Boehner's Rep Responds To Scarborough: He Works Hard... At Partying!

On yesterday's edition of "Morning Joe", host Joe Scarborough caused a bit of a stir when he said that "every Republican I talk to on the Hill" tells him that House Minority Leader John Boehner "is not a hard worker." Scarborough repeated, and stood by those comments again today. It's important to note the context: Scarborough was comparing Boehner to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who worked hard at crafting policy proposals, leading his caucus and fostering the growth of his party's political fortunes. By contrast, Boehner, Scarborough related, is "disengaged" and "does not have a work ethic."

Hilariously, the Boehner camp's response was basically: Oh, yeah? Well I'll have you know that the Minority Leader goes to LOTS of parties! Per ThinkProgress:

Responding to Scarborough's comments, Boehner's spokesman Michael Steel said "the only time he's 'around town' these days is to raise money for our House Republican team. Thus far this year, he's headlined more than 230 events and raised about $27 million.

Mark Halperin highlighted this distinction as the "Morning Joe" panel revisited the discussion this morning:

WATCH:

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. Steel's defense of his boss basically reads like a moment of accidental truth-telling. (Though he left out how good Boehner is at spending PAC money on golf outings.)

Still, we all have our strengths and Boehner's strength appears to be serving as the GOP's version of Ke$ha. Hey! Maybe one day he can take over Sally Quinn's old column!

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Comments

[DLCA]

07:15 PM on 07/09/2010

and this is who the GOBPers want to be the Speaker of the House and 2nd in line for the Presidency (after the VP). Boehner is the poster child for GOBP; out to lunch (except when raising $$$ to pay for being out to lunch).

[dutch163]

08:14 AM on 07/06/2010

and Boehner wants to raise retirement age to 70 for the rest of us?

there is something seriously wrong with this man

[mvtaylor0487]

01:23 PM on 07/02/2010

Dang it I have been saying this guy was a drunk for years. You can just look at him and tell. That aint now booth tan. And it certainly isnt a natural sun tan. Thats the alcoholic tan you get when your caucasian or lighter skinned. I know it, Ive seen it all my life.

[MrsTarquinBiscuitbarrel]

12:39 PM on 07/02/2010

Staying orange is HARD WORK!!!

[jasev01]

12:17 PM on 07/02/2010

Boener " yeah I'm drunk and so what."

[HippieDippieWeatherman]

09:49 AM on 07/02/2010

Riiight. Care to share these "neutral outlets"?

What are they, Drudge, Rasmussen, Politico?

[drricklippin]

08:59 AM on 07/02/2010

I've read enough and had it with this jerk- House Minority Leader John Boehner

He is what is known as a functioning alcoholic and should step down

Rick Lippin
Southampton,Pa

[Ed C Atlanta]

06:54 AM on 07/02/2010

1.25 fundraising events per day,then getting in front of the cameras to say something looney, seems as if boehner is doing no work at all, just partying all day, on our dollars.

[truthfinderddw]

06:43 AM on 07/02/2010

Good commentary by all you good folks. You have made my Friday morning! You can't get rid of these goofs, so might as well laugh at them!

[Nealo]

06:14 AM on 07/02/2010

The GOP has to settle on one of their memes. Is Obama an out of touch, incompetent boob who is not up for the job? OR Is Obama the brilliant, Kenyan born, Manchurian candidate style Bolshevik with secret fiendish plans to turn us into Maoist China. The two narratives are incompatible...

[Sharon Hunt]

10:26 AM on 07/02/2010

what does that have to do with this post?

[Nealo]

11:07 AM on 07/02/2010

Because in the same statement Boehner went on and on about how disengaged Obama was and how he wasn't in touch with the American people. SO, what it has to do with the post is a direct comment on the things he said in the speech and how the GOP can't seem to get their story straight on Obama.

[hollace]

03:55 AM on 07/02/2010

he looks like he is really sick.

[SiameseTrainer]

03:44 AM on 07/02/2010

Oh for Keeeerist sake, what does it take to moderate this simple thread? Have they cut your hours or what?!! Get some west coast mods, it is easy enough, it is half of your clientele after all.

[mftinvermont]

05:58 AM on 07/02/2010

What the hell are you talking about?

[SiameseTrainer]

07:59 PM on 07/02/2010

I am talking about waiting for thirty minutes for the appearence of a simple post. And you are so concerned because.....

[SiameseTrainer]

03:40 AM on 07/02/2010

Somewhere there is a small and select group of pig farmers and Ohiowans who spend way too much time in unventilated pig barns breathing in pig produced methane who elect this cipher, continually. That Orange tan is something that sets him off from them, they think it is the cats meow. But it is the Nations nemesis. Who is going to bell the Cat?

[plaidsportcoat]

06:03 AM on 07/02/2010

"You are an effin' CIPHER! That's what you are, you CIPHER, you!"

Good word, that!

[mainemomma]

06:51 AM on 07/02/2010

I get it! Having lived in Ohio..... it's not just the farmers that would be impressed with this agent orange..... but the dumbeddown populace. Only in Ohio would someone paint their house scarlet and grey.... with a big 'ole O on the garage door...

[SiameseTrainer]

08:03 PM on 07/02/2010

Are you sure that was an O on the garage door? More likely a target, or directional aid to help avoid missing the door. ;>} !!

[tommy b]

03:37 AM on 07/02/2010

This guy always has a look of discomfort on his face. I think he needs an enima That could also account for his strange coloring

[yellowdoggie]

03:05 AM on 07/02/2010

Good job on Rachel Maddow tonight!