Associated Press
House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) appeared on Fox News Radio this afternoon, and apparently had a little trouble keeping his composure.
The Republican leader was asked about President Obama's recent comments that he believes in an economy the works "from the middle class out," not "from the top down." This apparently sent Boehner over the edge. [Update: here's the audio clip, from our pal James Carter.]
"Sometimes I have to catch my breath and slow down because the rhetoric in this campaign is just so over the top. And that's because the president's policies have failed. Listen -- 93% of Americans believe they're a part of the middle class. That's why you hear the president talk about the middle class every day, because he's talking to 93% of the American people. But the president has never created a job. He's never even had a real job for Christ's sake."
I can't help but love the contrast between the first sentence in that paragraph and the last.
For the record, Obama has been an attorney, a community organizer working with churches in communities hit by factory closings, a law professor, a state lawmaker, a federal lawmaker, and the president of the United States during a time of multiple crises. I'm curious, which of these jobs does Boehner consider fake?
I'm also struck by the notion that Boehner thinks Obama is too focused on the middle class -- a complaint Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) also levied last week. Since when did Republicans decide "talking about the middle class every day" is a bad thing?
Boehner really should catch his breath, slow down, and consider the fact that the rhetoric in this campaign is just so over the top. Then, once he's regained his composure, he should also realize it's unbecoming of a Speaker of the House to lose his cool and make attacks like "he's never even had a real job for Christ's sake."
Clarification: Our friends at The Ed Show gave the audio a closer listen and have a more accurate transcription than ABC's report.
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Boehner and his friends keep peddling the zombie ideology of Reaganism as if it's true, as if the government investment and regulation—such as of the banks—had nothing to do with jobs. How do you kill this nonsense? I don't think the Obama campaign is doing enough. And the ones who it will hurt most are the down ballot races. Here's my take on killing the zombie: http://therepublicon.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-to-kill-zombiethe-zombie-ideology.html?spref=tw
Sad pathetic man . He is just tired of taking it from both sides . Teabaggers and Democrats alike.
He don't get no respect!
He has to earn respect and he has not done that.
Like Rachael says "Boehner is bad at his job". It's Nancy Pelosi's fault, she made it look so easy even a Bonehead thought he could do it! Hahahaha
Besides "professional politician," what "real job" has Boner(less) ever had?
These people are just horrible, trying to get people into a fight and do nothing and be sure nothing gets done. P A T H E T I C! These people should get kicked out in Nov. and replaced with people that want to accomplish something besides causing mayhem and bring U.S. gov't. down.
Should, but I'm afraid they won't be.
so having the job of senator in the US congress isn't a real job? I could agree with that, but then Boehner has even less than a real job, being unable to get up to the big leagues. I guess once you start telling lies, you can't stop. Go Boner!
Maybe Ohio will send Boehner back to work in his family's bar. He wouldn't even have to sober up for it. *tears*
I'm lazy, and the pay here is terrible- (can't even cash in those Green Stars at the local saloon.)
So, will someone please enumerate (Shooter, that means 'list') all of the "real Jobs" Boner has held? N.B. I do not consider political hack a real job.
Shhhhhh.... don't wake the little troll baby. It had a rough day yesterday and is taking an extra long nap. If you wake it, it'll want it's diaper changed like it always does. Do you want to change its diaper?
You forgot to add "Father" to the list of real jobs. I'm of course using the Ann Romney definition of the word "job."
Good one!
the only "real job for Christ's sake" would be a practicing Christian minister, I presume, and accordingly the only significant political figure to qualify would be Rev. John Lewis. He's a Democrat. We win. I think its in the Bible somewhere.
Most excellent retort, sir!
How many times has the President taken the Lord's name in vain in a public venue? Great display of GOP Christian values there, too, Boehner. Keeping it classy, I see.
Taking the LORD'S name in vain??? Somehow, I don't think he will get called on it!!
I.O.T.T.T.L.N.I.V.I.Y.R!
Steve
what the h#ll does that mean?
I am not bad at word games. I see
It's OK to take the Lord's name in vain if you're Republican
Can we say "stressed out"? Boehner is so unsuited for his job.
Don't you think he looks tired?
Doctor, is that you? About time! ;)
Using Boehner's logic, he's never had a real job either.
The President works his job 24/7--365 days a year. House members are off one week for every two weeks "work". Maybe his idea of a job is dependent on the vacation one uses not the time they are on the job.
Boehner should also stop taking the Lord's name in vain, especially when he's doing it to emphasize a lie.
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Talk about a man in over his head! But then again, you could say that about all of the now faith-based Republican party. Reality is going to smack everybody around if these fools take full control.
Boehner is in trouble with his own party and it is highly unlikely he will be Speaker of the House if Republicans win in November. The Tea Party people don't want him and are unlikely to vote for him as Speaker. The Speaker will be Cantor if he wins or Paul Ryan. With that looming around the corner, Boehner should be worried about keeping his seat because everyone is blaming him for the dysfunction of Congress.
He must have been pretty upset, he sounded like the men in the castle in the movie "The Holy Grail" You poopy head ,it sounds familiar. Rmoney is the one who has been unemployed, he just forgot and said the wrong candidate. He's projecting.
Uh, John? If being president of the United States doesn't qualify as a real job, being Speaker of the House certainly doesn't, either. Any time you're ready to stop drawing your salary would be just fine.
And the problem with that is?????
Isn't this the same 93% that Romney can't be bothered to talk to?
Speaker Boehner is reaching new heights of idiocy. He just keeps piling the Class War BS higher & higher, burying REAL people's REAL lives, then glibly dismisses the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES as some kind of poser. Freud could fill ten lifetimes studying THIS batch of RWNJ wackos...
His irrational behavior only reflects the fact he knows that his party is going no where and voting to let the Bush Tax cuts not expire all the Republicans have done is add another reason why they will lose big time in November. Even the American eventually wake up out of their consumer driven daze.
It sounds like little Johnny needs an afternoon nap. Come Johnny take your blanky and your teddy bear and get some rest.
I'd douse the blanket in chloroform just to make sure he stays down.
That sort of means Boehner has never had a job, either. But who's counting.
We don't count President of the United States as a job???? What blister brain.
Clearly, to Boehner, being President of the U.S. only counts as a real job when the occupant is a 100% white Republican
Unfortunate that even with a video source, the transcription reads "for Christ's sake" when Mr.Boner said "for God sakes". In any case he's an idiot.
Every time I hear a Republican talk about "Obama's failed economic policies," I wonder which ones they're talking about. Do they mean TARP II, the successor to Bush's TARP I? Do they mean ACA? Do they mean all the tax reform Obama has proposed, which never gets a vote? What policies?
And while we're at it, what successful economic policy have they enacted? Meaningless posturing vote after meaningless vote? Phony debt ceiling crisis? Holding unemployment insurance hostage to Bush tax cuts extension? Where are the jobs bills? How many jobs have YOU "created?"