John Boehner: Obama Is In 'Denial (VIDEO)

House Republican leader John Boehner criticized President Obama on Thursday, saying that the president and other Democrats are in "denial" about Tuesday's midterm elections, in which scores of Democrats were ousted from Congress as Republicans regained control of the House of Representatives.

In an interview with ABC's "World News," the Speaker-in-waiting said he believes "there seems to be some denial on the part of the president and other Democratic leaders of the message that was sent by the American people." Boehner told Diane Sawyer that "when you have the most historic election in over 60, 70 years, you would think the other party would understand that the American people have clearly repudiated the policies they've put forward in the last few years."

Boehner insisted that he holds no "personal animosity" towards President Obama, but took direct aim at the president's signature legislative accomplishment. Asked about health care reform, Boehner said, "I'm pretty confident that come next year that we will have the votes to repeal that [health care] bill and replace it with common sense reforms to bring down the cost of health insurance and expand access."

The Ohio Republican delivered a blunt message about the House of Representatives. "The place is broken," he said. He also shared his thoughts on Nancy Pelosi and her legacy at the post that Boehner will likely soon occupy. "I think it's too early to predict what it [history] will say, other than the partisanship got worse, not better."

Boehner spoke about his relationship with the president, telling Sawyer:

"Well, we just really haven't spent much time together. You know? He -- he came and spent four years in the Senate. We didn't have a lot of contact -- with junior Senators. And -- when he was elected to the White House with big Democrat majorities in the House and Senate. And, you know, they tended to go their own way. There were a couple of perfunctory meetings along the way where he invited us down and asked for our ideas. But there really hasn't been the opportunity to spend -- any time together."

Boehner did, however, jokingly counter Obama's offer to drink Slurpees together with a proposal to have a glass of merlot. Click here for the full transcript of the interview.

Comments

[coco51]

06:14 PM on 11/15/2010

Where's the tan?

[cadawa]

10:09 PM on 11/15/2010

He took a shower,

[PinaColada]

02:43 PM on 11/13/2010

It has been rumored through the halls of Congress that Boehner too is in deep denial. He still cannot believe that he has to contend with Michelle Bachmann being in his party. The word was that he has been seen sullenly walking with his head down, shaking his head, and mumbling to himself the words - bachmann backmann backmann. Why is she happening to me?

[Mar23]

07:07 PM on 11/07/2010

The ouster of Democrats, while painful in some case, was nowhere near as terrible as it could have been. Frankly, it spoke of a great deal of uncertainty. For Mr. Boehrner to assume he has some kind of sweeping mandate is just foolish. He may feel it's necessary politically to sound like the leader of a mighty army. But his choice of targets -- health care -- reveals his true weakness and timidity.

[noirblanc]

05:20 PM on 11/10/2010

He seems to have forgotten 2006

[JAGJR]

12:41 AM on 11/07/2010

IF the re-repubs get out of line they will get slapped down as well, the people are tired of not having their voices comprehended... and respected.

[Jack Cox]

12:35 AM on 11/07/2010

No Mr. Boehner your in Denial. This was a midterm election, the people that hated Obama's policies came out in droves, but when the Presidential Election happens you will definitely see a much much bigger turnout and when that happens you will see just how wrong you were. And also John when you guys were soundly beaten in 2008, the Dems absolutely had no Obligation to let you in on anything but they did anyway.

[libluv235]

11:43 PM on 11/06/2010

Repubs are in denial if they think this country is moving in their direction. Stealing, cheating, lying are their American values.

[Buhe]

11:23 PM on 11/06/2010

John Boehner is going to find out the hard way what happens when he goes too far and thinks he can get away with it.

[Xenopus]

11:19 PM on 11/06/2010

Obama is in denial? I thought he was in India.

[Dustee]

10:51 PM on 11/06/2010

Mr. Boehner, where are the jobs? !

[alon friedman]

10:46 PM on 11/06/2010

I think John Boehner is misreading the elecetion - there are 22 million people unemployed due to GOP policies of the recent past - and these people are desperate for a change. But the GOP refuses to extend unemplyoment insurance, fights against healthcare for these people, and wants to cut back spending. The GOP has made promises to create jobs - but the people will soon see they were sold snake oil - what the GOP really is giving them is more trickle down economics, which does not benefit the 22 million out of work Americans who need help now, to pay bills, and eat.

They have all been hoodwinked by the devil, who was found a receptive host in the hearts of the GOP.

[AmericanDreamWarrior]

11:25 PM on 11/06/2010

Let me be #2.

I agree but unfortunately the majority of people that voted in Obama and further dem majorities (the other historic election that he seems to want to forget and ignore) opted to stay home instead of getting out to vote.

I watched a rally last weekend that Boehner attended in his district and the audience was a see of white and grey. Until they get it what the GOP is about, we'll always have people like the orange man and turtle duo in office. What they don't get is that all those unemployed aren't working, which means all those "lazy" people that can't figure out how to get jobs when its 1 applicant for every 7 jobs arent paying into them staying home waiting for a social security check. That the medicare system was one of the things affected in "Obamacare" (which now that the election is over, no ones calling that anymore). That wallstreet will continue to play with their savings and more people foreclosed on. Until GOP finally gets their full wishlist and puts social security into wallstreets hands.

It won't be until white older Americans are affected that things have a slight chance of getting the GOP out and things get better but then again the GOP has got skills when blameshifting their failures onto the other party.

[CATNIP1]

10:22 PM on 11/06/2010

Wow, Mr Boehner, can you spell "EXECUTIVE POWER" ? Bush did it, and the Republicans didn't seam to mind. So, It's time for Mr. Obama to let the Republican-Tea Party fight it out amongst themselves.

[ChicagoBlackRainbowWomen]

10:04 PM on 11/06/2010

I dont think Agent Orange knows what denial means.

[Alfredo Zapata]

09:49 PM on 11/06/2010

John Boehner: Obama Is In 'Denial"

Alfredo: Boehner is in a "Banana Boat"

[libwithaclue]

09:44 PM on 11/06/2010

He doesn't know it yet, but he will be the most hated man in America, maybe the world, if he fu@k up enough.

[Birdman]

09:35 PM on 11/06/2010

Amazing how power went to this mans head so quickly.. We are in for a fun 2 years... I wonder how long it will take the baggers and GOP hacks to draft some Bill demanding a birth certificate from the president.

[Alfredo Zapata]

09:50 PM on 11/06/2010

I can't wait for the Boehner circus, and that clown Cantor comes to town.