Report: Boehner's inauguration smoke joke had first lady's eyes rolling

[swag]

http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/278579-boehners-inauguration-smoke-joke-had-first-ladys-eyes-rolling

. . .

Larry Wenig, a lip-reading expert, tells “Inside Edition” that his analysis shows the Ohio Republican asked President Obama if he had a cigarette before the Monday luncheon.

While Obama quit smoking in 2010, Boehner still lights up. Obama has called giving up the habit for good “hard.”

According to Wenig, Boehner was referring to Michelle when he quipped to the commander in chief, “Somebody won’t let you do it.”

A silent video of the exchange shows the first lady then rolling her eyes.

. . .

[seabeyond]

1. “Somebody won’t let you do it.” this would cause the roll. so damn tired of mens funny....

ole ball and chain wont let you

that would be why obama caressed her back.

[bluestateguy]

11. Yep

A smoking joke is one thing, but that other remark is pretty beyond the pale.

[dixiegrrrrl]

36. Looks like he also tapped her on the arm.....

look closely at the big video.
He flicks her arm, then she gives him the eyeroll AND moves her arm.

[seabeyond]

41. actually he taps her as he starts and she moves arm away. she rolls eyes later.

but, ya, that was letting her know his "joke" was coming

[dixiegrrrrl]

68. I could not believe he touched her.

Well, the eyeroll video has gone viral, so someone will surely show it to him.
For all the good it will do the sow's ear.

[kardonb]

75. bonehead

this creep has no class at all , just crude and mean spirited . Wish Michelle could have punched his smart-mouth pinched face .

[DallasNE]

84. Classless And Tastless Sexist "Joke"

Plus, slamming the First Lady will surely poison the well in future negotiations. Perhaps that was Boehner's true intent. I'm waiting for the apology from Boehner....

[seabeyond]

85. i am glad to see that others see clearly it was sexist, at the least an insult. no more funny

than all the other tired and old sexist jokes we hear too often.

thanks. at least one man is letting me know it is not offensive. i thought this one was the obvious.

[WeekendWarrior]

99. Oh, please...

Women make the same kinds of cracks all the time—and worse—about their husbands. I detest Bonehead, but I give him a pass on this one.

[seabeyond]

100. oh, please. it is men that challenge, this is a jab at women. it is women that identify

with michelles role of the eye.

and it is men that dismiss women when we say, it is not funny and we recognize it for what it is. and that dismissal, is why men continually, repeatedly, constantly make these stupid and old and tired jokes mocking women, thinking it is so fuckin' funny.

so. oh, please... yourself

[JustAnotherGen]

103. ditto seabeyond

And the 'old ball and chain thing' - as feminists - we tend to pick men with strong backbones that do what they want when they want. Not only did it paint her as a ball and chain - but him as bullied by a cuckhold.


To be strong enough to be my man - you better be an opinionated pain in the ass.

And if someone indicated that my husband was some little wimp who just cowered when I 'told him to do something' or would or would not allow him to do something - I would roll my eyes too.


Energy attracts it's same energy. She's a strong woman, he's a strong man. I've got a feeling neither one would dare to 'boss each other around'.

Now Boehner's wife? I betcha he pushes her around all the time. Not physically - but I bet he's an arrogant bully at home - just like he is at work.

[seabeyond]

104. "'old ball and chain thing'" that is exactly what i said to my youngest son last night

when i was talking about this. my oldest son clearly thought it sexist and mocking the wife.

he didnt see how anyone couldnt see that. but then, he does not see women in that role and doesnt see it in this house.

you are exactly right. it is an insult to the wife, the husband, their relationship and interaction with each other.

[WeekendWarrior]

106. I have heard women not only dismiss men

with callous indifference, I've also heard them say vile and disgusting things about them.

No gender is perfect. And ball and chain jokes are as old as the hills coming from both genders.

Get over yourself and lighten up.

[seabeyond]

107. and you did not hear me say a gender was perfect. that would be a fabricated argument. when...

you hear me argue women are perfect, then throw it at me.

and this thread, and the poster i was replying to, has nothing to do with that.

that would be derailing and ignoring what a poster says.

you get the fuck over yourself, and you do not tell me what to liten up about and what to take seriously.

[WeekendWarrior]

108. Really?

[srican69]

2. I dont know why rethugs are making disgusting remarks about FLOTUS eating her lunch ..

this is so wrong ...

[valerief]

39. It's even worse bringing it up here. nt

[srican69]

49. i know ... but I really felt hurt

the comments were found on the link in the OP

[Jackpine Radical]

87. For some crazy reason, I wanted to see what you were on about

so I scrolled down through the comments on that article. Wow, you had to troll through a lot of disgusting racist trash in order to find a couple of comments about Michelle having her elbows on the table, didn't you?

And THAT'S what got you all excited? Not the filth above?

Wow.

[srican69]

88. no....when i went..that was the first thing..bang on my face..

nt

[longship]

3. Interesting. Boehner smokes?

I am not surprised. Where I live, many people smoke.

I am sure that habit is more common in Congress than people know.

[CTyankee]

12. I had heard he smokes. I think that is why he is such an interesting color of orange...that

and his booze...he's done something to his liver function...

[longship]

17. Nah! That's Tanfastic. Or, genuine imitation tan like skin dye.

[No Vested Interest]

74. Boehner's skin color

I live near Boehner's district; the story in these parts are that he has always been that color; that it is natural.
He has ca 10 siblings and some or one of his parents (Mom) may be the same color.
If it is natural, comments on his skin color should be out-of-order.

Boehner repulses me, but not because of his skin color.
Perhaps his smoking and drinking have contributed to it.
His father owned a bar and Boehner did work in and around the bar, if that has any part in the discussion.

I don't know, and I have never read that he himself or his staff has broached the subject of his skin color.

[Eleanors38]

80. Looks like slips it on every morning.

[dixiegrrrrl]

23. He smokes and he drinks, daily, and early.

so say the news reports I have read about him.
Good news is, he is well on his way to lung cancer, if his liver does not go first.

What a tacky tacky man..they should hold mandatory etiquette seminars for Republicans.

Rule One: Do not disrespect the President or his wife, privately or publicaly.
Rule Two: Don't be an asshole anywhere.

[FunkyLeprechaun]

46. My mom went to a dinner as a guest of a Congressman

and she saw Boehner and she told me he stank of smoke. It's the kind of smoke that you know someone's a smoker even before they come within 3 feet of you.

[siligut]

47. Unfortunately they define asshole much differently than we do

You know it's true.

[Bluenorthwest]

48. Google 'John Boehner smoking' and you get photos of just that...

or take my word for it and spare your eyes the sorrow....

[Bucky]

70. Maybe it's the high school's filter, but this was the image I got from that search

[SheilaT]

51. Actually, it's easy to tell by looking at him

and listening to his voice that he's a long-time smoker.

He's got the deep lines and wrinkles that smokers get, and he has that quality to his voice (I don't know what word to use) that again you only hear in smokers.

[Hekate]

54. "Smoker's rasp" is the phrase you want

Really rips the vocal cords in the end.

[AlbertCat]

55. He's got the deep lines and wrinkles that smokers get,

Huh.

I thought that was from those lost week ends.

[louis-t]

4. God, boner is an ass.

Yes, boner, 'real men' smoke, 'real men' don't quit because their wives want them to, 'real men' drink whatever you drink, you're a 'real man', repukes are all 'real men', blah, blah, blah.....

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. Class A jerk.

I'll roll my eyes in solidarity with Mrs. O. ===>

[Cha]

7. Lol

[greatauntoftriplets]

8. Yep.

[CTyankee]

14. I bet she's GLAD he won't accept invitations for dinner at the WH...

she doesn't have to put up with that vile man...

[greatauntoftriplets]

15. This really takes the cake.

Sexist 1950s thinking, IMHO.

[okaawhatever]

6. I don't think that too sexist. He's saying the leader of the free world answers to his wife. I'm

okay with that.

[seabeyond]

13. " answers to his wife." because he is a little kid and needs a mommy? nt

[CTyankee]

16. He's gonna be one of those old codgers who try to flirt with the teenage girl checking his

groceries in the supermarket. Crooning in one of those high registered voices. Thinking they are cute. And the poor kid has to listen to it...

[seabeyond]

18. ah, i know that old codger,

but who are you talking about, obama, bohner, or the post that says a man needs to answer to his wife, lol

[CTyankee]

105. just your generic codger. Boehner's gonna end up like that. Obama will NEVER be like that.

[Gore1FL]

24. I would think more it's because marriage is a partnership

and it's OK to make requests of one another.

[seabeyond]

26. we all know that is a tired and old joke, nudge ribs wink wink, that men like to use on

women.

we have heard it endlessly, forever.

why are we pretending it is anything else.

that would be dishonest.

women have been forever rolling their eyes, and men have been pretending forever it is funny and it isnt.

[Gore1FL]

89. If my asked me not to smoke, I would stop.

She never did. Since then we have divorced as friends and I stopped smoking.

Who cares what Boehner says, meant, or otherwise thinks?

The implication of the joke is "You respect your wife so much you will do something difficult because it means a lot to her." Unless you are looking to be offended, there is no offense to be had.

[seabeyond]

90. that really was not the implication. he was mocking her. that is what the joke was.

that is the laugh between men.

but whatever... really. done.

[Gore1FL]

91. He wasn't mocking her.

But feel free to be offended.

[seabeyond]

92. isnt it grand having the troll agreeing with you michelle was just being too sensitive.

you are in good company. just alerted on another that had already been tos'ed how just a chuckle amongst the guys.

good for you, to let us women know how we should feel. da man.

[Gore1FL]

93. Feel free to be offended. n/t

[seabeyond]

94. i have your permission, twice. no surprise. gonna say it a third time? nt

[Gore1FL]

95. For someone who was "done" several posts up this sub thread you are still quite verbose.

It's funny that you take me pointing out obvious things as me giving you permission. Whatever. Anything to be offended, eh?

[jzola]

76. YES1

[Kennah]

9. I didn't even need the backstory to roll my eyes in support the FLOTUS

Now I'm dizzy from all the eye rolling I had to do to catch up. The Boner is a First Rate Douche.

[TDale313]

10. Perhaps Michelle actually wants her husband...

To be around for the next 30 or 40 years. Just sayin'...

[HiPointDem]

19. who cares???? this obsession with what boner said to obama at the inaugural dinner reminds

me of the courtiers in the court of louis XVI gossiping.

it's just court gossip, & stupid court gossip because it's entirely personal & has nothing to do with political issues.

the inaugural's over, could we get back to things that actually matter?

[msanthrope]

33. Obviously, you care enough to reply. Why not use 'trash thread' rather than trying to control what

other people talk about?

[FSogol]

20. Hey Boehner: No one cares if you smoke or not.

Just saying....

[judesedit]

21. Well, he really wanted a cigarette & maybe Obama partakes occasionally or he's jus a ball-buster.

He doesn't have a mean look on his face, but maybe he knows what a sensitive subject it is for the Obamas. Naturally, Michelle wants Obama to be healthy. Maybe Boehner's wife should try encouraging her hubby to quit. Obviously, each party was experiencing some discomfort.

[LiberalFighter]

32. I'm wondering if Boehner's wife is looking forward to him keeling over?

She has to know that there isn't much of a future with him politically at this point. His star has gone as far as it can. She might be thinking she can live better alone than as two on the savings.

[Arugula Latte]

22. Wasn't this a Seinfeld episode with Marlee Matlin?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

25. Poor Michelle was stuck sitting next to Boehner stinking like cigarette smoke, and cracking...

Unfunny jokes. Yep, I'd roll my eyes at that remark too.

It kind of explains why Boehner's wife didn't look happy though. She probably was as insulted as Michelle was by the "somebody won't let you do it" remark.

[LiberalFighter]

38. Now that you mention sitting next to someone that smokes.

That is a disgusting smell. The stink fills up all of the openings in ones clothes and stays there. And if he spends time in low dive bars there is the smell of urine too.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

44. It does permeate your clothing.

I never realized it when I was a smoker, but now that I'm not I notice it on others who smoke.

[SheilaT]

52. And the clothes of everyone who lives with the smoker.

When I did volunteer work in my son's first grade classroom some years back, I noticed that one child always smelled of cigarettes. It was bizarre. And when my sister, whose husband smoked, sent me baby clothes when I was expecting, the first thing I had to do was wash the already clean clothes because, yep, they reeked of cigarettes.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

60. That's so true. I've a friend whose husband smokes and she picks up the smell on her person.

I never smoked in the house, a vehicle or in any inclosed area because it would ruin them. Funny how I could make that connection and not realize I was walking round stinking to the high heavens.

[dixiegrrrrl]

71. The book swap site I belong to lists "smoke smell" as a no-no.

You mail out a book that stinks, you don't get your points.

[LiberalFighter]

69. I noticed it years ago

that the smoke will move towards me because it was seeking out the open spaces of my clothes. It won't do it as much for smokers because their clothes are already filled.

[HiPointDem]

42. since her husband smoked during most of their marriage, she apparently was able to tolerate the

smell.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

43. Maybe, but I used to smoke and my husband hates the smell.

It was one of the things he commented on after I quit.

[Hekate]

59. My ex-husband was a smoker; so were my parents; I'm not

You get used to it, that's all. But once you either move away (as I did from my parents) or someone quits (as my ex did) the nonsmoker's nose clears, the environment clears, and then you really lose your tolerance for the odor. Smokers who visit me (like my daughter) simply take it outside.

My brother has been a pack a day (or more) smoker since he was a young teen; and now in his mid-60s he not only has emphysema, he reeks. Like the alcohol he takes in, it literally comes off his skin, not just his breath. I love him and am sorry about this, but I am glad I don't live with him.

Landlords have no-smoking rules now because cigarette smoke stains the walls and ceiling and the smell gets in the carpets and drapery and can't really be cleaned out.

[SheilaT]

62. Actually, repainting a house or apartment can

pretty much kill the odor.

That's what we did back in 1989 when we bought a home and the husband was a smoker.

[Hekate]

66. Glad it worked for you. When my husband (not the ex) and I were looking at houses...

... it was sad how much you could smell the results of there having been a smoker in residence. The reek of lemon "air freshener" overlaying it didn't help, either. It would have taken paint and new carpeting at a minimum.

Anyway, I'm glad it worked out for you folks.

[SheilaT]

96. Oh, yeah.

In a different city (from the one where we repainted) when househunting, I can very clearly recall at least one house that we absolutely would not consider because of the cigarette smoke smell.

Another time, about five years ago, I was thinking I'd move to a particular city and was doing some preliminary househunting, and again, the cigarette smoke was a total turnoff. Unfortunately, smokers really do not get it, because they either don't notice the smell at all, or it's simply a familiar and okay one for them.

[HiPointDem]

67. landlords have no-smoking rules because the incidence of smoking had decreased & moved steadily

down the class scale.

iow, landlords have no-smoking rules for the same reason prisons have pee in a bottle rules. because they can, & no one will kick.

rich & middle class people can buy a place to smoke & use drugs & alcohol if they care to.

[gateley]

27. That makes sense. And it's just the sort of insensitive, stupid thing Boehner would ask.

She should have said "he didn't but did you get a snootful of merlot?"

[BeyondGeography]

28. Harmless stuff...mostly, it was an excuse for Michelle to show her disdain for Orange Man

[elleng]

34. Or for PrezO's difficulty kicking the addiction to nicotine.

[seabeyond]

37. it is an insult to women. men know it. bohner knew it. and the two women sitting there

knew it. as did obama.

but wtf... go after michelle for being too sensitive.

[BeyondGeography]

63. I wrote what I wrote because the President was laughing his ass off

[seabeyond]

79. and he also connected to michelle touching her back. what did you expect obama to do, call him out

tell him to grow up. behave? be respectful?

this is what men do when another says something sexist in front of wife and doesnt want to cause problems or make it worse.

[BeyondGeography]

81. It's also what they do when it's no big deal, which this wasn't/isn't

[seabeyond]

82. you are right. men do not think insulting a woman, with a good laugh, is a big deal. i get that

men think it is funny. women have been hearing this shit all our lives. and regardless of women rolling our eyes, or telling men it isnt funny, they still say the same shit, and they still laugh their ass off, wink wink, nudge nudge, cause we all know it is bullshit.

[JDPriestly]

29. I saw a video that was more complete. There was a joke between Boehner and the President,

but Boehner hits Michelle Obama on the arm. She recoils, pulls her arm away from him as if to prevent him from hitting her again, and only then does she roll her eyes. That video looked real from me. The President and Boehner may have been joking about smoking, but Michelle was pulling away from Boehner because he touched her. How repugnant would that be?

I'm glad Obama quit smoking or at least cut down on it because it means he is likely to live longer, and we will need him even after the next four years. It means so much to have former presidents with us.

[Earth_First]

30. What a jackass. This is like asking a recovering alcoholic if they'd like a drink... n/t

[elleng]

31. GOOD! Decent and fairly likely explanation!

[Enrique]

35. that sounds like good lip reading

i prefer bad lip reading, I hope the BLR people give us an alternate answer.

[LiberalFighter]

40. Boehner just doesn't understand the consequences of his actions. He still going with good old boys

in the back room shenanigans.

The consequences? Obama calling him out on the carpet. Letting him know to show better respect to the First Lady.

[Blue Owl]

45. Boehner reminds me a bit of the Smoking Man from the X-files

n/t

[siligut]

50. Now that you mention it, he does!

How sad really and Boehner is kind of vain, smoking just ruins your skin.

[Hekate]

53. What a sexist ass the Orange Man is

Why not just follow it up with "Mr. Prez is ___________ whipped" for good measure?

[libodem]

56. I read that blank

And I am shocked! Shocked I tell you. I said the word silently in my mind. Oh, noes.....

[AlbertCat]

57. "Somebody won’t let you do it.”

Of course the President himself didn't make such a decision for his own good.

In GOP-Land, such responsible acts only come from "regulation"... intrusive regulations. No one would ever stop polluting anything (air, water, self) unless MADE to.

[Bok_Tukalo]

58. A bit of ribbing between friends

No big deal.

Man, it would be rough having people speculate about every eye roll. It would drive me nuts.

[Hekate]

61. Friends?! Friends with Boehner who contravened his oath of office...

... to try to bring a duly elected president down by thwarting every single piece of legislation and every single gesture of conciliation, just because he's not a white Republican?

Suuure.

[Bok_Tukalo]

65. This is Hugh!!!one!11

<OPE>

[Z_California]

64. ^^^^^what he said

I had to scroll a long way to find the winner

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

72. When I'm elected President (as if) ...

My motorcade will roll through a takeout BBQ joint, and find a quiet spot on the Potomac shore for a picnic. Lunch in a political crowd with cameras rolling just seems like no fun at all.

A job with no breaks, no "off" time. No thanks.

[Mr.Bill]

73. Maybe instead of rolling her eyes,

she should have looked right at him and screamed HELL NO!

Or taken a page from the Cheney playbook and said Go Fuck Yourself.

[rhiannon55]

77. My late husband took up smoking

ten years into our relationship. He had been a smoker long before I met him, and he succumbed to it again. He never smelled the same after that and it definitely interfered with our intimacy. Unfortunately, he never stopped until the morning he died from a heart attack. I blame the smoking as a large factor in his early (age 59) death. I had tried and tried to get him to stop, and was unsuccessful. I hate tobacco smoking more than almost any other vice.

I'm thrilled that President Obama no longer indulges in that nasty, destructive habit.

[Ztolkins]

78. I've watched this damn 20 second video 3 times

Which is more than I watch most 25 second videos...and I see no eye roll. Am I on drugs?

[arely staircase]

83. so none of the behavior - on anyone's part - was wierd or otherwise noteworthy?

the whole thing was basically an inside joke about smoking between the obamas and the orange man - with the latter obviously thinking it is all more clever than at least one of the former does?

am i right?

[barkway]

86. Amazing grace

Personally, I think Mrs. Obama showed amazing grace sitting next to him and not hauling off and smacking that POS after the way he has treated her husband since he was elected.

[Oakenshield]

97. Call me crazy but....

I'm more disgusted with the fact he actually touched her than the stupid and insensitive sexist jab. I probably would have shivered in disgust if I were in her shoes. After all the crap he's pulled he has no right whatsoever to act familiar with the First Lady. As for the President himself...his self restraint never ceases to amaze me, and kudos to Michael for brushing Boner off with that eye roll.

[seabeyond]

98. he had to get her attention so she knew he was making the jab. what fun is it to insult someone

if they do not listen to you.

[Oakenshield]

101. It'd be little fun at all I imagine but....

We've always ignored them anyway.

[kestrel91316]

102. She clearly didn't appreciate his "joke", nor was she impressed by

his overly familiar slap.

Fucking drunkard.