Boehner distances himself from Barton's Apology to BP

[Clio the Leo]

Boehner distances himself from Barton "slush fund" crack

So how bad is it for the GOP that select Republicans are slamming the White House for successfully pressuring BP to create a $25 billion escrow fund, calling it variously a "slush fund" and a "shakedown"?

Bad enough for John Boehner to distance himself from those making such remarks:

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) broke with a top Republican on Thursday who suggested BP had suffered a "shakedown" by being forced to set up a $20 billion fund to pay out damages.

Boehner distanced himself from remarks by Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) lamenting the BP fund, with the GOP leader expressing thanks for the fund.

"They've agreed to put this $20 billion dollars in escrow," Boehner said during an appearance on Fox News. "I don't know what context Mr. Barton was making that remark, but, I'm glad BP has accepted responsibility for their actions."

In addition to Barton, House conservatives on the Republican Study Committee have derided the BP fund as a "Chicago-style shakedown." Michele Bachmann has ripped the escrow account as a "redistribution-of-wealth fund," though she later backtracked.

Dems are going to be aggressively making the case that Republicans have crossed a line with these comments into something resembling outright collusion with BP against the interests of the American people, since if BP isn't made to pay damages, the taxpayer could be on the hook.

Dems intend to paint GOPers as stooges for Big Oil heading into this fall's elections, and these latest attacks on the White House for successfully holding BP accountable obviously will be used to support this case. Republicans I've spoken to today offered mixed views on how bad this is for them, though Boehner's rapid distancing of himself from Barton is a pretty clear tell. This isn't going away.
By Greg Sargent | June 17, 2010; 11:27 AM ET

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/06/boehner_distances_himself_from.html

[AspenRose]

1. Bahahahahahahahahaha

:D

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

2. I don't about anyone else. But if I worked for the DNC I'd be editing a commercial

with that footage right about now.

[Clio the Leo]

5. I'm sure they will, just as soon as they stop jumping up and down with glee. nt

[Catshrink]

3. Boner originally said that BP shouldn't have to pay it all

that government should help. He backtracked on that also.

[CTyankee]

4. Har de har har har...

love that Boner, he's gotta be feelin' the heat...

As for Michelle Bachman's remark, I'll be there are PLENTY of people who think wealth SHOULD be redistributed for a change...they're weary of being told that we have to keep the capitalistic system we have so that they, too, can become millionaires...they're tired of being suckered on that one...

[kjackson227]

6. Boner is a piece of cake. First he states that taxpayers should...

pay for the spill, but now he's glad that BP "has accepted responsibility...". Republicans are jokes.