John Boehner declines to watch first GOP debate

AP Photo/Evan Vucci

House Speaker John Boehner, the highest-ranking Republican in the country, decided not to watch Thursday night's debate among Republican presidential contenders, the first debate of the 2012 presidential cycle.

Hotsheet spotted Boehner at Morton's The Steakhouse on Connecticut Avenue in Washington enjoying a bottle of Cabernet - and a couple of cigarettes.

Speaking of the debate, Boehner told Hotsheet that he will "read about it tomorrow."

"There's more time for people to get in," he added.

Many of the most prominent names in the potential GOP 2012 presidential field, including Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Mike Huckabee, are not attending Thursday night's debate.

The five candidates who did attend were former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty - arguably the only top-tier candidate in attendance - former Godfather's Pizza Chief Executive Herman Cain, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

One of the topics at the debate was aid to Pakistan, which Boehner says should continue despite the discovery of bin Laden living in comfort in the country. Paul railed against such foreign aid during the debate.

Tim Pawlenty: Republicans need to "get off the sidelines" of presidential race

[Pierrobryant]

Saying he was forced to admit that he has never won an election is just silly. What did you want him to do, lie? The questioner on this continued to try to corner people with stupid, loaded and unimportant questions. Cain handled the question extremely well and the people that watched the entire debate and were interviewed after the debate and were extremely impressed with him.http://******/mT3xoX

[nearl451]

Sounds like a better choice for America. Steaks, drinks, smokes.

[34sender]

I would never vote for John Boehner, but I do think he has a right to drink wine and smoke a cigarette (pretty sure it is still legal in DC -- where Congress makes the rules, by the way) over a nice steak dinner.

So, he didn't watch the Fox News sponsored POTUS hopeful debate? He is correct that the potential candidate field will change. It may not get any better, so John may be dining out on a lot of nights in the coming months.

If things progress as they seem to be certain to do, for the GOP chances at the White House -- he may have moved to tequila and crack, hold the steak by November of 2010.

[widollar]

The "Weeper of the House" would rather keep his nose in a bottle of wine and smoke away the evening while chomping on a rare steak than watching a bunch of misfits pretend they can be Commander in Chief! What a sick joke!

[jimbom121]

I dn't blame him.

[user000049586849302948603]

Does Boner need to be breathalyzered when he reports for duty as the Speaker?

[user000049586849302948603]

by user000049586849302948603 May 6, 2011 1:59 AM EDT
"Hotsheet spotted Boehner at Morton's The Steakhouse on Connecticut Avenue in Washington enjoying a bottle of Cabernet - and a couple of cigarettes."

Boner: "I'd phrw... raphrw, Iza raffer be right herrrr, rife herrr, rife here drunkink... drunkinking... phrw! Ya wanna sississi,... Ya wanna sississi...cigarette?"

Reporter: "Can I, uh, quote you sir?"

Boner: "phrw, you dammumum regrite you cananan quofe, quofe, phphphph..."

by meboard May 6, 2011 8:41 AM EDT
I love it USER!!!! HAAA!!!

___________________________________________________________

Thanks.

[Riley333]

Where do all the GOP Fools come from???
http://www.e-forwards.com/2011/04/gop-where-do-all-the-fools-come-from/

[meboard]

If I was Bone-head, I'd be hanging out drunk at Morton's too (if I could affordf it...). It's his escape from the real world of GOP inaction and failure at every point!

[cktirumalai]

As a very influential GOP leader, John Boehner does not want to tip his hand too early about his preferred candidate. He is quite right that the field is still to settle. Some are not viable candidates but of those who are none has pulled ahead in a decisive manner. Of course even the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary are months away. Anything can happen to precipitate one candidate above all others.
Candadai Tirumalai

[meboard]

Morton's The Steakhouse...and you KNOW that WE THE PEOPLE paid the tab. Thanks John!

[pasha128]

This has to be one of the more obvious indicators on how much the Republicans believe they can win the Presidency in 2012. I wonder if Speaker Boehner believes he will be a one term Speaker, too?

[meboard]

I'm hoping he will be! I want Nancy back!