John Boehner Tells Donors Cruz is a “Jackass”
Walker, Huckabee defend Cruz
Apparently unaware of or unconcerned by the effect that establishment attacks have had on Trump’s surging popularity, John Boehner decided it would be a great idea to attack Ted Cruz at a Colorado fundraiser.
Speaker of the House John Boehner stunned audience members Wednesday evening at a Colorado fundraiser by referring to Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz as a “jackass,” two people in attendance tell The Daily Caller.
At a Steamboat Springs event for GOP Rep. Scott Tipton, the Ohio Republican quipped that he likes how Cruz’s presidential campaign keeps “that jackass” out of Washington, and from telling Boehner how to do his job.
According to the DC, this statement did not sit well with some who were in attendance:
That remark rubbed some attendees the wrong way.
“I don’t think it’s terribly speaker-like, and I think it kind of goes against everything that Reagan ever said about disparaging Republicans,” said Ed MacArthur, the president of Native Excavating, who attended the fundraiser.
“It’s becoming very disturbing to me that we can’t have good, polite conversation,” MacArthur said. “It all has to be at the throat.”
But MacArthur added: “I do believe he’s got the right to say it.”
Another Steamboat Springs resident confirmed Boehner’s remark: “I about fell on the floor.”
“To build coalitions to work together in Washington, D.C., you don’t start it out by calling your colleague a ‘jackass,’” she said.
Not only were those in attendance rubbed the wrong way, but presidential candidates have begun responding in support of Cruz.
Scott Walker called the remarks “just wrong.” The Washington Examiner reports:
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker came to the aid of Sen. Ted Cruz Friday after reports that Speaker of the House John Boehner called him a “jackass” during a fundraiser.
Appearing on “The Hugh Hewitt Show,” the Republican presidential hopeful called Boehner’s reported Wednesday night statement “just wrong.” Boehner made the comments at a Steamboat Springs event for GOP Rep. Scott Tipton, according to the Daily Caller.
“I think it’s just wrong,” Walker said. “Even though I don’t know Sen. Cruz as well as I know some of the governors, I’ve grown to know him and like him and admire him quite a bit out on the campaign trail.
“No, it doesn’t at all,” Walker said when asked if the party in-fighting helps. “Particularly at a time when so many Americans, and rightfully so, are frustrated that we can’t get things done in Washington. I’m frustrated.”
In addition to Governor Walker, Governor Huckabee also defended Ted Cruz, warning that Boehner’s remark was a “huge mistake.”
Listen to Huckabee on the Hugh Hewitt show:
Huckabee notes that Boehner may actually be trying to help Ted Cruz. He states that having Boehner or any of the Republican establishment criticize a candidate is something they’d “all be delighted to hear.”
Cruz may indeed have been delighted to hear Boehner’s comment, but he was also grateful for the show of support from Walker and Huckabee:
Thanks, @scottwalker Appreciate the kind words of support. http://t.co/fCRkb8NTUZ
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) August 28, 2015
Greatly appreciate the kind words, @GovMikeHuckabee! http://t.co/1P1XzyQpVh — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) August 29, 2015
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Comments
Good for Walker and Huckabee.
“Huckabee notes that Boehner may actually be trying to help Ted Cruz.” My thoughts exactly…….
So it’s as good as the upper-crust GOP endorsement………
Cruz backers have no problem using all sorts of insults for Boehner and McConnell. They appear to be like Trump and his supporters, love to dish it out but just can’t take it.
Maybe a Trump-Cruz ticket is destined for a third party run. They could call it the Sissy-boy Thin-skinned Brat Party.
– –
Cruz has done nothing in his Senate tenure beyond self-promotion and grandstanding. He works with no one except Mike Lee, doesn’t attend the Caucus meetings, seems to have no idea how to put together a legislative coalition.
Yet, he thinks he could be President? Ha!
So it’s fine with you that the Speaker of the House calls a fellow Republican a jackass? What was it that Reagan quoted about the 11th commandment – thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican?
But you are such an establishment suck-up, you probably hated Reagan, too.
So it’s alright with you if a Republican Senator (not for long if the American Chamber of Commerces follows through on unseating him next election) like Cruz calls his party’s majority leader a liar on the Senate floor?
Isn’t that being as asshole, according to Senate rules? So isn’t calling him a pain in the ass merely a mild rebuke?
The Chamber of Commerce is going to unseat Cruz next election?
Yeah, that really worked out for David Dewhurst, who had CofC backing, didn’t it?
To be fair, he is a liar. He’s been playing the game for so long he’s forgotten those “games” have very real and often disastrous impact upon the citizens of this country.
JJ, you are equivocating again. “Asshole” and “Jackass” are metaphors based on whatever. “Liar” is descriptive of behavior and is based on specific facts. Cruz complied with the senate rules. The difference is significant for clear thinking.
Calling someone a liar is not an insult. It is an accusation that can be proven. When it is based on known evidence and is made against those in power it can be the sign of political courage. Calling someone a jackass is always a childish insult that reflects poorly on the accuser.
Learn the difference.
I gawd, JJTrombone, what a hypocritical potty-mouth you are!
(Heh. That hunnymoon didn’t last long before you were just a POS lying troll again, huh? LOVE it when predictions come true…!!!)
Legislative politics is the ultimate collaborative process. It’s pretty hard to build future coalitions after hurling gratuitous schoolyard insults at a member of either party. To hurl such insults at a member of one’s own party is criminally stupid.
I would expect you to know that.
Boehner is in a special class of GOP establishment scum.
Even Ronald Reagan would approve an exception of his rule. In fact, he’d probably call Boehner for what he is: scum.
The fact that you, jayjerome, Boehner and McConnell dislike Cruz is reason enough to support him.
He has the right kind of enemies.
Cruz is known by his enemies and FOR his enemies.
Can’t think of a higher compliment for a reformer AND Conservative than being called names by the eGOP.
JOB ONE is to get RID OF BONER! And the deweeb in the Senate. Both are hard core RINO’s that would suck up to Obama for his last hooray. Then we may have a CHANCE to turn this country around. If another “democrat” fascist is elected, well, I don’t know.
Imagine that corrupt coward – that talentless, backstabbing scumbag – that sell-out, low-life piece of dirt — calling ANYBODY a jackass.
I’ll be mailing Cruz a check soon.
Ironic that John Boehner, the fake conservative who is the House leader, should be calling Ted Cruz a jackass.
Though I guess from where Boehner’s interests lie (assisting Barry Obama and his agenda) I can see where he’s coming, or slithering, from.
Boehner: The Orange Dean Martin.
lol That’s an insult to Orange and to Dean Martin!
An insult to orange, and all that rhymes with it. ;-{)}}
I about spit out my coffee when I read that remark! I believe, however, that Dean was far more self-aware than Boehner.
I am encouraged by this.
Senator Cruz’s name is often linked with those of the conservative younger members of the House who have been making life difficult for Boehner this term. I suspect that this recess Boehner has been getting an earful from his allies that that their constituents loudly support Congressmen Meadows’ motion to vacate the chair. I see this as a sign the pressure is getting to Boehner. He’s called people names before, but it has mostly been inside the caucus, not before party donors.
For Ted, that is like receiving the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. If Boehner doesn’t like him, that reflects well on Ted.
He and Walker are still my favorites, although Walker’s campaign doesn’t seem to be gaining any traction.
Despised by the despicable?
“lol That’s an insult to Orange and to Dean Martin!”
Absolutely. Linking the two suggests Dean would care…and he definitely wouldn’t cry. Dean was a menefreghista. You don’t ever insult The Dino.
The irony in this? Boehner just expanded Trump’s poll numbers!
Actually Boehner expanded Cruz’s at the expense of Trump’s. Watch.
If Boehner called me a jackass, I’d wear that like a badge of honor.
I’d even print up t-shirts.
Boehner was being kind. He didn’t want to accuse Cruz of being a cynic. So he just indicated Cruz was a fool. (this reates to legislative strategy)
Huck knows how the game is played. A few weeks ago, McConnell got called a liar by Cruz. Points! Now the non-story of Boehner calling him a jackass makes the news cycle twice. POINTS! Cruz increased his street cred and the GOPers in the House and Senate can and will vote for their leadership 6 months from now when everyone has forgotten the kerfuffle that put Cruz back on the news cycle.
I sent this email in identical form to numerous people:
The level of interpersonal hostility in the comment section is out of control. I don’t even like reading the comment section sometimes, and readers are complaining as well.
So I’m asking people to tone it down and to express viewpoints without name calling. Whatever has happened has happened, and I’m not interested in determining who started it.
From this point forward, comments will be deleted, with blocking accounts a last option.
Thanks.