The “clean break” myth crumbles
The right-wing spin is that John Boehner (R-OH), Tom DeLay’s replacement as Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, represents a “clean break” from DeLay. The reality is that Boehner is as tightly connected to K Street lobbyists as any member of Congress. He has handed out tobacco industry checks on the House floor and has been wined and dined by special interests at the world’s most luxurious resorts and golf courses.
Yes, 1995 was a long time ago…11 years, if my math holds up. John Boehner originally came into the House Republican leadership in 1994 when Newt Gingrich rode to the Speakership on the back of his “Contract On With America”. Things were going to be different, eh? Well, they certainly were; now Republicans could be open about their corruption and their venality…and it doesn’t get much more corrupt and venal than Boehner passing out checks from tobacco lobbyists on the House floo in 1995r. Yes, 1995 was a long time ago, but does anyone really believe that anything is different in 2006? Well, if you’re ignorant and naive enough to answer “yes” to that question, I have only two words to offer in response: JACK ABRAMOFF.
Yesterday, Boehner went on “Meet the Press” with GOP apologist Tim Russert and gave a reasonably good indication of how things will (or will not) change with him as House Majority Leader:
RUSSERT: If he [DeLay] is acquitted and chooses to come back to Washington and wants to become Majority Leader again, would you step aside?
BOEHNER: I’m sure we would talk about it.Tom and I have a different approach.
RUSSERT: You would talk about it?
BOEHNER: Tom and I have a different approaches. But I think what’s going on in Texas with tom DeLay is unfortunate, unfair, and highly partisan. And that’s why I gave him that money out of my PAC to help him pay for his tremendous legal fees.
RUSSERT: But if he’s acquitted and decided to come back to Washington and reclaim the Majority Leader position, you would consider it?
BOEHNER: He stepped down as Majority Leader. He vacated his seat. We had an election and I won. But I like Tom Delay. He’s been a great leader for our party. He’s a friend of mine. And we’re going to continue to work closely together.
RUSSERT: But you would step aside for him?
BOEHNER: I said we would talk about it.
Ah, can’t you just smell the winds of change? Or was that the stench of corruption?? My sense of smell isn’t what it used to be….
