Boehner Explains (Doesn't Apologize For) "Small Price" comment

Kos had a story on John Boehner's reprehensible view that the lives of troops were a "small price to pay" for success in Iraq and the fact that the media and Democrats were being very silent about Boehner's comments.

That's beginning to change.  Enough at least that Boehner's office has had to respond.

From Politico:

Update: We have a response from Kevin Smith, Boehner's communications director:

"Wolf asked about the money spent in Iraq, and that’s what Mr. Boehner was referring to when he said our troops’ efforts are critical for the safety and security of our country. To attempt to put a dollar figure on what we are doing in Iraq does a disservice to the work our troops are doing to make our children and theirs safer."

Smith added: "There isn’t a Member of Congress who appreciates the sacrifices of our troops more than Mr. Boehner. In fact, the reason he visited Iraq was to thank our troops for their service on behalf of our country and take a firsthand look at the progress on the ground that Democrats are so desperate to ignore. He had lunch with troops from Ohio today. Mr. Boehner is doing everything he can to ensure our troops come home after victory, not defeat, and General Petraeus has outlined a responsible strategy to do just that."

"Wolf asked about the money spent in Iraq"??? WTF.  Here (again) is the entire question:

BLITZER: "Mr. Leader, here is the question. How much longer will U.S. taxpayers have to shell out $2 billion a week or $3 billion a week as some now are suggesting the cost is going to endure, the loss and blood the Americans who are killed every month, how much longer do you think this commitment, this military commitment, is going to require?"

I would think that Kevin Smith is hoping that we don't read the question Boehner was asked, EXCEPT that (again, from Politico):

Smith asked that I post the Blitzer question and Boehner answer, so here they are:

BLITZER: "Mr. Leader, here is the question. How much longer will U.S. taxpayers have to shell out $2 billion a week or $3 billion a week as some now are suggesting the cost is going to endure, the loss and blood the Americans who are killed every month, how much longer do you think this commitment, this military commitment, is going to require?"

BOEHNER: "I think General Petraeus outlined it pretty clearly. We're making success, but we need to firm up those successes. We need to continue our effort here because, Wolf, long term the investment that we're making today will be a small price if we're able to stop al Qaeda here, if we're able to stabilize the Middle East. It's not only going to be a small price for the near future, but think about the future for our kids and their kids. This is a very important effort on the part of the United States to secure our national interests and to secure our security interests, especially when it comes to al Qaeda, who has been our number one enemy here in Iraq."

I'm betting there's another "clarification" coming out soon from Boehner's office.