After Ney Admits To Crimes, Boehner Refuses To Call For His Resignation
After Ney Admits To Crimes, Boehner Refuses To Call For His Resignation
Yesterday on Fox News Sunday, House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) was asked whether Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH) should step down from Congress. Ney pled guilty last week to federal corruption charges, admitting to prosecutors that “he had accepted tens of thousands of dollars in illegal favors from Abramoff and from a Syrian businessman nicknamed ‘the Fat Man.’”
Apparently, in Boehner’s mind, this doesn’t necessarily disqualify you from serving in Congress. Boehner twice refused to answer whether Ney should step down, saying only that it was a decision Ney should make for himself. Watch it:
Boehner has reportedly been more candid with Ney in private, but Ney “hasn’t taken the hint.”
Full transcript:
WALLACE: On this same subject, this week Congressman Bob Ney, one of your Republican colleagues in the House, agreed to plead guilty to influence-peddling. Now, he has stepped down as chairman; he’s still a member of Congress.
This is a man who is basically admitting that he sold his vote. Should he spend another day in the House?
BOEHNER: Bob Ney clearly admitted to making some big mistakes. And he’s going to pay dearly for the mistakes that he’s admitted to.
But he’s also checked himself in for alcohol abuse. And right now my prayers are with him and his family. It’s a sad day for the Congress and a sad day for Bob Ney.
WALLACE: Should he resign from the House?
BOEHNER: That’s a decision that he and his family are going to have to make.
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If Bonner doesn’t demand Ney’s resignation, then it’s a travesty of justice and both Bonner & Ney should be asked to step down. If they don’t volunteer to step down, then they should be “ousted” immediately. It’s called “policing your own” and the GOP either doesn’t get it or they all have their own “skeletons” in their respective closets which will come rolling out soon.
The american people deserve better than these criminals and frauds!
September 18th, 2006 at 12:57 pmImpeach/Oust all the crooks, liars, and thieves!
This is where the voters in their (Ney and Boehner’s) districts should be made aware of their deeds (sins of ommission and commission) and voted out. If voters don’t call them to account, politicians will only continue their corrupt ways.
September 18th, 2006 at 1:01 pmWhy would you think that a Republican would ever do the right thing?
September 18th, 2006 at 1:02 pmI promise you 51 more days of fun.
http://patrickjfitzgerald.blogspot.com
September 18th, 2006 at 1:02 pmIf he has pleaded guilty, surely he should be stripped of his powers whether he willingly steps down or not?
September 18th, 2006 at 1:03 pm51 more days of fun and surprise ahead?
http://patrickjfitzgerald.blogspot.com
September 18th, 2006 at 1:03 pmWTF??? That a decision that should have ALREADY been made! He pleaded guilty, admitted to fraud, is going to jail, and this IGNORANT AZZ says that for him to decide?
An REPUBLICAN jackasses fall for this BS?
No wonder we are broke, dying, and losing the war!
September 18th, 2006 at 1:06 pmThe voters in their districts (Ney’s and Boehner’s) should simply vote them out of office. I would only expect Boehner to censure Ney and the party remove Ney from running for re-election. It’s time that some things be left to the voters instead of relying on government officials (isn’t this what the Bush administration is trying to teach us, less reliance on governement and more personal responsibility?).
September 18th, 2006 at 1:08 pmSure would make a good Democratic campaign ad…
September 18th, 2006 at 1:08 pmBoehner will legislate from a jail cell if he’s allowed. Chris Matthews told Boehner to his face that he was “a great man.” Matthews has placed that bar around ankle height.
September 18th, 2006 at 1:16 pmUmmm, I meant Ney would legislate from that jail cell.
September 18th, 2006 at 1:17 pmCarrion….
Let the man stay and fester like a boil. Weren’t the Repubs demanding the resignation from McKinney when she went off the deep end and attacked a capital guard?
September 18th, 2006 at 1:17 pmYes, and 51 more days of descending gas prices, and they will rocket upwards after the elections, particularly when it becomes clear big oil will lose their ownership of the legislature…………..
September 18th, 2006 at 1:29 pmIt has worked to the advantage of corporate fascism every election cycle since 2000, any reaon to believe it won’t work this time?
So, the House Majority Leader does not believe that a member of Congress who pleads guilty to corruption charges directly related to his job as a US Representative should resign from the House? At what point does he think such a member should resign? Does there have to be a body count involved? C’mon, this is our money we’re talking about that continues to pay Ney, and we have every moral right to demand that he sent packing right now.
September 18th, 2006 at 1:29 pmBob Ney, during the summer, sent out arrogant campaign literature proclaiming his innocence and blasting the allegations as political attacks. Then he suddenly withdrew from the race to “protect” his family from the “stress”. Now, he pleads guilty and enters alcohol treatment. I don’t buy the alcoholism – it’s a socially acceptable excuse so he can remain viable in politics somehow in the future.
September 18th, 2006 at 1:30 pmTypical republican’t response. Sure he stole and lied but he’s in rehab and my thoughts him and his family. What a bunch of lying crooks!!!!
September 18th, 2006 at 1:30 pmPhoto of the month – Webb should use this still from Meet the Press – shoes/boots really tell alot about someone – http://patrickjfitzgerald.blogspot.com/2006/09/photo-of-month.html#links
September 18th, 2006 at 1:31 pmThese guys take the term “do-nothing Congress” to the extreme.
September 18th, 2006 at 1:33 pmMr. Stiffy is a criminal if he supports and acts in concert with another criminal, that is called conspiracy, no? Aiding and abetting? no?
gee, wonder why we have so many criminals in our congress? want to thank all you gop’er’s for all the wonderful things you have done for us in this country. You are human scum with no more moral fiber than a grape, and I am most apologetic to the grape for demeaning it as such.
I do believe that anyone that votes republican is my enemy, for they are criminals too. Democrats have this one chance to make changes in the laws and get accountability back to our government. Only after that will I ever consider my government not completely corrupt. As of now, you are on notice. We believe you to be criminals, actively involved in high crimes and misdemeanors worthy of removal and trial.
my humble suggestion is you fix it, really fix it, not with bullshit phrases that suggest, but do not climax
September 18th, 2006 at 1:35 pm12. Weren’t the Repubs demanding the resignation from McKinney when she went off the deep end and attacked a capital guard?
Comment by hellinabucket — September 18, 2006 @ 1:17 pm
Hello? She didn’t “attack” a guard, she over-reacted and popped him one when he grabbed her from behind without warning. Facts…
September 18th, 2006 at 1:37 pmHow in the heck did Boehner get elected with a name like that?? I know that it’s not pronounced that way…but still! I’d love to see a show host call him Boner just once for grins.
September 18th, 2006 at 1:38 pmPop quiz – will Ken Blackwell scrub Bob Ney from the OH voting roll?
September 18th, 2006 at 1:39 pm“Thank you Prisoner Ney, all but for the grace of god that could have been me” – the sentiments of all Republican senators
September 18th, 2006 at 1:39 pmOnly people who are found to be gay are forced to resign by the Republicans.
To them…being gay is terrible but corruption isn’t.
September 18th, 2006 at 1:41 pmYou can’t actually call for Ney to step down because he’ll turn around and start spewing all the crimes you’ve commited.
September 18th, 2006 at 1:44 pmNey should stay!
WAY TO SHOW US THOSE GOP MORALS!!
YAY NEY!
September 18th, 2006 at 1:47 pmWAY NEY!
SAY NEY!
He’s going to fight it tough to vote on bills from prison.
September 18th, 2006 at 1:51 pmHey, if these guys, GOP, are all out collecting free lunches and $$$ and George is always on vacation, and Dick is hunkered down in some bunker,and all this corruption, who is making us safe?
I mean, the GOP is going to make us safe when they are nowhere to be found, are corrupt, on vacation, golfing, creating porkbarrel legislation, and basically kissing lobbyist butt 24/7??
September 18th, 2006 at 1:53 pmThat’s because Boehner (and certainly Jerry Lewis of CA) will be facing the same dilema…
…sooner or later…
September 18th, 2006 at 1:55 pmB-O-N-E-R must resign from the House himself , because he is as corrupt as Ney!
September 18th, 2006 at 1:59 pmThat’s because sooner or later…
Boehner (like Jerry Lewis fro CA) will be facing the same dilema…
September 18th, 2006 at 2:00 pmIndictments and convictions mean nothing to Republicans. If they had any respect for our justice system, for the American people, for America, they would step down. Even Nixon had the decency to resign. Why do Republicans hate America?
September 18th, 2006 at 2:03 pmGOP: No Blow Job, No Crime!
Acceptable GOP behavior: bribery, lying, war crimes, killing innocents, illegal warfare, kick backs, torture, false imprisonment, extreme cronyism, absolute incompentence, hanging with a male prostitute pretending to be a journalist, kissing and holding hands with Saudi kings, shooting people in the face while drunk, wasting billions on contractor abuse in Iraq, wasting billions on contractor abuse for Katrina, and on and on. Basically, it’s okay if they do it.
September 18th, 2006 at 2:03 pmIntegrity-tastic!
September 18th, 2006 at 2:06 pmHey at least the GOP is consistent with the treatment of their “Special” members.
September 18th, 2006 at 2:06 pmhttp://thinkprogress.org/2006/01/09/delay-duke-appropriations/
Atleast Nay gave us “freedom fries”and “freedom toast” before being ousted.
September 18th, 2006 at 2:14 pmI miss those things.
surely Bob Ney should be thrown out of congress for accepting bribes ??? its a criminal act ????
September 18th, 2006 at 2:26 pmGOP and MSM consider such criminal actors as Ney simply as “Power Players”! (Only if they are Republicans!)
September 18th, 2006 at 2:29 pm(test post)
September 18th, 2006 at 2:45 pmoh, yeah, is this guy Boehner sinister or what?
DeLay was simply a lucky buffoon to get as far as he did, just like lil’ georgie….
……….this guy is creeeepy…………
The culture of corruption engineered, practicec by and condoned by the republican party would diminish significantly if people like Ney would serve their time with the general population of our prisons.
September 18th, 2006 at 2:54 pm#37 Tobey,
This may shock you about our political system (though I know you understand it better than most of our own citizens), but our Constitution sets three, and only three, requirements to be a US Representative: that you be at least 25 years old; that you be an inhabitant of the state you will represent in Congress (note that it says “inhabitant” not “resident”); and you have to have been a citizen of the US for seven years. Constitutionally speaking, it doesn’t matter if you have a criminal record longer than both your arms, you cannot be kicked out of Congress just for that. It is the responsibility of the other Members of Congress to deal with Ney’s behavior and punish him by expelling him. The Democratics in the House would need some Republican support; they can’t do it themselves. The Republicans must be the ones who vote to expel Bob Ney. That they refuse to do it shows just how little respect they have for the rule of law and the rules of the House of Representatives. I mean, we’re talking about a guy whose criminal behavior directly involved his work as a US Representative. Why they think he should make up his own mind about leaving is beyond me.
There are times when I agree with Kent Brockman of The Simpsons, “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Democracy just doesn’t work.”
September 18th, 2006 at 3:18 pmWhoa, what does Ney have on Boehner? Me thinks there has to be some big time skeletons in Boehner’s closet!
Both from Ohio. Both in the pocket of the K Street lobbying crowd. Boehner has gone to the mattresses for lobbyists in the past. Boehner has his own share of ethical dust ups (that the House Ethics Committee chose to ignore or paper over).
DeLay was forced to resign for indictments in the Texas state court system, but Ney is not being forced out for pleading guilty to federal felonies? Come on, folks. I repeat, what dirt does Ney have on Boehner? Who is going to start digging into Boehner’s doings?
September 18th, 2006 at 3:25 pmWhatever happened to that “personal responsibility” the right was always bleating about? Wasn’t that their main gripe about Clinton?
September 18th, 2006 at 3:31 pm42. De Lay was not forced to resign his seat, he chose to do that. He was forced to step down as Majority Leader a year ago but he retained his seat in the house after he was indicted. Granted, his choice to resign a few months ago was based on his legal troubles compounded by the realization that he might not win the election in November. I’m not defending DeLay. I’m glad he’s gone. i just wanted to clarify the facts.
It boggles the mind that Ney isn’t forced to resign.
September 18th, 2006 at 3:53 pmFaux said Boehner :)
September 18th, 2006 at 4:13 pmNey should fight to remain with the biggest group of failure enabling political whores in American history. While, I certainly believe that Bush should be impeached, the Republican congress are at least eqaully responsible. They have prevented oversight and accountability. They have supported and conspired to coverup failure after failure after failure. If Republicans are stupid enough to allow an admited felon back into their club, they are making it clear to Americans exactly what their values are. I hope Boehner hosts a welcome back Bob party!
September 18th, 2006 at 4:44 pmRepublicans have a long history of providing exemptions of accountability for other republicans. McCain has said several times that he believes Rumsfeld should resign, but that the president should have the team he wants. This is an abdication of Congress’ responsibility, most likely so that McCain can have it both ways. If presidents were meant to have the teams they wanted regardless of the qualifications and competence of the people on that team, the Senate would not have the duty to “advise and consent” and Congress would not have the power to impeach.
September 18th, 2006 at 5:22 pmThey share the same taint.
September 18th, 2006 at 6:25 pmDe Lay was not forced to resign his seat, he chose to do that. He was forced to step down as Majority Leader a year ago but he retained his seat in the house after he was indicted.
Comment by mroom
Let’s also remember that he was forced to step down by rules put in place by the Republicans when they took over the House in 1995 because of their displeasure with how Democrats ran things. Then, when it became apparent that DeLay’s illegal activities were catching up to him and that he might be indicted (thus triggering the forced resignation as Majority Leader), they tried unsuccessfully to change that rule so he could stay in his position. I guess they didn’t mean it after all.
September 18th, 2006 at 6:35 pmNey pled guilty last week to federal corruption charges, admitting to prosecutors that “he had accepted tens of thousands of dollars in illegal favors from Abramoff and from a Syrian businessman nicknamed ‘the Fat Man.’â€
Oh they were favors not bribes, not paying a whore for services rendered, just favors
September 18th, 2006 at 6:38 pmI suspect Boehner has agreed to allow him to keep his pension by running out his term… Of course, that alone should be reason enough to dump Boehner as well.
September 18th, 2006 at 9:04 pmWe know that the Pubbies are led by the little head.
September 18th, 2006 at 9:47 pmRather ironic that it was DeLay resigning from Congress that allowed ‘Boner’ to take over as House Majority Leader. But ‘Boner’ thinks a covicted felon should get to decide if he stays in Congress or not. Yep, that’s the Republican way. DeLay should ask for his job back. Sheesh.
September 19th, 2006 at 2:36 amif an ordinary citizen committed a comparable crime, how long do you think it’d take for that person to be fired by their employer?
September 19th, 2006 at 7:02 amUnfortunately the only problem the GOP can find with Ney, is getting caught.
September 19th, 2006 at 8:05 amWe need real reform in Washington, not some feel good bill.
20. 12. Weren’t the Repubs demanding the resignation from McKinney when she went off the deep end and attacked a capital guard?
Comment by hellinabucket — September 18, 2006 @ 1:17 pm
Hello? She didn’t “attack†a guard, she over-reacted and popped him one when he grabbed her from behind without warning. Facts…
Representative McKinney was doing a fine job holding meetings to determine the truth about “9-11″. As a result, it is not unreasonable to suspect she may have been set up. It is a shame that she was such an easy target. McKinney was working diligently for our country and not just for herself and/or her party. She was definitely a better Representative than Ney. Would that McKinney were still there and Ney gone!
September 19th, 2006 at 8:54 amFurther proof (as if we need any more) that we are already sinking into police state status. Since when is it ok for a corrupt, guilty congressman to stay in power??? Since NOW, that’s when!!
September 19th, 2006 at 1:10 pmSay Hey Ney !!!
Just because a guy is a drunk and a criminal doesn’t mean he can’t STILL be do his party/Herr Shrub a ’solid’ and cast a few more votes before adjournment…
good old Re-pugnant-can ‘values’
September 19th, 2006 at 1:57 pm[...] Wednesday, 20 September 2006 Ney It seems that the GOP leadership expected Ney to resign immediately, but he hasn’t taken them up on the hint. Sunday on Fox News (I’m sure you all caught it) John Boehner balked at calling for him to resign, I would think that he thought Ney was going to do so anyway, so he could get away with punting on the issue. Now its wednesday and Ney hasn’t stepped up (down) and the GOP leadership can’t punt anymore. It would be great if he sticks in and the Dems get to bring his expulsion to the floor. Unlikely though. Anyway Boehner has a lot of balls saying Ney has to decide for him self if he should resign. The video is here: http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/18/boehner-ney/ – Brendan 09/20/2006 14:51:04 (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00) Comments [0] [...]
September 20th, 2006 at 2:46 pm[...] As the Conservative Chorus of Hypocrites try to milk this little incident for all its worth we have House Majority Leader John Boehner blaming the military for losing in Iraq. he doesn’t sound like he’s mangling a joke either. Boehner himself is a walking joke. After Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH) pled guilty to federal corruption charges, Boehner (R-OH) still refused to ask for his immediate resignation. For Boehner as always throughout his Congressional career political power and party alliance has always trumped ethics. [...]
November 3rd, 2006 at 2:09 am