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Wotta Boehner!
Author: BobR    Date: 07/02/2010 11:16:21

When it comes to politics, there are always those rare birds that epitomize the cliché politician. These guys are hard-drinking narcissists that love power for the sake of power, and are always raising money, posturing for the press, pontificating with obvious insincerity, and so entrenched, they'll never leave. Often caricatures of themselves, they are living cartoons. No current politician fits this bill better than Rep. John Boehner (R-OH).

Who can forget his "impromptu" standing up and storming out of the House in disgust, then walking down the Capitol steps for a press conference where a dais and microphone just happened to be waiting for him. Who can forget his "hell no you can't!" bluster when discussing the health care bill (hell yes they did).

Recently though, things have ventured into the absurd. First was the jaw-dropping statement that the financial reform bill was like "killing an ant with a nuclear weapon". Even President Obama had to make fun of him for that. So how does he respond? He chides Democrats for celebrating the birth of our nation on the Fourth of July:
"With the President failing to lead, Democrats are rushing out of town to watch fireworks and eat macaroni salad instead of getting the American people's work done"

Will Boehner be working at the Capitol this weekend? Perhaps I should drop by his office and offer a helping hand. Surely he wouldn't go home to spend the weekend with his family. Why - that would be just plain hypocritical!

There have also been allegations of laziness and drinking. How does he respond? By claiming he works hard at raising money for Republicans:
QUESTION: Is there any truth to the matter that you're at bars at 5 or 6 o’clock during the day?

BOEHNER: You can go back over the last 16 years and look at my schedule and you'll see you'd be hard-pressed to find a night when I wasn't doing events for my colleagues or my candidates.

So he drinks at bars to raise money for colleagues. What about working for the people who elected him? What about working for the American people? Nope. According to his press rep, he works hard at partying:
Gail Collins noted yesterday that this is, at the very least, a substantial commitment to partying: "1.25 fund-raising events per day." And at an impressive average of $117,000 a pop, Boehner's stacking some serious cheddar. Still, one would hope that one's Congressional representative might actually be able to demonstrate a real work ethic doing the real work of legislating.

However, he does speak out about issues that are near and dear to his heart. I'm talking of course about tanning bed taxes:
Boehner blasted out a press release and tweet warning about a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning beds, which goes into affect today, to help fund the Affordable Care Act. Citing a Wall Street Journal article, Boehner wrote, the tax is "causing all kinds of problems for business owners who provide tanning services."

It does beg the question about whether Boehner goes to the tanning booth himself, or uses the spray-on method. His concern would seem to indicate the former.

You have to wonder what the voters in Ohio's 8th district see in this joke of a congressman. They've been sending him back every two years since 1990. Of course, that district has voted Republican since 1938, so the chances of a Democrat beating him are pretty slim. That hasn't stopped challengers from trying. This year's brave knight is Justin Coussoule. He doesn't stand much of a chance in such a red district, but a little cash floated his way might help.

 

30 comments (Latest Comment: 07/03/2010 00:38:17 by TriSec)
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Comment by wickedpam on 07/02/2010 12:40:24
Morning

Comment by Raine on 07/02/2010 12:46:05
Good Morning!



It's FRIDAY!!!! (in case you forget... )

Comment by TriSec on 07/02/2010 12:52:22
Morning, comrades.



Well gee, I don't sun-worship much these days, but when I do, I still go outside and sit in the *actual* sun.



I'm working on July 4 (Ain't that America, BTW), so I'm a bit miffed that I'll miss the annual Bob Tyler Jazz Jam (Papa TriSec and all his musician friends) on Sunday, but I will be able to get to the local fireworks that night.



I'm planning on running for something again next year; perhaps I will do some outreach to Bone's office for some tips on fundraising.



Thpth.



[And an aside from KO last night on immigration reform. I can secure the borders. Withdraw ALL the troops from Afghanistan and send them to the Mexican border with all their gear. Withdraw ALL the troops from Iraq and send them to the Canadian border with all their gear. But we'd lose their precious war, wouldn't we?]





Comment by TriSec on 07/02/2010 13:07:05
Say now....I recall it was our own Liv that first coined the campaign slogan "Voting for McCain is like voting for a third term of Bush".



After hearing Keith use the term "asshat" on-air last night, I was wondering if we have any rights there. Did one of us come up with that?





Comment by Raine on 07/02/2010 13:25:31
The reason why Boner keeps his job is like Bobber said in the blog, that district is incredibly conservative.

Comment by TriSec on 07/02/2010 13:32:12
When did "conservative" come to mean "fucking idiot" ?





Comment by TriSec on 07/02/2010 13:36:43
Some more interesting things about Mr. Boehner.



Read about the bills he's introduced, and more importantly, how many of them have even made it out of committee. Verra interesting.



His voting record is OK though, counting attendence and votes cast only.



John Boehner missed 458 (4%) of 12,447 roll call votes since Jan 3, 1991.
Not bad, I'd say.



Comment by Raine on 07/02/2010 14:08:55
Comment by Raine on 07/02/2010 14:16:34
Quote by TriSec:

Some more interesting things about Mr. Boehner.



Read about the bills he's introduced, and more importantly, how many of them have even made it out of committee. Verra interesting.



His voting record is OK though, counting attendence and votes cast only.



John Boehner missed 458 (4%) of 12,447 roll call votes since Jan 3, 1991.
Not bad, I'd say.

Bob and I were wondering about this last night. How many bills has he actually introduced and how many got out. From your link:
John Boehner has sponsored 63 bills since Jan 3, 1991 of which 46 haven't made it out of committee and 10 were successfully enacted. Boehner has co-sponsored 1,375 bills during the same time period. (The count of enacted bills considers only bills actually sponsored by Boehner and companion bills identified by CRS that were themselves enacted, but not if they were incorporated into other bills, as that information is not readily available.)




He's been in office for 19 years.

He's introduced 3.3 bills a year. that almost one every 4 months.

Of those that made it out of committe: 17. That averages out to less than one a year.



10 were passed into law. Yup, I think the accusation that Scarborough made about his work ethicsa are spot on.







Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/02/2010 14:22:28
Good morning, bloggers!



BobR, thanks for a great blog on a politician who seems to be completely and madly in love --- with himself.



I have a job counseling appointment at a local university this morning, followed by an interview for an English teacher position this afternoon. So, I will be out for a good chunk of the day.



Also, I will be joining some friends from UNN who live in the Chicago metro area on the Fourth of July for the fireworks at Navy Pier.



So, let me wish everyone a great Independence Day. May we continue to make this country better throughout the year.

Comment by Raine on 07/02/2010 14:24:58
Quote by Will in Chicago:

Good morning, bloggers!



BobR, thanks for a great blog on a politician who seems to be completely and madly in love --- with himself.



I have a job counseling appointment at a local university this morning, followed by an interview for an English teacher position this afternoon. So, I will be out for a good chunk of the day.



Also, I will be joining some friends from UNN who live in the Chicago metro area on the Fourth of July for the fireworks at Navy Pier.



So, let me wish everyone a great Independence Day. May we continue to make this country better throughout the year.
Sounds like a lot of goodness, Will. Say hi to the friends from me!



Comment by wickedpam on 07/02/2010 14:26:04
Good Luck Will

Comment by Raine on 07/02/2010 14:30:01
Wait, What? Hal Sparks is getting a Saturday Radio show? I have only been sorta listening this morning, but I just heard the advertisement on the Chicago station!



CONGRATULATIONS HAL!!!!

Comment by wickedpam on 07/02/2010 14:52:38
I wasn't paying that close attention either - that's awesome



I enjoy it very much when Hal subs

Comment by livingonli on 07/02/2010 15:28:44
Good morning everyone.



The boner is a fucking asshat.

Comment by livingonli on 07/02/2010 15:30:41
I am working 12-hour shifts both Saturday and Sunday, so that's my holiday weekend.

Comment by Raine on 07/02/2010 15:30:44
Update... (and please take blood pressure pills)



RNC Tries To Explain Steele's Afghanistan Comments
The Chairman clearly supports our troops but believes that success of the war effort in Afghanistan requires the ongoing support of the American people.



The responsibility for building and maintaining that strategy falls squarely on the shoulders of the President. Like so many Americans, Chairman Steele wants to hear an explanation from President Obama on what his strategy is for winning the war in Afghanistan. The Petraeus hearings were an opportunity - a missed opportunity - to do that. Instead, all we hear from the President is criticism of his predecessor for doing exactly the same thing.



At the same time, Congress must stop playing politics with the war and provide the funding our troops need to win and come home.




*sigh*

Comment by livingonli on 07/02/2010 16:12:31
The Dutch have knocked out Brazil. I wonder if Rachel is indeed right about that world cup spot being a jinx.

Comment by TriSec on 07/02/2010 16:22:47
We've got our daily dose of av-dorkery....



On this date in 1900, the first Zeppelin (LZ-1) took to the air over Lake Lucerne...and in 1937 on this date, Amelia Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific.



Comment by Mondobubba on 07/02/2010 16:37:07
Quote by Raine:

Quote by TriSec:

Some more interesting things about Mr. Boehner.



Read about the bills he's introduced, and more importantly, how many of them have even made it out of committee. Verra interesting.



His voting record is OK though, counting attendence and votes cast only.



John Boehner missed 458 (4%) of 12,447 roll call votes since Jan 3, 1991.
Not bad, I'd say.

Bob and I were wondering about this last night. How many bills has he actually introduced and how many got out. From your link:
John Boehner has sponsored 63 bills since Jan 3, 1991 of which 46 haven't made it out of committee and 10 were successfully enacted. Boehner has co-sponsored 1,375 bills during the same time period. (The count of enacted bills considers only bills actually sponsored by Boehner and companion bills identified by CRS that were themselves enacted, but not if they were incorporated into other bills, as that information is not readily available.)




He's been in office for 19 years.

He's introduced 3.3 bills a year. that almost one every 4 months.

Of those that made it out of committe: 17. That averages out to less than one a year.



10 were passed into law. Yup, I think the accusation that Scarborough made about his work ethicsa are spot on.









But I be his constituent services kill!

Comment by livingonli on 07/02/2010 16:39:23
Tonight on MSG, we're breaking form LeBron watch to run The Song Remains the Same.

Comment by Raine on 07/02/2010 16:44:34
Quote by Mondobubba:

But I be his constituent services kill!
As long as you buy him a drink, I suspect.





Comment by Mondobubba on 07/02/2010 16:53:27
Quote by Raine:

Quote by Mondobubba:

But I be his constituent services kill!
As long as you buy him a drink, I suspect.







The Boner's favorite quote from Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy: I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly...

Comment by Raine on 07/02/2010 16:56:36
Quote by Raine:

Update... (and please take blood pressure pills)



RNC Tries To Explain Steele's Afghanistan Comments
The Chairman clearly supports our troops but believes that success of the war effort in Afghanistan requires the ongoing support of the American people.



The responsibility for building and maintaining that strategy falls squarely on the shoulders of the President. Like so many Americans, Chairman Steele wants to hear an explanation from President Obama on what his strategy is for winning the war in Afghanistan. The Petraeus hearings were an opportunity - a missed opportunity - to do that. Instead, all we hear from the President is criticism of his predecessor for doing exactly the same thing.



At the same time, Congress must stop playing politics with the war and provide the funding our troops need to win and come home.




*sigh*
Update 2... This is getting REALLY REALLY good. between Him and Boehner... Top Republicans Pile On Steele, Call For His Ouster
It has been prosecuted by the United States under Presidents Bush and Obama. Republicans have consistently supported the effort. Indeed, as the DNC Communications Director (of all people) has said, your statement "puts [you] at odds with about 100 percent of the Republican Party."

....There are, of course, those who think we should pull out of Afghanistan, and they're certainly entitled to make their case. But one of them shouldn't be the chairman of the Republican party.
That was Bill Kristol, btw....



So who exactly wants us to stay there? THE GOP. If there was ever a question about it. We now have an answer.











Comment by Mondobubba on 07/02/2010 17:14:21
Just ignore the crap about modern business leaders, mmmmkay?

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/02/2010 17:25:25
I'm not making this up. I went into the bedroom to put on my shorts and Missy walked across the bed burbling at my like she does. It sounded like she said "Breitbart!" I need have a talk with her about swearing.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/02/2010 21:21:45
Wow I don't killed the blog with "Breitbart." Sorry guys

Comment by livingonli on 07/02/2010 22:19:57
I thik everyone's in Holiday Weekend mode except me since I'm working.

Comment by TriSec on 07/03/2010 00:38:17
Evening, folks. Ready to fire up the sim...I'll be taking my Saab 340B up to Portland Int'l Jetport from Hanscom.



This will be my first flight on "the system" since I re-installed everything. We'll see how it goes.