Majority Leader John Boehner:
By on Feb 8th, 2006 at 8:37 am
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First, I’d like to know why the MSM didn’t catch onto the fact that John Boehner lives in a place owned by a lobbyist before this. It’s not like he moved in there the day he was elected Majority Leader, is it?
Second, I’d like to know why Republicans think a man who has so many ties to lobbyists will be viewed by the public as a reformer who will end the corruption these close ties have brought about.
Have they no grasp of reality?
February 8th, 2006 at 8:46 amIf the reason is not to influence, then whats the point of offering such amenities?
Because they like government?
That Boehner is poor?
He doesnt get a check from the GOVERMENT?
this is like a police officer renting an apartment from the mafia, doing work for them, and saying, we are just friends.
and IF boehner has been working for wage increase, where is it?
February 8th, 2006 at 9:03 amGee, could the thug Boner be dirty as well?
February 8th, 2006 at 9:08 am“Trust me”
-John Boner (Republiscum – from Ohio no less…)
February 8th, 2006 at 9:17 am“Surprise, surprise, surprise”, said Gomer.
February 8th, 2006 at 9:18 amWhy did no one uncover this BEFORE he was given Delay’s post? Another example of the media doing its usual fine job of reporting – NOT.
and IF boehner has been working for wage increase, where is it?
I would guess that if he is being influenced by a lobbyist that represents a food chain that is against rasising the minimum wage, that he isn’t looking to see wages increase.
February 8th, 2006 at 9:21 amAs Kos and Aravosis said, let’s see some cancelled rent checks. If he’s living there at fair market value and actually paying rent, there is no real conflict.
Which is not to say he isn’t dirty, of course, we already know that from his tabacco money vote buying spree.
February 8th, 2006 at 9:22 am#7 Anti-Warhol
That’s all well and good if he’s paying fair market value for the apartment, but it isn’t the point. Members of Congress have an obligation to avoid not only actual conflicts of interests (which they can’t seem to do), but even the appearance of a conflict of interest. Renting an apartment from a lobbyist who represents a firm affected by legislation that a member oversees can certainly look to someone else like there might be a conflict of interest, regardless of what the member claims to the contrary. That is why they have to avoid these situations. No matter what they say, it doesn’t look good. And these days especially, “Trust me” just doesn’t cut it any more with the American people.
February 8th, 2006 at 9:38 amThe rent supposedly paid is the low end for this area according to my source who has the address. Besides, he says Boner is living there rent free.
Someone should ask Boner for his rent receipts. Of course he will have them by this evening.
February 8th, 2006 at 10:25 amPaul in Mexico,
I don’t know what your source is, but Rachel Maddow on Air America Radio reported that he pays $1600 a month for the apartment.
February 8th, 2006 at 10:45 amThe reason why no-one in congress would be able to “make it better” is because the current system is a deeply entrenched, well-oiled machine which has been in place for decades. Any real changes may take just as long. Or require drastic measures.
February 8th, 2006 at 12:20 pmHow drastic, For Truth?
If it doesn’t involve any violence, then I can support it. Otherwise, you’d have to count me out.
February 8th, 2006 at 12:24 pmIf it’s a market rate or something close to it,then it is no issue as the WaPo article points out. It’s likely this is the least of the worries about lobbyist influence. Boehner seems to enjoy quite a few golf trips on private planes which while legal are much more opportunities for influence than renting an apartment.
February 8th, 2006 at 12:59 pmBetter to focus on real issues than trivial ones like this.
#1
I assume these are rhetorical questions? There are no good answers for why these lunatics do what they do.
February 8th, 2006 at 1:38 pmRenting an apartment from a lobbyist is corrupt? Lobbyist cannot own apartments and then rent it out to people?
It would be corrupt if he got the apartment for free or significantly less than fair market value.
There is nothing corrupt about this.
Way to nonsensically call it ‘an apartment of corruption’ think progress. You guys are just brilliant.
February 8th, 2006 at 4:54 pmGawd I still read “boner” whenever I see that guy’s name…
February 8th, 2006 at 5:36 pm#15 Actually, Lyle, there sure looks like there could be.
As I am sure you are well aware, all members of Congress have an obligation not only to avoid conflicts of interests, but to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.
The lobbyist who rented John Boehner that apartment apparently has clients who have a direct stake in legislation that Mr. Boehner has written or overseen in his duties on another committee.
To the average person, this gives the appearance of a conflict of interest, and it should have een avoided at all costs. There were other apartments he could have rented, and there are other people that the owners could have rented to.
Understand the problem now? It just doesn’t look good, and the only way people can trust that there isn’t something nefarious going on is to avoid the problem in the first place. This he failed to do.
February 8th, 2006 at 5:45 pmIs $160 FMV rent? Someone should look into this. Property listings don’t tell the whole tale.
From the Post: “[F]or $1,600 a month, he rents a two-bedroom basement apartment near the House office buildings on Capitol Hill owned by Milne…. Boehner’s monthly rent appears to be similar to other rentals of two-bedroom English basement apartments close to the House side of the Capitol in Southeast, based on a review of apartment listings….”
I paid $1950/mo. for an English-style 2BR basement apartment in Capital Hill “near the House office buildings” – A DECADE AGO!!!
And there was nothing special about it. I bet Boehner’s place has been on MTV Cribs…
February 8th, 2006 at 6:09 pmdamn skippy
February 12th, 2006 at 9:27 pmdamn skippy TP is buggin
February 12th, 2006 at 9:29 pm