Boehner’s ties to lobbyists under scrutiny

With polls showing that the GOP has a shot at regaining control of Congress in November, John Boehner, the man who would be Speaker, is coming under increasing scrutiny, especially for his links to lobbyists.

The New York Times fronts a Sunday piece looking at Boehner's "extremely tight ties" to lobbyists, who have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to his campaigns over the years. In return, they have gotten good access to Boehner and his aides, who have helped business interests "advance their agenda," reporter Eric Lipton writes.

But it's more than just fund-raising. Boehner is golfing buddies with several lobbyists, including those representing tobacco and financial industry interests. Between 2000 and 2007, Boehner flew at least 45 times on corporate jets provided by companies including R.J. Reynolds. (Under House ethics rules, Boehner reimbursed the companies for the cost of a first-class plane ticket. Lawmakers voted in 2007 to block cut-rate corporate jet rides.)

But Boehner's office says the story is unfair—in particular an anecdote by an unnamed lobbyist who, according to an early version of the story, claimed that he or she "won" Boehner's backing on a votes including proposed caps on debit card fees and a opposing a cap on greenhouse gas emissions. (The story was later updated to say "sought" instead of "won.") As the story notes, Boehner's aides say these are positions he already held.

For anyone who follows Washington closely, this is not exactly breaking news. It's no secret that Boehner has long ties to the lobbying community. As The Upshot previously reported, House Republicans launched a Boehner for Speaker fund-raising effort in July aimed directly at lobbyists, who, in exchange for raising cash for the GOP, are guaranteed "meetings with Leader Boehner."

But this story is news to millions of Americans to whom Boehner is a virtual stranger. With polls showing more than half of the nation has no idea who Boehner is, President Obama and the Democrats have stepped up efforts to introduce Boehner to the American people and to define him as a GOP bogeyman.

It's not unlike what Republicans did in 2006, when the GOP went after Nancy Pelosi, who ascended to the Speaker's chair that fall. The bad news for Democrats: They aren't likely to be any more successful than Republicans were in elevating a virtually unknown lawmaker in hopes of pushing back what increasingly looks like a "change" election.