Geee Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Daily Caller:Democrats on Thursday criticized House Speaker John Boehner for missing a memorial service in Arizona for the victims of Saturday’s shooting in Tucson, as partisan sniping continued around the edges of the attack and its aftermath.Boehner declined an invitation from President Obama to fly on Air Force One to Arizona for the memorial. Aides said he did so to attend a prayer service in Washington in remembrance of the six killed and 14 wounded. Among the wounded was Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, an Arizona Democrat who survived a point blank shot to the head.The prayer service Boehner attended began at 1 p.m. on Wednesday and lasted for one hour. Obama departed Andrews Air Force base in Maryland a few minutes after 1 p.m.But Democrats said Boehner could have attended the rally in Tucson if he had wanted to.“Don’t you think they could have worked with the White House on timing to make sure he got on AF1?,” a senior congressional aide said. “Hell, as speaker, he could have taken a delegation to Arizona on military air.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickadee Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 This was one of my first questions when reading about the "rally." Where was Boehner? I think he should have attended. I am disappointed, and I would like to know more about his reasons for not attending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rheo Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 This was one of my first questions when reading about the "rally." Where was Boehner? I think he should have attended. I am disappointed, and I would like to know more about his reasons for not attending. Boehner Didn't Really Snub Obama, Tucson Memorial House Speaker John Boehner is catching a lot of flak for missing last night's memorial service in Tucson, reportedly declining an Air Force One invitation from President Obama in order to slap backs and clink glasses at an RNC event. But a look at the timeline of events paints Boehner in a better light. Yesterday, House members attended a vigil for victims of the Arizona shooting spree in an auditorium underneath the Capitol Visitor's Center. As they trickled in, a House aide provided reporters, including me, a glimpse of the program of events and list of speakers. There was one small revision to the schedule, though: Minority Whip Steny Hoyer would be reading Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's portion of scripture, because she was on her way to Tucson with the President. If Boehner had accepted the invitation, then the leaders of both parties would have missed the Wednesday vigil. Presented with this recollection of events, Boehner's spokesman Michael Steel confirmed, and defended his boss. "Boehner would not have been able to attend the bipartisan prayer service if he'd gone to Tucson," he said. "Yesterday, Rep. Giffords' colleagues on both sides of the aisle honored her and mourned those who were lost. The Speaker felt his place was here in the House, with them." Boehner's also getting knocked around a bit for what he decided to do while in DC: he attended an organizing event for Maria Cino, whom he's supporting to chair the RNC. But though that may have entailed chatting up donors over cocktails, Steel says he spoke for three minutes and left the event in time to watch Obama's speech on television. And while he plausibly could have made it out to Tucson separately in time for the service, Boehner would most likely have had to charter a military plane, to which he has access as Speaker. Republicans criticized former Speaker Pelosi for traveling via military air during her tenure, and Boehner has committed to commuting to his Ohio district on commercial flights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceRimmer Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 This was one of my first questions when reading about the "rally." Where was Boehner? I think he should have attended. I am disappointed, and I would like to know more about his reasons for not attending. If you remember the Wellstone Funerally, Version 1.0, Trent Lott did go, and was immediately booed by everyone in the crowd. I see no reason why Boehner should subject himself to the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pollyannaish Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 He would have been shuffled off to the back with the rest of the GOP anyway. Not only that, but he would have been slammed for going. I think he did just fine, personally. I think NOT attending would have been good for several of the people who did go. For instance Eric Holder, the man who is suing the state. What a circus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 If House Speaker John Boehner had attended, the Left would be targeting someone else who did NOT attend. You can't win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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