DNC Blasts Boehner For Claiming GOP No Longer Plans To Legislate

Democrats are taking aim at Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) for admitting that he has advised his fellow House Republicans to no longer think of themselves as "legislators," but rather as mere "communicators."

"As I told my colleagues, we don't have enough votes to legislate," Boehner said, according to Saturday's New York Times. "We are not in the majority. We are not kind-of in the minority; we are in a hole. They ought to get the idea out of their minds that they are legislators. But what they can be is communicators."

By Saturday afternoon, the Democratic National Committee has released a web ad highlighting the quote, arguing that Boehner had admitted that Republicans are focused entirely on winning a public relations war with the White House.

From the DNC press release:

Boehner defended his Party's refusal to offer an alternative to any of the Obama Administration's plans, including the President's budget, by saying his party's lawmakers don't have to offer any plans and, in fact, "ought to get the idea out of their minds that they are legislators." It was the second time in a month Boehner has been quoted telling his caucus to stop offering policy alternatives and just say "no" to everything the President proposes.

The DNC's new web ad, called "No Responsibility," contrasts President Obama's responsible plan to create jobs by investing in health care, energy independence and schools with Congressman Boehner's insistence that his Party has no responsibility to say anything but "no" despite the economic crisis facing our country.

This video is also part a broader political story about the return of the DNC to the daily political fray.

Barely a week had passed after November's election before operatives at the Republican National Committee were back in campaign mode, blasting out stories that undercut Barack Obama and trying to shape the national media narrative.

Now, after a longer period of reorganizing and staff overhauls -- with Brad Woodhouse taking over as director of communications and research -- the Democratic National Committee is back in the game as well. In this case, the DNC highlighted a potentially damaging quote, drove it into the media discussion, and turned around a web ad advancing their message in a matter of hours.

Comments

[nana4g]

We know they are not legislators because they never do any legislating even when in the majority. They just go along with whatever their party president wants. And when in the minority, they just say no as they did during Clinton Administration and now. I never think of Republicans in Congress as "legislators". Actually, they are not "communicators" either. Everything that comes out of their mouths is pre programmed, a party line, the spin of the day, and it is divisive, inciteful, ignorant, and untruthful. They do make a lot of noise that signifies nothing and they do nothing. Throughout their state governments and in the USA government, they simply occupy a seat and an office but they actually do nothing. They take no ownership of what went wrong under their "occupation" and, as in the one day the market went up a little, they are out there giving Bush credit for it. They really are pathetic. I have a visceral reaction everytime anyone from that Administration rears it's ugly self to make a statement. I wish the MSM would not invite their comments. It is just another irritant in a very stressful time and they have nothing constructive or soothing to say. They just try to improve or correct their image and their history with lies. The rest of us have more important things with which to concern ourselves than their "legacy".

[JPR47]

I agree that that the republicans can no longer legislate. However, this has nothing to do with the # of positions held. It has to do with the lack of leadership. Leaders speak their own ideas and not the talking points handed to them by a few "behind the scenes leaders". When you listen to these bozo's speaking in the public it becomes evident that some one is telling these people EXACTLY what to say...

There is no independent or original thought coming from the Repubs. It has become evident that the strongest leaders among them are Limbaugh, Coulter, et al Its time for the republican party to completely collapse and rebuild it self...

Mr Bohner you are right, that said its time for you to go away along with your cronies and let some true leaders into the party...

[CRA1]

It's the tanning lights and cream that are eating his pee size brain!

[munki]

also

Bombarding them with letters and emails may be a cheaper and more effective way. Everyone hates bad publicity. https://securecontent.aig.com/contact-aig_20_19050.html

[JimBozo]

If these guys aren't legislators now, but only communicators, shouldn't the RNC be signing their paychecks, rather than the taxpayers? Seems only fair to me.

And didn't we have enough of the "endless" campaign already?

[nana4g]

This is a very good point. We should all email Boehner and tell him that, since they are no longer "legislators" but, rather, "communicators", we will stop paying their salaries. I am going to do that; let's all do that!

[ReasonableBill]

Boehner and his following puppy Eric Holder are the little boys who do not like how the game is going, so they are going to take their marbles and go home - and tell mommy how the children were mean to them. Sad, but watching Cantor on Meet he Press proves it.

[Joeinloth]

You mean Eric CANTOR! Supposedly, one of their bright lights! Yawn!! This guy couldn't light a refrigerator!

[Dan Conner]

That's OK, the Republicans have never had a good idea anyway. So, I guess no idea is better than a bunch of bad ideas. Maybe they should consult the GOP guru Sarah Palin. She's full of it...er, ideas?

[deke4]

Boehner, another little dictator. This is his and the Bush idea of bipartisanship. And pray tell, what happened to the idea that legislators should think for themselves and vote their convictions. Is it possible that the category of people known as Republican Legislators can only OBEY.

[PWM]

Rushpublicans cannot think - it hurts too much. They rather just walk around like zombies.

[filo]

Here is the GOP response to the ad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtMV44yoXZ0&feature=related

[greatlardini]

I didn't know the GOP favored Marx-ism!!!

[filo]

Well they are Grouchy !

[Grunty1]

They are more into fasicsm.

[Bruce Whitaker]

Hilarious!!

[greatlardini]

"Out of their minds". For the first time in his life, Boehner is correct.

[JPettus]

We vote them off the island entirely in 2010 and give Obama and the Dems a filibuster-proof majority. Then we nag, cajole, threaten and harass our elected officials to do their damned jobs and fix the mess that the GOP handed this country.

[aflyinyoursoup]

The DNC shouldn't Blast Boehner for keeping the GOP from legislating!
They should throw the little twerp a Ticker Tape Parade for getting these clowns "OUT OF THE WAY"!

[Joeinloth]

Who the hell said that they're outta the way!

[Grunty1]

They are not "out of the way". They are mere sitting on the sidelines with sniper rifles.

[iswideopen]

The republican party is shameful. Americans all across the country are hurting in the worst way. We already "get it" that you don't have a care in the world and are "comfortable", so compassion for others is not necessary, according to them. The GOP motto is "I got mine, now you get yours". It crushes the spirit of decent human beings; it actually hurts to see this continued behavior. Just because President Obama has a plan and a vision that you don't like, doesn't mean you get to obstruct as America crumbles. Stop blaming him for your lack of intelligence. You lost the election. How do you people live with yourselves? Everybody, no matter your walk of life needs help in this life at sometime or another, each in different ways. All you have to do is live long enough.

[aflyinyoursoup]

Thanks for that.....

[traveler501]

I agree...how do we just move these guys off the field altogether?

[kev1000]

I'm all in favor of a multi-million dollar earmark which would purchase us a barge full of bulldozers.

[PWM]

It reminds me of the Hoover years, when as FDR was trying to keep people from starving and freezing to death, the GOP was poo pooing his efforts and accusing any attempt to lessen the suffering as socialism.

[Grunty1]

Actually, the GOP motto is closer to "I got mine, now give me yours"

Quickly followed by "Do as I say, not as I do"

[jerseymaiden]

By all means DON'T legislate!!! Your legislation is what's got us in the mess we're in! For that matter, don't even communicate! Just call in sick for the next 4 to 8 years. That would be helpful.

[Girl28]

Haha! Lol!

[Tahut]

Won't that make them welfare legislators ?

[Robert Cantor]

When we were kids we would play ball and if the game was changed one kid would always walk away rather then play the new game.