Spring Break
Boehner stumps for McCain in Oxford
Charlie Turner
Issue date: 10/31/08 Section: Front Page
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Boehner criticized Illinois senator and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama for his stance on domestic drilling, taxes and his number of "present" votes in the Illinois legislature-an attack originally leveled by Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) during the democratic primaries.
"Now, listen, I've voted 'present' two or three times in my entire 25-year political career, where there might have been a conflict of interest and I didn't feel like I should vote," Boehner said. "In Congress, we have a red button, a green button and a yellow button, alright. Green means 'yes,' red means 'no,' and yellow means you're a chicken shit. And the last thing we need in the White House, in the oval office, behind that big desk, is some chicken who wants to push this yellow button."
Obama voted "present" 129 times, 3 percent of the roughly 4,000 times he voted during his 8 years in the Illinois legislature, according to factcheck.org
Some said that Boehner's charges were legitimate and illustrated potential issues with an Obama presidency.
"Obama consistently took a pass on making tough decisions and that's just not something you can do as president," said Don Seymour, director of communications for The Freedom project, a right wing political action committee.
Though the audience primarily consisted of Miami University's chapter of College Republicans and other McCain supporters, the few self-identified independent voters present said the comments did not sit well with them.
Steve Murdoch, an Oxford resident, said after hearing Boehner's speech, he would likely be voting for Obama.
"I thought he spent more time slamming his (party's) opponent than promoting himself," Murdoch said. "Just from what I saw tonight-I try to keep an open mind-but I was fairly disappointed. I definitely think that McCain is more concerned with demoting his rival than he is with promoting himself."
Sophomore Laura Heins agreed with Murdoch.
"To hear this man call this man a chicken shit in front of an audience was absolutely appalling," Heins said. "I couldn't believe it, this man's supposed to be a respected politician who's supposed to have a positive public image … It angered me that he would go that low in order to promote his own candidate."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 489
Sarah Foster
posted 10/31/08 @ 8:35 AM EST
Charlie, this is a great story. I am sure it was shocking to hear Boehner say the words he did. I am surprised that he said those things. Very well-written and it held my interest through the story. (Continued…)
Boehner Hater
posted 10/31/08 @ 11:26 AM EST
I agree, good article Charlie, but MAN do I hate John Boehner! His recent television ad sums it up. He begins the add saying something to the extent of "democrats and their failed policies caused the economic crisis" and IMMEDIATELY follows that statement up with "Now's not the time to point fingers. (Continued…)
Person Who Was At The Rally
posted 10/31/08 @ 12:44 PM EST
Once again, we need to read the article. It said that Boehner called Obama a chicken, not a chickenshit. He called the idea of voting "present" chickenshit. (Continued…)
There too...
posted 10/31/08 @ 1:23 PM EST
I was there as well and to be quite honest that wasn't the moment that stood out most to me. To be honest I'm not hard core Republican or Democrat but it seemed more like a joke than anything. (Continued…)
C Lancop
posted 10/31/08 @ 3:27 PM EST
I agree with John Boehner. Being President means making those hard decisions, so why should Americans vote for someone who hasn't put their foot down and taken a strong stand against or for anything?
He went on and on about how it was unconstitutional to protect the lives of born alive babies, then when it came to vote, he pressed the "chicken" button. (Continued…)
Matthew Barnes
posted 10/31/08 @ 4:02 PM EST
"yellow means you're a chicken $&#^ "
Couldn't be more clear to me. Let's vote these Repubs out of office and start healing this country.
exDemocrat
posted 10/31/08 @ 10:20 PM EST
Those two students sound like complete morons. Oh wait. They're voting for the marxist/racist/anti-Semite candidate, so they are.
Why don't you two ask Barry why he has friends who are cop-killers?
And this newspaper is a complete disgrace. (Continued…)
nlq
posted 10/31/08 @ 11:23 PM EST
exDemocrat is a jackass.
Ben
posted 10/31/08 @ 11:28 PM EST
LOL... Respected politician... Now that's funny right there.
Kitty Smith
Kitty Smith
posted 10/31/08 @ 11:30 PM EST
exDemocrat is a fine example of what the problem is with Rep. Boehner as well. Marxist. Racist. Anti-Semitic. Nothing about issues, nothing about what Americans are having to deal with every single day. (Continued…)
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