Boehner Cites Not Knowing Whether Three Of His Brothers Have Found Jobs As Evidence Of 'Empathy'

The Hill:

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) revealed on Wednesday that three of his brothers lost their jobs during the recession.

Boehner, who has 11 siblings, said he's not sure whether the three brothers remain unemployed.

"I've got real empathy for those who are unemployed, as most of you know I've got 11 brothers and sisters. I know that three of my brothers lost their jobs, I'm not sure whether they've found jobs, yet, so I've got a lot of empathy for those caught in this economic downturn," Boehner said.

Read the whole story: The Hill

Comments

[graciesgra]

01:16 AM on 07/25/2010

Hard to believe that he doesn't know whether or not his brothers are working. I certainly keep track of my siblings and children better than that.

[BigHound1]

02:55 AM on 07/24/2010

He surely shows his brotherly love. If one of his unemployed brothers were in his shoes, what would he do?

Let me be crystal clear on the statements Mr. Boehner made: He was able to work through many issues with Ted Kennedy but cannot find room to work with President Obama on any of them. Ted Kennedy was a progressive liberal, proud liberal, while President Obama is a moderate progressive.

Are you telling me that your disagreement with Mr. Obama is politics only?????

[MetrointheWoods]

03:00 PM on 07/23/2010

You know, it wouldn't surprise if Fake-Bake Boehner is an only child. If he's not, here's a tip for his siblings: if you want to see your brother more often (why, I don't know), buy a set of heat lamps or a tanning bed. Do that and he'll be over every weekend.

[scottowego]

02:34 PM on 07/23/2010

I guess his three brothers are lazy drug addicts!
Hahahahahaha!!!!!!

[Carolyn LeBeauf]

01:25 PM on 07/23/2010

This creep is probably shun by his brothers.

[QuintinJordon]

12:17 PM on 07/23/2010

Please, we must understand that John Boehner's empathy only starts when he is looking in to the bottom of an empty shot glass.

If you are looking for the man, you will find him at the bar by six o clock, Eastern Standard Time.

[cambridge02140]

12:22 PM on 07/23/2010

Is it true his favorite adult beverage is "Rob Roys"???

[feyangel]

08:49 AM on 07/23/2010

If he actually had empathy, he'd know whether or not his brothers have found work-- cos he'd be an integral part of their support system.

[Alien Nation]

02:12 AM on 07/23/2010

What a family man!

[ESerafina42]

01:07 AM on 07/23/2010

C'mon, Mr. Boehner - according to your philosophy your unemployed brothers should be supported by more fortunate family and friends - this means YOU. If you were doing that, you'd KNOW whether they had found work, wouldn't you?

[splashy]

10:59 PM on 07/24/2010

Ain't that the truth!

[VOTER]

01:05 AM on 07/23/2010

What a Creep!

[EmberOfTruth]

12:46 AM on 07/23/2010

"After losing their jobs at local scotch distillery, the Boehner brothers soon lost contact with their more famous Congressman brother..."

[seaguyjd]

12:31 AM on 07/23/2010

Typical Republican family values. Like Palin, so close to his Brothers he can see them from... wait, no not quite.. I guess he can't see them, call them, or care enough to keep in touch. It's amazing to me that these people who profess to put family first, stand all over that platform and then don't deliver what they preach. Sarah's latest rant was all about the mama grizzly bears and how protective they are over their young.. later the news breaks about her daughter announcing her engagement... who was the last mama bear to know... then compare to those crazy liberty mama's like Hilary Clinton.. her daughter turned out amazing- grounded, educated, and getting married before having child.....

[miriamfl]

10:07 AM on 07/23/2010

Exactly!!! Fan and Faved!

[cynt77]

12:19 AM on 07/23/2010

“I’ve got real empathy for those who are unemployed, as most of you know I’ve got 11 brothers and sisters. I know that three of my brothers lost their jobs, I’m not sure whether they’ve found jobs, yet, so I’ve got a lot of empathy for those caught in this economic downturn,” Boehner said.

How can he have empathy for his unemployed - or not -brothers? He obviously has not inquired about their welfare or their familys' Did he say hey, bro, you need a couple dollars to tide you over? Or, I'll keep my ear to the ground for a job opportunity. What good is having friends in high places? Boehner is full of sh?t!

[ESerafina42]

01:09 AM on 07/23/2010

Also, wasn't empathy a bad thing just last when it was invoked by Obama before nominating Sotomayor? Of course, the "empathy" that Rep. Boehner has "got" is something completely different, and certainly not real.

[Joan Jacobs]

12:18 PM on 07/23/2010

times 2

[sculptor]

12:04 AM on 07/23/2010

I guess the new Republican definition of empathy must be ignorance. It sounds like this will work well for them since the can now all legitimately claim they are highly empathetic. ;-)

[ThankGodhesgone]

11:39 PM on 07/22/2010

Maybe his brothers are collecting unemployment and are like the rest of us unemployed, lazy, drug takers who have a disinsentive to find work. At least that's the arguments I hear from the Rep side.

[njstarrr]

11:44 PM on 07/22/2010

Aren't they his constituents?

[Joan Jacobs]

12:20 PM on 07/23/2010

They're probably sitting poolside, or in the tanning salon, sipping Margaritas, turning down job offers, while collecting those HUGE unemployment checks - oh, wait - not for the last few weeks at least. Maybe that's how he found out they were unemployed - they asked him for money. I'm sure he'd be really generous, too!