On Sunday, Politico published a lengthy profile of former House Speaker John Boehner, once a leading force in the Republican party who was ultimately ousted by the more hardcore right-wing factions of the GOP. Since leaving office, Boehner has freely delivered his blunt opinions on conservative American politics (and politicians), and Politico’s explosive interview was no different. For example, during a discussion of the “deepening fissures in American society” as instigated by the news media, Boehner dubbed Fox News’ Sean Hannity a “right-wing idiot.”
Of course, as the former speaker remembers it, Hannity — and even Rush Limbaugh — weren’t always like this:
“I always liked Rush [Limbaugh]. When I went to Palm Beach I would always meet with Rush and we’d go play golf. But you know, who was that right-wing guy, [Mark] Levin? He went really crazy right and got a big audience, and he dragged [Sean] Hannity to the dark side. He dragged Rush to the dark side. And these guys — I used to talk to them all the time. And suddenly they’re beating the living shit out of me.”
In an effort to calm things down in 2015, Boehner claims he called Hannity up and told him, “Listen, you’re nuts.” The pair had a “blunt conversation” that apparently assuaged the situation, but Boehner laments “it got back to being the same-old, same-old. Because I wasn’t going to be a right-wing idiot.” Hannity, meanwhile, took notice of the Politico article’s only two mentions of him and offered his characteristic, Trumpian response on Twitter: “John were you sober when you said this? That conversation never happened. I’m sorry you are bitter and u failed!”
https://twitter.com/seanhannity/status/924808952008921089
Boehner had plenty of colorful things to say about other Washington power players, past and present. Recalling a heated discussion of earmarks, which the speaker “never accepted” and “enjoyed railing against those who did,” Boehner claims Alaskan Rep. Don Young “[pinned him] against a wall inside the House chamber and [held] a 10-inch knife to his throat.” The speaker’s response? “F*ck you.” Politico reached out to Young for comment on the episode. The congressman described it as “mostly true,” but seemingly suggested it wasn’t as serious as Boehner made it seem since “the two became good friends.”
Meanwhile, the topic of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and who its next chairman might be stirred a less-than-friendly set of reactions from Boehner. The former chairman, Jason Chaffetz, has since left Congress to become a contributor at Fox News. Trey Gowdy, best known for pursuing Hillary Clinton’s emails multiple times, and Jim Jordan are in the running for the post. Boehner’s thoughts? “Gowdy — that’s my guy, even though he doesn’t know how to dress… F*ck Jordan. F*ck Chaffetz. They’re both assholes.”
(Via Politico)