POLITICS EXTRA

PX: See what John Boehner had to say in f-bomb-laden, salty interview

Jason Williams
Cincinnati Enquirer

John Boehner's Catholic alma maters are so proud of their guy, but neither Xavier University nor Moeller High will be using his latest interview in any upcoming promotional materials.

The former Speaker of the House let 'er rip in a bizarre, f-bomb-laden interview with Politico Magazine, which posted a lengthy profile titled "John Boehner Unchained" on Sunday night. They could've added "unfiltered" or "uncensored" to the headline, too.

Boehner was quite salty – even at times sounding bitter – when discussing what's happened to the Republican Party and recollecting his time in Washington. He pretty much had something to say about everyone in politics – Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Mike Pence, Harry Reid, Bernie Sanders, members of the so-called Freedom Caucus.

Here are five of Politics Extra's favorite (or least favorite) Boehner quotes in the Politico piece:

“F--k Jordan. F--k Chaffetz. They’re both a--holes.”

• Context: Boehner was responding to mention of the news about Trey Gowdy becoming new chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The previous chairman, Jason Chaffetz, abruptly resigned from Congress in June. Some had hoped Ohio's Jim Jordan would get the seat. Jordan is founder of the uber-conservative Freedom Caucus, which was always at odds with Boehner. By the way, Boehner was quoted as using the f-word five times.

“Jordan was a terrorist as a legislator going back to his days in the Ohio House and Senate. A terrorist. A legislative terrorist.”

• Context: "Jordan was the antagonist in the story of his speakership – an embodiment of the brinkmanship and betrayal that roiled the House Republican majority and made Boehner’s life miserable," according to the article.

“I’m smoking a cigarette, and they bring me a glass of merlot. And we’re sitting there a little while, and here’s the president drinking iced tea and chomping on Nicorette. What else do you need to know about the two of us?”

• Context: Referring to a meeting Boehner had with then-President Obama in 2011.

“He’s the most honest guy who ran for president. He really believes all that crazy stuff he talks about.”

• Context: Referring to U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders' bid for president last year.

“I don’t do angry. Nobody on my staff has ever seen me angry. But that little son of a b---h got under my skin. ... I walked right up to him and said, ‘Harry, you can go f--k yourself. You ever listen to that s--t that comes out of your mouth?’ ”

• Context: In December 2012, then-Senate Majority Whip Harry Reid on the Senate floor accused Boehner of running a "dictatorship" as Congress tried to avoid going over the "fiscal cliff."

These are just a sampling of the goodies Boehner gave Politico Magazine reporter Tim Alberta, who visited with the former Speaker at his home in West Chester.

There are some great photos in the piece, too, like the one of Boehner, eyes closed, kicked back in his recliner, wearing a long-sleeve Xavier T-shirt and holding a "heater" in his right hand.

Politics Extra is a column looking inside Greater Cincinnati and Ohio politics. Follow Enquirer political columnist Jason Williams on Twitter @jwilliamscincy and send email to jwilliams@enquirer.com.