Boehner gets emotional

Posted: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 11:15 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Security

From NBC's Mike Viqueira
House Minority Leader John Boehner got emotional this morning as he spoke about the "solemn" debate that the House is set to begin today over the non-binding resolution opposing Bush's troop increase. Boehner appeared at a stake out of House GOP leaders that featured an appearance by Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas, who recounted his experience as a POW for seven years in North Vietnam, and how it was 34 years ago today that he was released from prison and had his first full day of freedom. Johnson talked about how his captors would play audio of antiwar protesters back in the United States over the loudspeakers at the prison. He drew a comparison with the message that he believes Congress is sending with this debate.

Boehner, standing by off Johnson's right shoulder, began to shed tears. A moment later he took the microphone and -- referring to Johnson's remarks while speaking about the "solemn" nature of the debate this week -- got misty all over again.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Ok I think I'm going to puke. No I do not believe it is real.

philf99, TN (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 11:22 AM)

Here are some anti war protesters and what they said the authors may surprise you: "You can support the troops but not the president" Tom Delay (R-TX) "Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the president to explain to us what the exit strategy is." Governor George W. Bush (R-TX) Of course that was said when Clinton went into Bosnia, so is it ok to protest the war only when it is a democrat's war.

Rufus Gibbons, Kennett,Mo. (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 11:35 AM)

Did Boehner have an eagle on his other shoulder? This is some really sicko crap. How about some tears for the 3,100 American and countless other lives already lost by Bush's lie. And all the treasure sunk in that sandpit while the Katrina damage still lingers for attention, looking worse than any Baghdad bombing. You're so right phil99 - it makes me want to puke.

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 11:38 AM)

I got misty eyed when the US invaded Iraq on the pretext of removing Saddam, wasted billions of dollars due to lack of Congressional oversight, bungled the follow-up to the invasion and then refused to leave the glorious bases built in Iraq while prepping the American people for a war on Iran. I got even mistier hearing about the deaths of National Guardsmen from Maine. Their deaths are not in vain: America honors her troops, its the politicans directing this fiasco we are protesting. Boehner should dry his eyes and get to work extracting us from this quagmire.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 11:43 AM)

"Overture, curtain lights/This is it, we'll hit the heights/And oh what heights we'll hit/On with the show, this is it!" -- theme from "The Bugs Bunny Show"

Rick Lapin, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 11:44 AM)

I wonder along with the sound of the anti war protesters, the North Vietnamese played "Feelin' like I'm Fixin' to Die Rag" by Country Joe and the Fish. Gimme an F....... Some more staged crap by the Republicans to shame the country into sending more soldiers to die in s*#t storm they created.

DAve, Sun City, AZ (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 11:54 AM)

I'm glad to see John Boehner still gets so emotional about Viet Name. He never made it there. He was discharged from the Navy with a 'bad back' ("her father was lazy and no count, claaaaaaaaimed he had a bad back" Polk Salad Annie). Minority Leader Boehner's military career lasted 8 weeks. Another Republican "Chicken Hawk".

Sierra, San Francisco (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 11:55 AM)

"Play Misty For Me". "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". Best I can do for now. Give the man a Claritin.It's just the pollen from all those blooming idiots around him. I too have deep emotion for anyone who has been a prisoner of war, and have had deep emotions for all those who have been killed, maimed, even beheaded. But..to exploit this man by using him to hijack an emotional debate is wrong.

M.E., Albany, Ga. (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 11:59 AM)

What sort of person who was a POW for seven years is gung ho to continue a war for the sake of the soldiers feelings? The soldiers do not want to stay there. They want to come home. How is it NOT patriotic to want the citizens of your own country to LIVE and to come home. This logic always escapes me.... Bring these men and woman home!!!

Lynette, NYC (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 11:59 AM)

And Sam Johnson would have been home a lot sooner if congress had acted to end the Vietnam War. Those of us who are products of the 60's, have heard it all before. Support the Troops...Fight them there so we don't have to fight them here...Chaos in the region...safe for democracy...We'll stand down when they stand up. Been there, Done that! Good God Y'all.

Al, Burlington, KS (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 12:00 PM)

So Boehner is weeping on his $1000 suit as he roles out old Sam Johnson to dis the "surge" vote. These people haven't gotten beyond the vaudville stage. Let's hope they have enough Kleenex to keep from flooding the House floor.

Jim Dwyer (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 12:00 PM)

Oh please!Enough of the old white men whinning and crying while W tumps up another front to send the troops to and hopes we will forget about why we went into this mess in the first place.

Fedup (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 12:03 PM)

Rep. Johnson is to be commended for his service and suffering for this Country. However, to insinuate that people in this Country are wrong to protest any war we are involved in, is in itself wrong. People have that right, if that is their belief. That is what makes this Country so great. Our right to speak our mind, no matter if every other person in the Country disagrees with that speech. If you think that should change, maybe YOU should move to another country. Our troops should be encouraged by protest. That Freedom is what they swore an oath to protect.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 12:05 PM)

Viqueira is a Bushist kool-aid swiller. Do your job you hack and stop with the propaganda.

sarah taos (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 12:19 PM)

Man, I hate it when a Republican gets misty-eyed. It's like getting locked in a truck load of Snickers and Diet Cokes for a month. And when you finally get out, you're sentenced to six years of watching "Days of our lives" reruns and Richard Simmons exercise videos.

JIrby, Colorado Springs, Co (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 12:28 PM)

WOW! I read these post daily just to see the left view of things in this country and it seems that its the same people making the same posts each day. It makes me mad to think that this country has become so divided within and that it has become so far left or so far right. I dont agree whatsoever with far left views. ie abortion, gay marriage, antiwar, IF you lefties want to talk about innocent lives being lost for nothing why dont you think for one second all the lives being lost through abortion, those are the truely innocent. Young men and women at least have a choice to join the military, they could have chosen something else. Unlike the left I truely believe that the country has been rotting from the inside out. The left is for taking god out of this country and that is evident through the lack of morals in the issues they support. I just think what would make someone support abortion? How on earth could anyone rationally think that abortion is right? Explain this to me LEFT siders.

Ryan nebraska (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 12:37 PM)

Has anyone heard of this playing of anti-war protestors at the prison before? I don't recall hearing of it before, but then I guess I haven't heard all of it yet. And would that duh!bya quote be a flip-flop? Oh no, couldn't be for he is not a Democrat!!

jt; NE (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 12:49 PM)

ryan neb. asap impeachbush.org and save america

mikeeg,abdn,wa (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 12:55 PM)

Ryan, First of all this is a political blog and we usually comment on the various commentaries posted here by the staff. Secondly, Not everyone on the left supports abortion per say, However supporting the right to choose is generally the issue. Of course, you would try to change the subject of how YOUR president wants to send 20,000 more americans who are in the military by choice( unfortunately the choice for some is whether they can go to college or learn a skill and their only option is military service first) to DIE or be in harms ways. These are VIABLE human lives with families to support,people with LIVES with children, parents, freinds. Think about this and stop the religious meanderings. My God and yours does not approve of this horrible war or any for that matter.......

Lynette, NYC (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 12:55 PM)

Boehner and Johnson are being hypocritical beyond belief. I wonder if their tears froze on their faces? What in the world do they want from the American public? To continue to act as lemmings, readyand willing to jump over the edge of the cliff into the boiling sea? We have had enough of these so-called leaders. If they cannot act on the public's wishes, then they need to resign. They have had cushy jobs since 1993 and have raked in the ill-gotten booty from Abramhof and Reed and others and have crucified Clinton on everything under the sun. Now, when faced with public anger over their actions in supporting the war in Iraq, they feign crying. Go home, boys... your time is over.

Nick, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 12:56 PM)

The majority of the troops in Iraq want to come home. They want the war to end. BUT, they want these things AFTER we've achieved something, not just say "well, things got hard so we're going to leave". There is a lot of frustration about how the war is being portrayed to the people by the media, which generally focuses on the negative. It's truly surreal at times to see and hear one thing and read something that's very different in the news magazines.

Chris, Abilene, TX (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:00 PM)

Ryan...typical righty...changing the topic because its something you don't want to hear. If you want to talk about abortion, go to another forum or something. We are interested in this story, not your sobbing about abortion. And for the record, if safe sex was taught in schools and protection was easily accessible...there would rarely be a need for abortion. But again you are a righty and don't believe in that either. Heck you probably think that because I'm a woman, I shouldn't have a job or be on the computer.

Michelle, Toms River, NJ (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:00 PM)

Ryan, just my opinion, but why don't you ask a women who was brutalized/raped her view of abortion. Or a woman who was told that the fetus she is carrying is not viable. As far as "Morals", more often than not, everytime there is some type of scandal, it comes from the right - preachers, priests, etc. Nothing like the arrogance of the "do as I say, not as I do" far right. Saddam was a horrible dictator, but he had no WMDs, and there were certainly no terriorist in Iraq - they came AFTER we were lied into this war. Nothing like the pentagon sifting through intelligence and cherry-picking only what fit their views.I've always considered myself a centerist, but after 6 years of this administration, I am definitely leaning to the left.

Jamie, Elmwood Park, Illinois (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:03 PM)

Ryan, it's your leader Bush who divided this country with his kill a Commie for Christ way of thinking and his twisted Messianic insanity.

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:04 PM)

The debate here is the war. Please do not hijack the discussion with other issues (i.e. 12:37pm).

Joe Dokes (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:05 PM)

I am so sorry. Evidently my download didn't include all of this article. Was Boehner crying about gay rights and abortion? I'll get back to you after I have a chance to read that whole article. Sorry again. My bad.

M.E., Albany, Ga. (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:08 PM)

Ryan...when the three branches of Government...Congress, Executive, and the Courts...become 50% or more female, then I promise to abide by their laws concerning abortion. Until then, I cannot listen to the good ol boys network telling a women what she can and cannot do. While we're on the subject, I bet you are pro-war, pro-guns, vehemently anti-gay, and anti any other religion. Where does this fit into the swords into plowshares, turn the other cheek, meek inherite the earth, Christianity? Just to be clear on this, you believe that since our soldiers are volunteers, that it is OK for them to die? That's really warped.

Al, Burlington, KS (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:08 PM)

Whatever you do Ryan of Nebraska don't step on a stem cell but cut medicaid because once they are born to hell with them. Should we also send our children to Jesus Camp to "make them as avid about their religion as the muslims are about theirs".

Rufus Gibbons, Kennett Mo. (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:11 PM)

If you get caught in the desert with your pooch and you run out of water, is it safe to drink highly filtered dog pee? Would Jesus be okay with this?

JIrby, Colorado Springs, Co (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:13 PM)

Ryan Neb...psssst...your hate is showing, better spin a new coverup to hide behind....

The Edge, Macon, GA (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:28 PM)

Boehner is a day late and a dollar short on the tears. He is part and parcel of this debacle in Iraq. President Bush is a War Criminal and Boehener is an enabler.

Coy Reese, Shady Spring, West Virginia (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:42 PM)

If anyone is a true RTL'er, then they should also be against all wars and capital punishment. Somehow, I don't believe that Ryan is walking the walk (I cringe when I hear that phrase as it reminds me of the religious right, those who selfishly believe they are the only ones to be "saved" and damn all others to Hell.) WWJD? He'd be appalled at the selfishness of our country. He'd be protesting against the war, poverty, greed, power, and all that he didn't like when he was here 2100 years ago. He'd be a black, Hispanic, poor & homeless, pregnant female with HIV. War is wrong on any front, for any reason. Killing is wrong, for any reason. If you believe in war and killing, then you cannot be a follower of Christ, or Mohammed, Budda or any other faith founded on peace, love and understanding. I am constantly struggling to be more like Christ. We all are. No one has yet to be like him, as it would mean being God. It is the desire, the effort, the attempt, the will and belief that are important. Where were we? Oh yeah... Boehner's crying for support for Bush and his policy of death and destruction.

Nick, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:43 PM)

All: The "right" to abort babies is the sacrament of the Democrat Party. Any arguments?

D (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:54 PM)

Ryan, please no "Wag the Fetus" topic changing here. Having sat back and watched the Republican freak show for the past twenty five years plus, it is apparent to me that pro-lifers and their Republicans stoolies are interested life from the moment of conception until they are born and the, you are on your own buddy.Cut Medicaid, Head Start, school lunches, support of public schools under the guise of "accountability" when all they want to do is funnel tax dollars to their favorite arena rock, blow dried preacher to lecture me on how I should run my life. May the real God come down and rid us of these phonies. Ezk.25:17. The only good American soldier is a live one. Bring home and let Allah sort it out.

Dave, Sun City, AZ (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:09 PM)

Mr. boehner, what a wonderfulman. He was really concerned about the 17 and 18 year old pages in the House when Mark Foley was roaming the halls.And oh yes, I too cried when my cousin's head was blown off in Vietnam.

Desmond (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:12 PM)

Michelle just because Im pro life dosent make me a sexist. Not one of you has explained to me how abortion is moral. Its typical again of the left to deflect any real ansewer or solutions, they provide criticizim and thats about it. And Al I dont condemn other religions at all, its christianity that is being persecuted in this country. I dont care who others worship, thats their choice, but its the rights of christians in this country that are being trampled on. As far as the dems they supported going into Iraq in the first place after recieving the same info that Bush did and now that things are tough in Iraq they want to tuck and run. Top military officals say that if we do that, things would definitly go from bad to worse. I support more troops, I also want the troops to come home but only when its time. I will trust those people that are fighting in this war to determine what needs to be done, not some far left that only wants the troops home for their own political agenda. Im pro war when I believe that it is necessary to fight the war on terror. The left is stating that we should have only gone after Osama and not Saddam. If we would have killed Osama would we be out of danger from the terror threat? This country was taken through an act of war, it was liberated through acts of war and is now being secured through acts of war. You all want to talk about this aritcle well go ahead and keep taking the low road making fun of the House Majority Leader, your typical response from the left. Grow up people!! Now attack my comments without any real dicussion because thats what the left does best.

Ryan Nebraska (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:12 PM)

D - the Republican party has absolute right to run your life. Any arguments? (What stunning hypocracy to be concerned with a life only until it's born, then it can fast track to a texas death row, Iraq, or a smoke-filled car in Maine - none of you "right-to-lifers" gives a damn. Go adopt an unwanted baby, then came back here on your self-righteous high horse.) Chris - it has always been the policy of the United States to "do what the troops want" so I can't understand why that "argument" doesn't work? Can you?

! (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:19 PM)

Nick you must know quite a bit about me to judge my walk through life. Jesus would be appalled at the state of this country from the , abortion, gay marriages, crime, porn, and the complete decay of any moral fiber. If you are supporting these issues then you are most definitly part of the problem and not the solution.

Ryan Nebraska (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:25 PM)

!: Your anger is not becomming. This time, give me arguments against my statement.

D (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:25 PM)

Ryan, you say you want to protect life yet support those that kill by bombing abortion clinics. You protect life yet support cutting the funding of healthcare for children. You protect life yet cut funding for children who wish to attend college and receive a education. You protect life yet don't support raising the min. wage so families can afford to raise their children. Hey Ryan a word to the wise caring for a child for 9 months and then all of a sudden stop caring does not make you pro-life it makes you a hypocrit.

Brian FL (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:33 PM)

No one is responding to you Ryan about the morality of abortion because no one has the right to call anyone moral or immoral. WE are not God, and we should not be judging people based on their own opinions and circumstances. THIs is not the subject of this blog. The house Minority Leader shed a tear at a photo op to gain momentum for his own stupid agenda..... Its laughable and such a see through tactic how could people with a half a head on their shoulders not comment.

Lynette, NYC (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:34 PM)

RYAN YOU FORGOT TO MENTION THE WAR!!!!!!!!!!!

Lynette, NYC (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:35 PM)

Ryan, you are the pot calling the kettle black if ever I read it! since you are not female you have no idea how much pain there is to carrying a child to term, you also have no idea how much joy there is in giving birth to that child. Having done both two times one of the things I have always taught my daughters - until you are ready to raise a child do everything in your power to keep from getting pregnant and never under any circumstances have a relationship with anyone who is right wing (of either party) and by all means do not volunteer for the armed services while a repugnant is in power. Now, back on topic: Guess it would not set well with old Bonie if all the troups came home and the unemployment rate went sky high in his district because all those doing the jobs now were out of work to give the troups their jobs back. Yes, it is an oil issue and it is an economic issue - lets pretend the economy is rosey for everyone even at 5.00 per hour! My service men and women deserve better than this - I support them because I want the VA to offer better healthcare to them and their families and I want them to come home right now alive and well!

Melba Isom, White Bluff, TN (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:35 PM)

Looks like Daddy's little War Criminal is calling on all his friends for back up - not gonna work this time!

Melba Isom, White Bluff, TN (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:36 PM)

How is it moral to be against abortion but then disect welfare? How is it moral to be against abortion, but not believe in teaching about birth control in school? How is it moral to be against abortion when you right wingers are supposed to be for LESS government in our lives? How can you be against abortion when you know that if we don't have abortions legally we will have back alley abortions, women dying, and even MORE homeless children? Last I checked this was a free country, and if you are against abortion then don't have one, don't let your wife have one, for the rest of the women out there...I don't think it is anyone else's business!

just lovely (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:38 PM)

Drinking, possessing porn, dressing indecently, having extramarital or gay sex, these acts will get you flogged or worse in Saudi Arabia. Can it be that Jesus loves the Arabs more than he loves the USA?

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:38 PM)

Ryan, Christianity in this country is being persecuted by the small group of loudmouth right-wing extremists who point fingers and blame the "godless Democrats" and others for the ills of our country. You're giving us the bad rap. The rest of us need to speak up and deny their speaking for us. Oh, and D, the Democratic party has no "sacraments." We know how to keep our religion and politics separate. No theocracies here.

Susan, NC (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:39 PM)

!, the troops want to win. We went into Bosnia in 1993. We're still there, but we gained something. We didn't go in, and when things got tough, turned and ran. Our troops don't want to give their blood, sweat and tears (and sometimes their lives) for a cause that the troops are fighting tooth and nail for, but many people are turning their back on. Most of those people who are turning their back on the mission never had to go there in the first place, so it's easy to say "oh, let's just call it quits".

Chris, Abilene, TX (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:48 PM)

Brian in Fl I never said any of those things because they were not dicussed by me. Nice Try, how is abortion a moral act?

Ryan Ne (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:50 PM)

Susan, NC: I disagree. The evidence proves otherwise.

D (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:51 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=55006