The RNC will be having a cocktail party during the Tucson Memorial this evening hosted by none other than the Weeper of the House, John Boehner.
The Ohio Republican is holding a 7 p.m. cocktail reception Wednesday night for 168 RNC members, who are in the Washington area for an annual meeting. The event is sponsored by Boehner’s political action committee and will take place at Maryland’s National Harbor resort.
Lest anyone think he was being callous while sipping cosmopolitans, he will leave the party before Obama's remarks.
Boehner turned down a Tuesday invitation from Obama to fly to Tucson with him, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other lawmakers for the Wednesday night memorial service.
The Speaker's aide was quick to point out that the "last-minute invite was a courtesy" since Obama knew the Orange One would stay in DC all day - no doubt stroking his "precious" new gavel.
The decent thing would be to show concern about a member of the House that you lead and go to the ceremony. Instead he chose to score cheap political points.
And that makes him, IMO, Worst Person in the World for 1.12.11.
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UPDATE
A point of contrast with Boehner earlier in the day (pre-end of business):
"We are thankful, so thankful, that Gabby is still with us," Mr. Boehner added, his eyes welling anew. "We feel a litany of unwanted emotions that no resolution could possibly capture," he said, sniffling and blowing his nose with a handkerchief. "We know that we gather here without distinction of party, the needs of this institution have always risen above partisanship."
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And lest we forget, this man is an avid booze hound and partier to the point that he will interrupt House proceedings in the name of Margerita:
But Boehner enjoys his parties. In July of 2009, Boehner interrupted House proceedings so Republican lawmakers could attend his annual "Boehner Beach Party" fundraiser with corporate lobbyists. "It’s just lobbyists and lawmakers getting drunk" on "Boehner’s ‘famous’ margaritas," a "spy" told Fishbowl DC at the time.
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And what does a Boehner Beach Party cost?
To be a sponsor, you would have had to pony up $5,000; to be a mere host, $2,500; a VIP, $1,500; and a mere "individual," $250. The event was at the Cantina Marina.
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It's a hell of a gig if you can get it.