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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > May > 07 > Entry
Boehner dodging questions in capitol hallways
From Roll Call:
It’s the end of Boehner, the unplugged version. If you’re a member of the Fourth Estate, don’t bother asking House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) to answer questions in the Congressional hallways.
He won’t be much help.
“We’re not doing this anymore,” Boehner recently told a Roll Call reporter seeking to question him in the Speaker’s Lobby, where Members often give impromptu interviews.
The normally affable Boehner, who used to be good for at least a question or two in such environs, made it clear that he’s got a new policy against impromptu hallway interviews.
That puts him in the category of established press curmudgeons such as Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), who has a no-interview policy in the Speaker’s Lobby. And it makes Boehner even less accessible than Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who will often answer a question or two in the hallway on the way to and from her office.
Boehner spokesman Michael Steel told HOH that the leader isn’t going to be completely off-limits to press. Still, reporters’ access to the GOP leader will be more controlled.
“This will — hopefully — be a more organized and effective way to communicate: Reporters can either ask questions at Boehner’s frequent press conferences or contact the press office, which is always happy to help,” Steel said. “It should be better both for Boehner and for the press.”
And much less likely that Boehner’s message will wander off script.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: National issues
Comments
By VietVet
May 7, 2009 12:13 PM | Link to this
The arrogance of the politician is demonstrated here. Both parties have their arrogant members. Boehner needs to keep his mouth shut. When he opens it, he just complains without offering solutions.
By Paula Blankenship
May 7, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this
John Boehner had plenty of ideas when he was chairman of the Education and Workforce committee. Suddenly he is gob-smack. He’s an embarrassment.
By Savanation
May 7, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this
Got to hand it to Boehner. He has finally figured out that it is better to keep his mouth shut than to open it and say the usual stupid things. Everytime he opens his mouth, the nation more and more understands that he and the Republican party have no idea of what is going on in this country and no plans other than to give more tax breaks to their country club buddies.
By Maggie
May 8, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this
“Boehner dodging questions in the hallways.” Is the timing of this just a coincidence - given that the ever-popular and outspoken Rick Jones announced he may run against Boehner. He is mad that he is finally being challenged. Maybe this is his punishment for all of us. His “Don’t-you-dare-question-me” attitude is just another example of his misrepresenation and out-of-touch attitude toward the constituents in this district. What happened to transparency? Should we as tax payers have the right to question him, and shouldn’t he as our elected official be obligated to answer us! Think about it. Here’s one possible solution to this problem, I’d propose that Combs’ bill to ban teen tanning be expanded to also cover politicians. Those UV rays may be harmful to Boehner’s brain cells.