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http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0411/feigned_moral_outrage_65210f35-33b5-4042-90eb-b7bc1b279f75.html

Boehner eye-rolls Biden

One of the prevailing mysteries around the White House lately is how frequent visitor and House Speaker John Boehner gets along with President Obama -- and by extension, Vice President Joe Biden.

We know what their staffers say: Frank and open, honest discussion, cordial, constructive working relationship. Yeah. But how do they really get along? Because those are three very distinct personalities.

Boehner was on Fox News today, describing a "what the hell" moment after Biden's widely reported outburst during budget negotiations last week.

In their closed door session, Biden reportedly tired of Republican shenanigans and declared, "We'll let the American people decide." Boehner called it "feigned moral outrage"

"I looked over at Joe, and I said, 'Joe, what the hell is that?' " Boehner said. "You know, this was this feigned moral outrage like I was going to buy this. I think he must have forgotten that I had 11 brothers and sisters and my dad owned a bar. You know I've seen this act before."

Boehner said at least one person in the room bought it. "Harry Reid believed it was true, but really, I've seen this act before, as I just looked at Joe and started laughing," Boehner said.

The public personas of Obama and Boehner are somewhat alike -- remote, singular, slightly imperious, steely and confident. The speaker said last week during the budget deliberations that he and Obama have a good relationship.

"I like the president personally, we get along very well," Boehner said. There has been some talk of a golf game.

But Boehner and Biden? They seem worlds apart -- Biden is avuncular, cheerful, locquacious and direct. Other than Boehner's public emoting, they wouldn't seem to have much to build a relationship on, beyond a long, shared history in Congress.

But Boehner said they have a good thing. He described the vice president as "the jovial, never says a nasty word Joe Biden." Which is why Boehner felt he could call him out for the outburst.

"Listen, the vice president and I have been in a long relationship, we've known each other, we get along fine, we've worked together fine, and this was just so out of character for him that I knew what it was," Boehner said.

"I didn't get him to smile," Boehner said, "but I did get him to stop."


Eric D. Schwerin
Rosemont Seneca Partners, LLC
1010 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Suite 705
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-1880
eschwerin@rosemontseneca.com
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