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Mark Kelly, Gabrielle Giffords' Husband, Knocks John Boehner In New Memoir

Mark Kelly Gabrielle Giffords John Boehner

First Posted: 11/15/11 06:34 PM ET Updated: 11/16/11 08:39 AM ET

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' husband came out swinging against House Speaker John Boehner over his decision not to visit the injured congresswoman.

In the couple's new joint memoir, "Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope", Mark Kelly expressed his disappointment in Boehner's efforts to check in on Giffords.

"Considering that she was a member of Congress and he was the highest-ranking member, we thought he'd ask to visit Gabby or at least give a call to see how she was doing," Kelly writes, via The Hill. "Our only contact with him had been a simple get-well card he'd sent a few days after Gabby was injured."

While Boehner did not make a formal visit, The Hill adds that he did send a get-well card. Boehner made his views clear on the security situation surrounding the shooting. Back in late January, Boehner told "Fox News Sunday" that increased security might not have been enough to prevent the incident.

"We're out in the public. We're talking to our constituents, out talking to the American people," he said. "We have a very open society in America. There is risk with our job."

Despite that danger, Giffords vows to return to Congress in the book, writing: "I will get stronger. I will return." The memoir is told mostly from Kelly's perspective, but the last chapter is written by Giffords herself.

Tuesday's book release represents one part of the couple's busy week. On Monday, Giffords did her first television interview since being shot, telling ABC News' Diane Sawyer that her recovery was "difficult" but she felt "pretty good."

Giffords showcased similar spirits in a recorded message released on Tuesday. She delivered positive words to her Southern Arizona constituents, telling supporters that she misses them.

"I'm getting stronger," the Congresswoman said. "I'm getting better."

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Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' husband came out swinging against House Speaker John Boehner over his decision not to visit the injured congresswoman. In the couple's new joint memoir, "Gabby: A Story of ...
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' husband came out swinging against House Speaker John Boehner over his decision not to visit the injured congresswoman. In the couple's new joint memoir, "Gabby: A Story of ...
Filed by Chris Gentilviso  | 
 
 
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06:08 PM on 11/23/2011
I wonder what was exchanged for Mark Kelly to pull a stunt like that.................and turned a blind eye to Obama using the MEMORIAL of the persons KILLED in a senseless slaughter - for Obama to campaign for re-election - placing t-shirts and propoganda on everyone's chairs in the auditorium.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
stevestrange
Let me think about it..See what happens.
05:43 PM on 11/18/2011
I agree with Mark Kelly on this,...Boehner is the Speaker of the House,...Gabby Giffords is a fellow member,...Out of respect for her tragic injury..And respect for the institution of the House...Boehner should have visited....That was a key oppurtunity to move beyond partisanship...And into the field of basic humanity and decency.
06:09 PM on 11/23/2011
wow..........who would think that it would be appropriate to visit her in her condition - without it being a Major Ordeal?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
stevestrange
Let me think about it..See what happens.
07:46 PM on 11/23/2011
Ummm...You're a little late to the party are'nt you?...Ha ha...I'd forgotten that post...But jokes aside,...Other members visited her...And he's the leader of the House...He should have...But if you feel differently...Whatever...That's you.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
CL38
04:06 PM on 11/18/2011
He only sheds tears over Republicans.
01:52 PM on 11/18/2011
Interesting to scroll down the comments and see post deleted. It’s easy to figure out they didn’t agree with the rush to bust on Boehner. Yet, we can see the vilest comments about Speaker of the House left for everyone to read. Like him or not he is an elected official and holds a very high place in government. The HuffPo Moderators must really be pleased with themselves. Striking comments because you don’t like them makes you look like the very organization you hate the most, FOX News. Everyone should have an equal voice and self-imposed moderators not allowing all comments no matter how bad they are only divides people even more than they are. You can hide in your cocoons all you want, but every so often you need to stick your heads out so you have an understanding where everyone is.
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blindsquirl
Compliance is not a virtue
04:29 PM on 11/18/2011
Our "elected officials" are NOT entitled to ANY respect they do NOT EARN.
10:11 AM on 11/19/2011
Well, that sure applies to Obama because he sure has not done anything to earn respect.
06:12 PM on 11/23/2011
@ Pavlo:

CHEERS!!!!!! Great post.........!

HuffPo moderators are slipping. AOL was more open to all sides. Since HuffPo was bought by AOL, ya'll should get with it.
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Scheherazade Brown
11:58 PM on 12/02/2011
just did...
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Wuud52
01:28 PM on 11/18/2011
Boehner, if you regarded your Congressional cohorts as team members trying to work for America instead of enemies that you are trying to kick out of office, then maybe you would see why it was important to reach out with more than a cheap card.
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BayArea24
Happiness = Dynamic Tranquility. Eli Siegel, Poet
11:56 AM on 11/18/2011
Morena said it well: "This isn't about politics. This is basic courtesy. Something required of even small children."

And great comment from Jplanner "Her loving protective husband, a former Navy pilot and veteran of the (first) Iraq war, no doubt understood and felt that disrespect in her being ignored. Such men tend to understand loyalty and honor and not forgetting your wounded."
11:24 AM on 11/18/2011
I wouldn't want him to visit me, ever.
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jejmjr67
no good deed goes unpunished
10:20 AM on 11/18/2011
Should Boehner have gone to see her, yes. The fact is most of the people who went to see her were there for the photo op or a line in the papers. Most politicians only care about one person, THEMSELVES. They are probably glad she didn't die although there are a few anti Second Amendment nutjobs who would have been happy to use her death as a spring board to try and get more gun control through Congress. To say Republicans don't care is only half of the statement that is true. the Democrats only really care because they want her vote and are afraid a Republican might get the seat in a new election. The fact is she should not run until she can be a fully functioning representative. We have enough members who couldn't fully function without an act of God to help them.
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smp276dp
free us from the craziness
09:10 AM on 11/18/2011
This is a stark reminder that the republican's have no HEART. If they don't care about their co-workers what does that say to their consituents? They care even less about you. Vote this bum out and put him on the unempolyment line with the other 14 million American's.
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shradt
08:21 AM on 11/18/2011
hes a total ass...hell be one reason of many why the republicans will lose
07:39 AM on 11/18/2011
Probably Boener was crying sohard he couldn't speak and that is why he didn't phone. And if he had visited his weeping might have upset Gabby. You see he is really a caring and thoughtful man.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
smp276dp
free us from the craziness
09:13 AM on 11/18/2011
Have you had anything to drink today. He could careless about anyone but himself.
That is evident in what he is doing for the American people. NOTHING. And less for his constituents. They just get Obama out of office. How does that help anyone?
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CL38
04:08 PM on 11/18/2011
I think and hope pinkibus was being sarcastic!
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01:46 AM on 11/18/2011
"We have a very open society in America. There is risk with our job."

If ya can't handle the heat, get outta the kitchen. As an ELECTED Representative of the people seems the risk of meeting with people is too great a task, you might actually have to do YOUR JOB!
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Trinity718
07:58 AM on 11/18/2011
OK crazy.....no one expects someone to shoot them in the face, if you think that is part of the job u r sadly mistaken.
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11:35 AM on 11/18/2011
wowzers- and I thought my definition of reality was twisted...
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smp276dp
free us from the craziness
09:14 AM on 11/18/2011
The do nothing congress with approval rating of 9%
They are too good at doing nothing. Why spoil that now.
12:37 AM on 11/18/2011
Boehner told "Fox News Sunday" that increased security : No way, Fox news are democratic news.

If Boehner leaves a square mustache, he will look exactly like Hitler.
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wssweeps
right is right
09:17 PM on 11/17/2011
Who cares what that has been writes. It's just a ploy to sell his book. He needs to drum up some interest.
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andidecker01
Dream on ...
11:28 PM on 11/17/2011
Yeah ... if it doesn't have pages to color... if it is about HISTORY ( yes, Gabby WILL be in History books) or if it does not promote hate, people like WSSWEEPS isn't intrested.
12:42 AM on 11/18/2011
History? Gabby? people like WSSWEEPS ??? does your brain conects to your belly button? wtf r u try to say?
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Feliciano Leon
11:47 PM on 11/17/2011
Hey, wssweper, are you talkng about Dick Cheney and his book? I agree with you. You know how these creeps are--- then they are always hiding in their caves, or shooting their friends in the face. You made your point. Good bye....
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wssweeps
right is right
04:44 PM on 11/18/2011
No not Cheney, thats so yesterday, try sticking with current events.
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Feliciano Leon
08:30 PM on 11/17/2011
Arizona and the entire US loves Gabby Gifford. I am not surprised about the callousness and coldness of this supposedly colleague of Gifford. That is how these "conservatives" are. His menial gesture at a time of great pain for Gifford and her family will haunt him for the rest of his life and, hopefully, destroy him politically. He does not deserve a bit of respect.

We will continue loving Gabby and praying for her full recovery. Thank you, Mark.
12:44 AM on 11/18/2011
Remember Republican'ts are for ALL people, especially the billionaires.