Priorities, people.
President Obama, the First Lady and several members of the House of Representatives boarded Air Force One en route to the memorial service for the victims of the Tucson shooting tonight. But Speaker of the House John Boehner isn't one of them. He's got a previous engagement: an RNC cocktail party fundraiser. No, I'm not kidding:
Speaker John Boehner will host a cocktail party for the Republican National Committee at the same time that President Barack Obama will be addressing the nation at the memorial service for victims of the Tucson shooting.
The Ohio Republican is holding a 7 p.m. cocktail reception Wednesday night for 168 RNC members, who are in the Washington area for an annual meeting. The event is sponsored by Boehner’s political action committee and will take place at Maryland’s National Harbor resort.
The RNC party coincides with the 8 p.m. EST memorial ceremony at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where Obama will honor the victims of Saturday’s shooting rampage that left six dead and 14 wounded, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), who is in critical condition.
A Boehner aide said the Speaker plans to leave the RNC party before Obama begins his remarks.
Well, isn't that sensitive of him? According to Ben Smith of the Republico...er, the Politico, Boehner is expected to use this time gathering money to tout lobbyist Maria Cino for RNC chair. You know, nothing says 'bringing a change to Washington' than promoting a lobbyist at a party.
No, really, I'm serious. In the old days, the lobbyist would be bringing the congressperson to the party, to promote their cause. Congrats to Boehner for turning that old canard on its ear.
