason to give him MAJOR side-eye.

[AlbertCat]

63. Not enough booze on AF1 for ya, Bonester????

Drunk ass.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

64. I wonder if the bonding experience made him cry in his martini.

[mwb970]

65. There's more to this story than we thought.

Boehner Didn't Really Snub Obama, Tucson Memorial

(from Talking Points Memo)

[classysassy]

66. Mr Speaker

you are a disgusting piece of Elephant dong.

[ProudDad]

67. It's pronounced "Boner" folks, and he'll be appearing here all week...

Let's give him a hand.... :applause: