Time for another Gooberhead Award, presented periodically to people in the news who have their tongues running 100-miles per hour… but forgot to put their brains in gear.
Today’s Goober is John Boehner, the Republican leader of the U.S. House. He’s been on a political rampage, demanding that Congress pass a bill allowing oil corporations to drill in America’s public parks and protected coastal waters.
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But he hasn’t gotten his way, and when Congress adjourned for an August recess, Boehner called for his Party’s members to stay on the House floor in protest. “We must continue to make a stand,” he proclaimed, insisting that Republicans would remain on the floor “every day” during the vacation period, making speeches and demanding action from the Democratic leaders of the House. “Every day,” Boehner reiterated for emphasis.
It turns out, though, that “every day” did not include the Gooberhead himself. After telling colleagues that “we” must make a stand, he promptly flew off for an extended golfing vacation. Known as “Suntan Johnny” because of the year-around brown glow he has as a result of frequent golf outings with lobbyists, Boehner was even posting his August golf scores online while his fellow members were back in Washington.
Asked about the contradiction (if not outright hypocrisy) of asking others to stand in protest while the leader went golfing, a spokesman explained that one of Boehner’s golf events was not just a casual round – it was a fundraiser for his political action committee. “Canceling it,” he said in horror, “would have cost tens of thousands of dollars.”
So there you have it. Standing on principle (even a screwy one) is essential… unless a fundraiser calls you away. In that case, the principal of capital trumps any principled stand taking place at the capitol. It’s a matter of what’s important to you.
“Boehner: GOP Will Be Here ‘every Day Until She Brings Us Back’,” www.cbsnews.com, August 8, 2008.
“Boehner Plays Golf, While GOP Continues Protest,” www.allheadlinenews.com, August 7, 2008.
“Boehner and the Bunker Mentality,” www.washingtonpost.com, August 7, 2008.
“A Stunt-Driven Agenda,” www.thinkprogress.org, August 5, 2008.
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