Boehner's Secret Smoking Spot Smoked Out
Poor John Boehner.
The nicotine-addicted Republican Congressman from Ohio can't smoke in the House Speaker's Lobby anymore (thanks to Nancy Pelosi). Ditto that at the Republicans' Capitol Hill Club. And now, to add insult to injury, no longer can he light up at his secret favorite smoking joint: the National Democratic Club, where Boehner had been sneaking over to smoke with friends from the other side of the aisle.
Boehner, the House minority leader, had been spotted at the Democratic Club on several occasions since the D.C. government's smoking ban went into effect, puffing on his Barclay cigarettes and having a few drinks and laughs with Democratic members of Congress and lobbyists.
But it looks like the bipartisan smoke fest has flamed out. The Democratic Club had tried to get around the citywide indoor smoking ban, but it didn't quite qualify for the exemption for businesses that make at least 10 percent of their revenues from sales of tobacco.
Tom Jolly, a Democratic lobbyist and a member of the club, says he assumed the Democratic Club could get away with smoking... in this city.
"If you're a Republican, you assume the D.C. government is going to go after you hard. And if you're a Democrat, that they're just going to wink and look the other way," he said with a laugh.
Boy was he wrong. The club went smoke-free in deference to the law earlier this month. Club members say they'll miss Boehner, who became a big hit at the other party's club, as we reported last month.
"I hope it doesn't mean that the days of Republican 'club' hopping are over," says Melanie Morris, a spokeswoman for Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Fla.), who himself doesn't smoke but has enjoyed hanging out with the interloping Boehner. "Congressman Boyd won't miss the smoke, but I'm sure he'll miss the bipartisan company."
Jolly says he hopes that "just because Boehner can't smoke at the club any more doesn't discourage him from coming over to have a drink with us."
Boehner is being awfully tight-lipped about his secret smoking spot going smoke free. His spokesman had "no comment."
By Mary Ann Akers |
April 26, 2007; 3:25 PM ET
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Posted by: annefrank | April 26, 2007 04:18 PM
Anne, I really enjoyed your diary. We should go out for coffee sometime.
Posted by: Harry Bosch | April 26, 2007 04:29 PM
Indeed: What is Boehner smoking?
Seriously, this quote from a lobbyist got me angry: "If you're a Republican, you assume the D.C. government is going to go after you hard. And if you're a Democrat, that they're just going to wink and look the other way," he said with a laugh.
-- Does this bozo not realize that DC residents have contempt for ALL of our Congressional overlords, regardless of party. It's not like Democrats have been falling all over themselves to give us statehood or even Senate representation.
Posted by: freedc | April 26, 2007 04:45 PM
Keep the cigarettes out of the Democratic Club. We have few enough Members of Congress as it is. We don't need any of them breathing Boehner's second hand smoke and dying. You have to wonder why Boehner wants to breathe his own smoke!
The lobbyist who made the comment no doubt was a lobbyist for Republicans wearing the usual Republican chip on his shoulder.
Posted by: Southern Girl | April 26, 2007 04:52 PM
Indeed: What is Boehner smoking?
Posted by: freedc | April 26, 2007 04:45 PM
`
"And now, to add insult to injury, no longer can he light up his secret favorite smoking joint..."
`
Freedc, Asked and answered.
Posted by: | April 26, 2007 05:02 PM
Melanie Morris enjoyed pointing out how long the interloping Boehner was hanging with the boys.
Posted by: Bi Partisan | April 26, 2007 08:24 PM
Mr. Boehner (rhymes with saner, he used to say before becoming certifiably not so--)lost his mother to tobacco-related disease--(COPD--emphysema) He too will die 16 years early unless he stops. He needs help.
Posted by: Stephen L. Hansen,MD | April 27, 2007 12:37 AM
Mr. Boehner (rhymes with loner)
`
Melanie Morris enjoyed pointing out how long the interloping Boehner was hanging with the boys.
Posted by: Bi Partisan | April 26, 2007 08:24 PM
`
BiPartisan, Would you please refrain from such obvious double-entendres?
Posted by: Sonofabastard | April 27, 2007 12:56 AM
Barclay cogs and a FEW DRINKS
Gee I wish i could drink at work....WTF
Posted by: Lib4 | April 27, 2007 10:21 AM
Enlightening. Armed with the knowledge contained within this piece and the eye-opening SC Edward's barbershop piece everyone should be able to draw reasoned conclusions regarding many of our country's pressing issues. Kudos to the authors of both of these brilliant investigative efforts.
Posted by: slamkitty | April 27, 2007 11:33 AM
Even though I quit smoking, and hate the smell of tabaco, a law banning it is a bit over the top. No wonder DC laws are touted by the right wing as being some of the most over the top liberal in the nation.
Its not right, and its not freedom.
Posted by: | April 27, 2007 04:19 PM
Lord what bad news...contrary to what Southern Girl posted...we have too MANY congressmen. let them all off themselves...we'll be beter off, too.
Posted by: henry blair | April 27, 2007 06:52 PM
Ah...fags, a pint of bitter (pronounced: apinta bitah), and work...the good ol' days.
Posted by: keith a dewey | April 28, 2007 03:26 AM
"If you're a Republican, you assume the D.C. government is going to go after you hard. And if you're a Democrat, that they're just going to wink and look the other way," he said with a laugh.
Does'nt this show us that these wild cats; be they Republins or Democtrats have eaten our rusted legal system to the born marrow?
Jeez!
Posted by: Herbert-Jean Awuor | April 30, 2007 02:00 AM
I encourage the imbeciles from bot parties to continue their smoking in any private area. They will eventually pay for their idiocy both in and out of the halls of congress.
Posted by: Ranger Bob | May 2, 2007 11:06 AM
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Barclay is no longer being produced - so wonder what Boehner is smoking? Per his deceptive comments last night - justifying neverending war by linking 911 with Iraq - it must be non-filtered Koolaid.