Ohio Congressman and House Speaker-elect John Boehner is our town crier. Not a cry-baby crier, but an ‘It might be politically expedient to show my softer side’ kind of crier.
He cries when he talks about his childhood, his family, Iraq war veterans, schoolchildren, and how he’s pulled himself up by his bootstraps to achieve his version of the American dream. He cried when he became the most powerful Republican in America and, most recently, he choked up when he was interviewed on “60 Minutes.”
So when did weepiness become the new power tool on Capitol Hill? Read more of my musings about John Boehner’s political crying game at Politics Daily!
December 14th, 2010 at 9:38 am
It’s pathetic really. The guy needs to man up. I’m not much of a Pelosi fan but when it comes to leadership style she definitely gets high marks.
December 15th, 2010 at 3:45 am
That’s a very interesting point to make that this may be a political ploy. Each time I have seen him speak in the past, he’s been able to hold it together. But now, he’s an actor??? What lengths will they go to????
December 15th, 2010 at 4:30 am
That’s so interesting that you would bring up the point that Boehner is using his emotions as political power tool. Each time I have seen him speak (which honestly has not been much) he’s been able to hold it together. Maybe as long as he’s talking about taxes for the rich and not driving by the neighborhood school yard; he’s happy.
December 17th, 2010 at 9:38 am
I have mixed feelings. I don’t like the double standard; that he can be considered sensitive and caring because he cries, but a woman in the same position would be considered weak. But look at the changes in our society; didn’t Sargent Shriver cry in public and get dropped off the VP ticket? Historically, men couldn’t cry, either.
December 17th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
You know how distorted one’s face becomes when you are crying, but don’t want to be? That’s how Boehner’s face looks when he cries. So, I don’t think he’s faking it. I have to go with Barbara Walters on this one – he has emotional problems.