The 'Beat Boehner' Billboard is live and it's causing quite a stir
I want to thank everyone for donating to our latest Blue America cause, because the Beat Boehner Billboard is rocking.
CINCINNATI -- A billboard along Interstate 75 is getting a lot of attention for attacking House Minority Leader John Boehner.The billboard asks the question, "When was the last time you golfed 119 times in one year?" while showing a picture of Boehner golfing. The billboard also includes the address of a website, BeatBoehner.com, which boasts a picture of his opponent, Democrat Justin Coussoule.
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Coussoule himself found the billboard to his benefit. "My first thought was, that's a big billboard, you can't miss it. But then second, it gets the discussion going and it's good for our campaign," he said.Boehner's campaign denied the allegation on the billboard.Campaign spokesman Cory Fritz issued a statement saying, “Congressman Boehner held seven golf events last year, not 119. He did hold 119 events in the District and across the country to benefit conservative candidates, including receptions, meet-and-greets, rallies, speaking engagements, breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, but only seven were golf outings. Any assertion to the contrary is false.”
The media is all over it back at home for Boehner and he's being forced to answer how many times he actually golfs. We never said that he held 119 golf events. Notice how they change the subject? He's spent more money playing golf than most American households make in a year.
The billboard was paid for by donations to the Blue America political action committee, said Howie Klein, the PAC's founder and treasurer. Klein said the ad was targeted toward people who live in Boehner's district.
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Klein described Blue America as a progressive political action committee that supports candidates who are for the American family. He said Blue America opposes candidates who are "whores and prostitutes" for corporations, a category in which he placed Boehner. Klein said Blue America planned more billboards and television ads in the coming months.Boehner's campaign remained undeterred. In a statement, his office said, "Being Minority Leader means John Boehner has a bigger platform to push for the priorities and values of the people of the Eighth District of Ohio. If that makes him a bigger target for folks outside of Ohio who disagree with those priorities, so be it. It goes with the territory."
Despite all of the problems facing Ohio families, according to Golf Digest Magazine, Congressman Boehner finds time to play about 100 rounds of golf a year – most with special interest lobbyists. He says he pays special attention to the lobbyists he meets on the golf course, bragging “...if someone I’ve gotten to know on the golf course comes into my office with a good argument, I tend to want to listen,”— Golf Digest, October 2005
By all public estimations, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) is a pretty good golfer.
He should be, given the $82,998 his political action committee has spent on golf outings so far this year, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
The golf events this year sponsored by Boehner’s Freedom Project political action committee have stretched from April until October, from Florida to Ohio. And the minority leader doesn’t hold his events at worn-out municipal courses. The most recent outing was a $20,921.34 event at the plush Robert Trent Jones track in Gainesville, Va., an invitation-only private club that was once also home to the Professional Golfers Association's President’s Cup.
Do you need more evidence? Here you go:
Boehner is a seven-handicapper and was ranked 36th in Golf Digest's Top 200 Washington political golf rankings. (No, I didn't know such a thing existed either.)
Along with Tiger and Tony Romo, Boehner just loves his golf.
But few take their golf as serious as Boehner, who carries a 7.5 handicap. And, his favorite method of fundraising is taking it to the links -- and he's pretty good at it.
We want to keep running billboards and maybe hit some new candidates so if you can, please donate to Blue America Beat Boehner Billboard page.
Great ad for BlueAmerica!
Democracy is too important to be entrusted to politicians.
Rise Up!
Protest!
Though they might want to check their facts before spending $5k to ask a leading question.
than Reid spent coking up chimpanzees, but at least Beohener's $ was not from the taxpayers. Directly.
"I mean Romney is the most conservative on illegal immigration and I don't think Ronald Reagan could get elected in California today."
Ann "Clipped" Coulter
If you'd bothered to check the facts, instead of getting your information solely from Glenn Beck and Fox News, you'd know that money was to fund serious research into the chemisty of addiction.
Some people actually believe it's important to find a way to help people get off drugs.
NO money spent from any congressman is DIRECTLY spent from taxpayers money. It is ALL indirectly spent. When was the last time you got a specific bill for moneys spent?
likely spent more on those 'other addicting drugs' - alcohol and tobacco. I'm thinking maybe his lungs or liver will give out soon....
"Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of Stupidity" - Frank Leahy
I have never seen him on TV when he looked and sounded anything but drunk or hung-over. I believe that comment that he spends most of his time on The Hill in DC bars.
Tough job, Boner.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
Reid spent money on science whe he spent that money on drug
studies.
Boaner is flat out ripping us off, regardless of which pocket he is picking to do us his dis-services.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
This is a perfect message.
This is why we have an internet.
All we have to do it tell the truth and let the people know exactly how our politician/aristocrats spend their time and our money.
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
Had the internet. Had.
the elites know a threat when they see it.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
You're still on the internet, aren't you?
coming in a region still in shock and mourning over the loss of Big Butter Jesus? Why do liberals hate America?
"I mean Romney is the most conservative on illegal immigration and I don't think Ronald Reagan could get elected in California today."
Ann "Clipped" Coulter
is full of WKRP.
And he thinks frozen turkeys can fly!
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
Spot The Boehner Billboard:
http://www.artimis.org/cameraselect.php
Winners will receive instead of give. Void where invalid.
The billboard contains the question, "When was the last time you golfed 119 times in one year?" while showing a picture of Boehner golfing -- then, when Boehner's camp argues that Boehner held 7 golf events, not 119, the author states, "We never said that he held 119 golf events," and chides Boehner's camp for changing the subject? And then the author launches into how much Boehner SPENT playing golf, rather than how many times he golfed, after just chiding Boehner's camp for changing the subject? C'mon. . . .
Personally, I think Boehner represents a lot of what's wrong in D.C. and I'd like to see him replaced. But the clear implication from the billboard is that Boehner's been out golfing 119 times during the year, a suggestion that neither the author nor the group responsible for the billboard appear able to substantiate. And I'm being charitable by using the word "suggestion." If total events was indeed the metric used, I suspect most House members would be involved in a similar number of events. The system demands that members raise money.
Politics involves sharp elbows, but do we really need to manufacture "facts?" Do we need to descend to their level? Frankly, in my opinion, the actual circumstances concerning how the GOP and so-called conservative ideology have ruined the country over the last 30 years are horrifying enough.
Waiting for the inevitable string of comments piling on for me wanting people to be honest . . . ready in 5-4-3-2-1. . . .
I was wondering about this myself. I can't help but think I am missing something, because to say "We never said that he held 119 golf events" is just false, and in my year or so of lurking here, I've never seen the site's authors act like revisionist Republicans.
C&L actually contains a lot of useful news information. While there's significant editorial, the focus, in my opinion, is highlighting news events and stories that are not covered or inadequately covered by the usual suspects.
I agree that I would hate to see this site become a gateway for the kind of revisionism evident at many right-wing sites.
even though I loathe Boehner and am embarrased he represents my beloved state, this billboard and article are indistinguishable from right-wing smear tactics and should be removed. Aren't there enough real reasons to attack the man than this silly 10th grade stuff?
He Golfed 119 times. Not HELD 119 events. There is a HUGE difference.
So you're saying he played golf 119 times which happens to be the same number of meet and greet/fundraising events he held (of which 7 involved golf)?
It's not in the article.
Do I believe Boner's spokesperson that he golfed 7 times last year? Or should I believe Golf Digest:
Despite all of the problems facing Ohio families, according to Golf Digest Magazine, Congressman Boehner finds time to play about 100 rounds of golf a year – most with special interest lobbyists. He says he pays special attention to the lobbyists he meets on the golf course, bragging “...if someone I’ve gotten to know on the golf course comes into my office with a good argument, I tend to want to listen,”— Golf Digest, October 2005
'Around 100 a year' is not 119, nor does it really address the point that the article author claims to have not said he played golf 119 times despite the billboard saying precisely that.
Again, do I believe a Boner's underling, who is trying to get me to believe that a 7.5 handicapper golfed 7 times in a year, or do I believe Golf Digest, from 2005, when this was not a flap, who state that he golfed more than 100 rounds.
You do see that there is no equivalence here, right? That whether it's 100 or 119, the number is much, much higher than 7 and WAY more than the typical vote, right?
That doesn't answer anything I said. Of course he golfs a lot. That is no excuse to make up figures like he golfed 119 times and THEN say "we never said he golfed 119 times" when discussing a billboard that says he golfed 119 times. This is the fourth time I've asked about this and I don't understand why it is so hard to get a straight answer.
. . . but maybe I am. That language "Despite all of the problems. . ." obviously isn't from Golf Digest, because it references Golf Digest as the source. Do you know where the information concerning 100 rounds actually came from, i.e., who told Golf Digest in the Golf Digest article that Boehner golfed 100 rounds in 2005? Or is this cut and pasted from another article?
Just curious.
Very well said. Misleading billboards are the last thing a movement needs if it wants to have the moral high-ground.
“Congressman Boehner held seven golf events last year, not 119."
But that doesn't address the question. If not 119 how many times did he go golfing last year? (not how many events he held) I bet it is more than 119. Why else would Cory Fritz use the weasle language of a non-answer?
:)
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
Think about it - if we're talking one round per day, that's golfing every three days.
I suspect it's in the 50's or 60's. Maybe I'm wrong, but 119 seems a little far-fetched.
"Boehner headlined more than 271 events for candidates during the 2008"
out of 365 days - FWIW
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
Hell, my mom with a bad shoulder used to golf two rounds per day. Now, she IS retired, but I think that's sort of the point. Boner probably DOES golf every couple of days. It's not that out of the ordinary for that crowd. Really.
I've golfed, and I even find the first few holes ok, depending on where I'm at and who I'm with. But I find 18 holes tiring/boring, and once every 6 months is more than enough for me.
and quite possibly The Boner.
me-oww!
. . . it's just tiring getting in and out of the cart to chase balls I'll never see again. ;-)
in the game. You know, math puts me right to sleep, but I know a few people who will stay up all night just to figure crazy math shit out. Conversely, I'm nearly OCD when it comes to NYT crossword and acrostic puzzles, while my sister in law couldn't care less about that and lasts about 5 minutes or less trying to figure it out.
me-oww!
Some people can't get enough of it. Back when I was good, twice a week was my absolute limit. But as I've noted, for some people, everyday and more than once per day is living the dream. There's a reason there are so many golfing communities and country clubs.
To be clear, I have no problem with people enjoying their favorite past times. But not on my dime, and not to the exclusion of their responsibilities.
and that was one round too much. I believe golf is the epitome of the book title that came out a few years ago:
A Good Walk Spoiled
He probably spent half that time in a tanning bed.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
So Boehner bar hops, and golfs constantly, and shows up for congressional events. How can he squeeze all of that in a day, even if he's working minimally?
You've just described a heckuvalot of beltway insiders. For them, this is work; this is honest-to-god what they do during their workday. Again, this is not extraordinary for this crowd. This is what they do, it's just rarely pointed out so graphically.
bozos seldom appear in the House Chambers is all too painfully evident if you watched the video of Alan Grayson reaming them out over blocking the Unemployment Insurance Extension bill.....there were maybe half a dozen people in the chamber at that time, and IT WAS THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON OF THE MONDAY THEY CAME BACK FROM FOURTH OF JULY WEEK.
Say, isn't Fourth of July just one day? See what I mean:?
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
they also have 'people' who take care of the mundane. You think Boner cooks or cleans or mows the lawn or keeps track of his non-golf calendar? He has also said he takes meetings on the course. Sorry, but that counts as playing golf, not working in my book.
me-oww!
He said he held 7 golf events, and 119 events in total. My guess is that he just looked at Boehner's planner.
I mean, let's be serious for a second -- if you asked me how many Sundays I watched football last year, I couldn't tell you. But I could tell you I watched it every week during the playoffs, and the first weekend, too.
Exactly how many times DID Boehner go golfing in one year ???
(as long as people are asking the question the point has been made)
hehe!
Democracy is too important to be entrusted to politicians.
Rise Up!
Protest!
Including his office putting green - 1,356,243 times?
I'm just guessin'
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
despite numbers irregularities, the main thrust of the argument is
Gentlemens Club Congressman - Working hard for you, not.
Country Club Republican
I mean he is a avid golfer and the message has to sting. But I'm certain they'd have done the same or worse to his opponent without batting an eye.
Between his orange glow and his golf, his bar hopping and ducking out of the office early, he might be in trouble.
Of course, there are some republicans who would be more likely to vote for him because of his golfing. Lord knows the GOPhers don't want anything working in the government - that goes against their basic ideology.
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
GOP base idolizes the Rich.
Especially the Rich who were cutthroat and devious, did illegal things and got away with it, ripped oil and minerals from the earth, starved 100s of millions of people while getting Rich manipulating commodities futures, kept the "minorities" down, etc.
GOP base wants to be just like them.
It's their "American Dream."
Democracy is too important to be entrusted to politicians.
Rise Up!
Protest!
that I donated to pick a billboard that might actually be a lie.
I don't. Or CheneyBushCo cares they lied us into two soul-sucking wars? Who's to say this is a lie? Maybe it's a low estimate of number of times he's played in a year. Would you be disappointed then?
Really, it's the spirit of the thing. This guy is a rich fancy-pants orange mofo who does what he needs to to keep the poor poor. Whether the billboard is 100% wrong or 100% correct, it's pointing out that this guy is fucking off, playing games on the links and in congress, collecting assloads of money, healthcare and retirement benefits, while doing his damnedest to see the rest of us po' folk suffer and die through obstructionism and the organisation of the same.
me-oww!
It is NOT that much of a stretch for a country clubber to do several rounds a week. IT'S JUST NOT. Even "the poor" can do it. I used to know two Public Defenders who went two rounds during the week and two on the weekends. I went to school with two grad students who played at least one round every freakin' week day. I know country clubbers who do the same, some of them multiple rounds per day.
The point is, Boner ostensibly has a full time job looking out for his constituents. How is he doing that while spending hours per day golfing? Answer: His constituents are K Street golfers. Hell, he BRAGS about it.
It's not the exact number that's important - it's that the billboard claims a number which cannot be backed up, then the author of the article pretends the billboard doesn't claim that anyway. It undermines the very important and valid point that Boner is a crook living the high life off tax dollars by using donations to say something that just isn't true. There's plenty of true stuff to beat Boner with, why do things this way?
isn't that important. Watching him deny it is.
That brings to mind the LBJ story:
"When Lyndon Johnson ran for Congress, legend says, he wanted to spread the rumor that his opponent was a pig-fucker. Johnson's campaign manager said, "Lyndon, you know he doesn't do that!" Johnson replied, "I know. I just want to make him deny it.""
The important thing is that it puts the focus on what Boehner is doing as opposed to what he should be doing.
I guess that explains why the red team can only say no to president obama/(d) majority. They have no time to have opposing ideas/agenda they're out playing golf.
i grew up in boehner's district, and knew several people that worked for him when he was still a shade of pink, way back in the day.
and, sadly, i wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people around the area would only be jealous of boehner's golf outings, not outraged.
I'm kinda jealous and I don't even play golf.
:)
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
to put a beat boner in public?
It reminds me of a rare moment in Republican history, way back in my TV-watching days.
President Reagan was apologizing (shock!) for some mistake he'd made. I do not recall what it was. But his apology, broadcast on national TV, included, "I pulled a boner."
Democracy is too important to be entrusted to politicians.
Rise Up!
Protest!
I think this is why Boehner and the rest are coming unglued. . .
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
Not sure how they get out from under those bridges and away from those goats, but . . . .
over this "did not, did too, you're a liar" bullshit. Looks like one was here already, I'm sure she'll scuttle back to the dark with her news about the third grader fights over a number, and you all will be the laughingstock of the right wing net.
7 events? So that means he only played 7 times? "About 100" isn't 119? Fuck off and grow up.
This guy is from the same party the promulgated, nurtured and often repeated the Swift Boat shit, the WMD shit and all that, and you guys are missing the BIG ARSE point--Boehner is a fuck off, spanking his golf monkey, while collecting a huge salary from the US Govt and getting a guaranteed retirement plan, platinum health insurance, all the while ORCHESTRATING THE OBSTRUCTION of laws meant to help those who are not as well off as he is.
Feckin babies.
me-oww!
There's a reason why the low handicappers in Congress are Republicans.
"Although golf was originally restricted to wealthy, overweight Protestants, today it's open to anybody who owns hideous clothing."
Dave Barry (1947 - )
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
streak of unfunniness. Tied with Rob Schneider.
For a second there I thought it said Beat Bieber...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
I was a PGA assistant golf professional for 8+ years at a country club in PA.
Now, I don't know how many times Bozo played golf last year, but I do know that he had to play a minimum of 5 times, in order to have a USGA handicap.
Judging by his swing, and the follow-through depicted in that photo of him in his dandy white Bermuda shorts (to show-off his ever-so tanned legs - so gorgeous), I'm a little skeptical of the 7.5.
In order to maintain a handicap of 7.5, Bozo must have played quite a lot..... unless he is an extraordinary athlete (right?!) or he cheats when reporting his scores.
"Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of Stupidity" - Frank Leahy
I've always found it very hard to play golf with a Boehner.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
I've always found it very hard to do ANYTHING with a Boehner except play spank the monkey or find the beaver.
"Let's talk dirty to the animals"
...what's the point?
Seriously,I'm all for embarrassing this scumbag, but does Coussoule have any chance of unseating Boehner? His district went for him by 37% in '08. Could the money for the billboard be spent against a more vulnerable Republican incumbent? Funny billboard,but,I'm just sayin'.
Like for Tarryl Clark against Michele Bachmann, for instance?
Clark is coming on strong, Bachmann is vulnerable.
Democracy is too important to be entrusted to politicians.
Rise Up!
Protest!
It really galls me the way the tv newspeople handled the assertion that Boehner played golf 119 times. Couldn't they have done their own investigation to see who was telling the truth?
what with paying for hairdos and makeup and clothes and lighting and special effects and all, how the hell do you expect them to finance an investigative reporter?
answer that!
Democracy is too important to be entrusted to politicians.
Rise Up!
Protest!
I'll bet he's applied Orange-Glo personal toner at least 119 times!
According to Down With Tyranny Blog. The site lists the outings.
Here's the link:
http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2010/08/d...
In all fairness, the top three politicians (as opposed to lobbyists) on that list are Democrats. :-D
The biggest name on that list being, of course, Joe Biden.
Course, if anyone from Fox Models...err...news... sees this list and combines it with this billboard, they're going to go on and on about it. And like obedient little lapdogs, the rest of the media will follow.
The top three politicians may be Dems, but there are more than twice as many Republicans in the top 50 as there are Democrats.
Now, we have to take out that Congressman Ron Yarborough from Kentucky in November as well. This dirtball, golfer is No. 2 in Forbes Political Golfing rankings.
That Yarborough clown's district is even poorer than Bohner's.
Why don't we chip in for a similar billboard to go up around Louisville?
Justin is smokin' cute.
Beat your boners ladies and gentlemen!
I'm not gonna miss Boehner at all
See here.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NUZ_fM-TQKQ/TFpDYs6...
I was excited when I heard about this,but then I heard where it is.You know what,it doesn`t matter where it is.Boehner could pass out bribe money on TV, and the idiots in Butler county would vote for him.In fact the did just that on the House floor to Big Tobacco, and it was on -Span and he hasn`t had too much of a problem getting elected in Butler County.They like drunks with tans who lie their ass off.They just hate anyone pro-choice,pro gun control, or anti death penalty.I`m sure glad I don`t live there,but living one county away doesn`t seem far enough.
Of course he beats his boner, he's a Teaparty Reslug.
I would love to see a billboard at Tylersville and I-75 so Boehner, if he is ever home, can see it from his living room window.
Soon boner will have to make his living pitching Viagra...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
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