Hey Boehner: how ’bout that pledge you made to your wife?
It was Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) who told abstinence education advocate Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN) that he had to resign from Congress after having an affair with a staffer. It was also Boehner that told members of his caucus that they had to stop using the “party house” to entertain young Republican female lobbyists.
While everyone knows that John Boehner enjoys the good life of luxury travel and golf junkets, many are convinced that enjoys a mistress, too.
I began hearing this from several sources last month with increasing amounts of detail, including the name of the lobbyists Boehner is supposedly having a relationship with – Lisbeth Lyons, Vice President for Government Affairs for the American Printers Association.
I decided I’d look into the story, but I hadn’t decided how to pose the question directly to Boehner. Last night, I learned the location of the House Republican Leadership’s “Pledge to America,” event.
I was able to catch up with Boehner just as he was leaving the event. His silence (which does not equal an admission, of course) in the face of the repeated question does not, it seem to me, to be one you’d expect from a happily married man confronted with an accusation of being unfaithful. Note the complete lack of outrage at being asked about allegations that are unfounded or untrue. There wasn’t even a simple “no,” to put the issue to rest.
Here’s the video. You be the judge of his response:
So far as I’m concerned, if someone asked me if I was cheating on my wife, it would be very easy for me to simply say, “Absolutely not. No truth to that whatsoever.” John Boehner couldn’t bring himself to mouth those words.
Of course, he didn’t admit to the affair either, so I decided to take the next step. I called Lisbeth Lyons for comment. Hers to is not the reaction I’d expect of someone who had was hearing an unfounded personal allegation like this. Here’s the audio:
Again, there isn’t any reaction I’d expect, such as calling me crazy, threatening to sue, or saying “absolutely not.”
Simply put, that wouldn’t be the natural response given by any woman that I know that wasn’t sleeping with the most powerful Republican in Washington.
The bottom line is this: At an event John Boehner offered numerous pledges to America, he wouldn’t comment on whether or not he was keeping a fundamental pledge he made to his wife. John Boehner forced Mark Souder to resign for adultery. Shouldn’t he at least have to say what the truth is?
Although I am no fan of Boehner, or of any of the Republi-NUTS, and have no warmth in me for the Tea Baggers, I do have to say that this is one sorry mess of sensationalism, this video, and reporting.
I think this is one time something was handled appropriately by one of them. After all, almost anything else would lend implied credence to it, as well.
With this kind of dogged obsession on the matter, the person is damned if they do (answer at all) and damned if they don’t (answer at all).
Robert Meek
23 Sep 10 at 3:49 pm
With a denial from either of them, I would have been forced to develop more befdore going to press.
But: when a lobbyist says “no comment” when asked about rumors of an affair with the most powerful Republican in Washington… well… then I think we’ve got enough to start asking questions and maybe even making assumptions.
Mike Stark
23 Sep 10 at 4:03 pm
Good work Mike! A lot more is there- this has been going on a long time.
John Boggs
23 Sep 10 at 4:17 pm
While this in no way actually confirms any impropriety on Boehner or Lyons part it’s not dissimilar to how Woodward and Bernstein developed the Watergate story. Anytime a source says “No comment”, instead of “No.” or “Yes.” it is legitimately an open question. I have no problem with it. No where is it saying “Well it’s official”. Rather it says “There maybe should be more questioning of this here.”
Let’s see if anyone else picks it up.
Michael
23 Sep 10 at 4:25 pm
[...] rumors have been going around, so one of the few journalists we have left, Mike Stark, decided to ask Boehner about it directly: It was Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) who told abstinence education advocate Rep. [...]
Truth Wins Out - Is “Family Values” Minority Leader John Boehner Having An Affair with a Lobbyist?
23 Sep 10 at 4:25 pm
Seriously??
The Left wants to expose the Right’s alleged infidelity???
Again…. Seriously???
Spitzer, Jackson, Edwards, Gore and all the others waiting in the wings and the Left wants to lecture the Right about fidelity???
3rd time’s the charm… Seriously???
Since that question will probably leave the hysterical Left stammering and stuttering, I’ll throw out an easy one… Mebbe…
How do you get to fidelity thru abstinence???
Just curious.
Ya’all really have to be desperate to reach to such low depths that tars Democrats a LOT more than Republicans…
Since the standard reaction to facts and reality around here usually results in a BAN, feel free.. It would be par for the course for those of lesser intellect…
Michale32086
Michale32086
23 Sep 10 at 5:26 pm
Keep after it… it’s been going on for 20 years. There are many like her.
Loblolly
23 Sep 10 at 7:29 pm
Michale32086
You are right, the left should only talk to the right about cleanliness in airport bathrooms or how to see while in the closet…
Seriously though, we can debate this at the lefts “Values voters summit” – oh wait, we are not the holier than thou crowd.
Joe LoRe
23 Sep 10 at 7:42 pm
Mike Stark, I have heard rumors that you have repeatedly molested children. Rumors that Mike Stark is a child molester. I’ve heard that Mike Stark molests little boys. That Mike Stark is a serial pederast. I keep hearing that Mike Stark has sex with kids. Hey, anybody else heard these rumors that Mike Stark is a child rapist, that Mike Stark is a pedophile? Mike Stark: pedophile. Mike Stark: child rapist. Mike Stark: child molester. Child molester Mike Stark. Pederast Mike Stark. Pedophile Mike Stark. Mike Stark: little boys.
Of course, these are just rumors. Any comment, Mike Stark?
Hey, I’m a journalist!
bob
23 Sep 10 at 7:47 pm
Michale,
Politicians in both parties cheat. I wasn’t aware of empirical evidence that implicates Ds more than Rs, but given your “intellect,” I’m sure you can cite it for us.
Not that it matters. Most people don’t care about private behavior between consenting adults. What they do care about is the hypocrisy of those people – Democrat or Republican – when they try to legislate sexual morality for the rest of us.
Apt604
23 Sep 10 at 8:01 pm
LOL, Michale32086. At least the Dems aren’t seeking to impeach any of the mountains of Republicans who can’t keep “it” in their pants.
Your rant sounds like the “pot calling the kettle black” to me… LOL!
And, I can’t figure out how Democrats could ever be harmed in any way by a Republicans indiscretions and broken vows to his own wife… It’s not the Dems who preach to everyone about “morality” in sexual relations and what not while consistently doing the opposite way out in PLAIN SIGHT. At least that much lesser number of Dems *try* not to be so BLATANT about their shenanigans and disrespect for what they consider to be such an important moral issue! LOL!
Hypocritical, if you ask me.
Barbara E Bj
23 Sep 10 at 8:55 pm
Is that really the best you can do Michale32086?
Republicans are continuing to shout family values from the rooftops, and by far, they are the worst offenders.
Let’s take Newt for example, married 2 of his mistresses, Rudi so far has only married one. John McCain, left his wife of many years for a 25 year old. Sen. John Ensign, blackmailed by the husband of a staffer he was having an affair with,Mark Sanford went to Argentina on the state’s dime, and told everyone that he was just hiking.
It’s just the gift that keeps on giving . . .shall I go on?
As far as “fidelity through abstinence,” that’s a question that you should ask Boehner.
Meri
23 Sep 10 at 9:07 pm
Nope. No truth to that.
See, how hard was that?
Mike Stark
23 Sep 10 at 9:27 pm
Mike Stark today denied rumors that Mike Stark of http://www.thestarkreports.com has repeatedly molested children. Rumors that Mike Stark, of Stark Reports, is a child molester. I’ve heard that Mike Stark molests little boys, but he denies it. That Mike Stark is a serial pederast. I keep hearing that Mike Stark of Stark Reports has sex with kids. Hey, anybody else heard these rumors that Mike Stark is a child rapist, that Mike Stark is a pedophile? Mike Stark: pedophile. Mike Stark: child rapist. Mike Stark: child molester. Child molester Mike Stark. Pederast Mike Stark. Pedophile Mike Stark. Mike Stark: little boys. He denied it, though, so make of it what you will, this rumor that Mike Stark rapes little boys.
Journalism! Not cheap, hacky stunts — no sir. Journalism!
bob
23 Sep 10 at 11:52 pm
Umm someone doesn’t want to respond to a sensationalist blog… shocking. Maybe if you were a real journalist you might of gotten a response. But… alas.
Kudzu35
24 Sep 10 at 12:04 am
In all seriousness, Mike, John Boehner is a creep and an asshole. But, clearly, so are you. This is the stuff of Breitbart. It’s even *worse* than Breitbart.
It’s also the stuff of Jon Stewart’s ongoing feature “You’re Not Helping.” The True Believers who are on your side think you’re a hero. The True Believers who are on Boehner’s (and Breitbart’s) side think you’re a dick. And you know what — all the people who aren’t True Believers on either side think you’re a dick, too. So what good have you done? Of course, you drew attention to yourself, so there’s that.
And that’s really your main interest. So, you’re shallow. You’re superficial. You’re a cheap hack. You’re a culture-coarsener. You’re a Morning Zookeeper. You’re no different from any drooling screamer on Fox, talk radio, or the nuttier right-wing blogs. Don’t think that because you’re on the correct “side” that makes it OK — just the opposite, in fact. You’re hurting way more than you’re helping. Nice work. Thanks a bunch.
bob
24 Sep 10 at 12:26 am
Congratulations and applause. Every time someone catches one of these puritanical perverts cheating on their spouse, it ought to become headline news.
And if it’s non-consensual, like that Republican congressman who “let his fingers do the walking through the (underage) pages,” there ought to be a criminal prosecution.
Simple algorithm: the more a politician or preacher rants about the evils of sex in general (or homosexuality in particular), the greater the probability that they have major secrets in their closet. It’s just like the way the organized drug gangs are pouring in money to defeat pot legalization in California.
Self interest coupled with projection produces demonic offspring.
Meanwhile we can heartily enjoy the fact that a(nother) truly evil bastard got caught with his pants down and his denials stuck in the zipper.
And any Republicans who gets all defensive about it can bite me.
g782
24 Sep 10 at 8:30 am
Obama also made a pledge — that healthcare would be affordable and we’d all be able to keep our existing health plans. But I can see how this November, voters are going to care so much more about the pledge that Boehner made to his wife. Those who could even tell you who he is, or how to pronounce his name.
So good job, Mark! I can’t imagine how this could possibly backfire. Obama has never even MET a lobbyist in his life, much less been “in bed” with one. Democratic SWEEEEEEEP!!!
Northeast Elizabeth
24 Sep 10 at 9:32 am
D-bags like you, Mike, simply did not get beat up enough in grade school; only a coward punk ass bitch would make their living publishing this shit. Hope your wife and kids are proud.
loloma
24 Sep 10 at 9:38 am
Mike, he ignored you because youre a tool! He doesnt owe you a response. You got right in his face and asked him if he’s sleeping with another woman….what an insulting thing to say to someone. You need to get a life and a girlfriend and not worry so much about boehner
Banana
24 Sep 10 at 9:43 am
You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re a fool. I’m not a politician and I wouldn’t even answer your question if you thought the same of me. You’re a crazy left wing nut job who deserves the contempt of society. I would like to think that real journalists would be ridiculing you right now. You rank right up there with Kitty Kelly.
IndyLeee
24 Sep 10 at 10:49 am
So what was the final “left” vs “right” cheating score anyway? Did we win? If so can we please move on from who is sleeping with who and deal with the war, the other war, terrorism, immigration, jobs, the economy, education. Once we get those solved we can get back to the important business of being shocked by which anti-gay pastor is secretly gay and the very real possibility that Lindsay Lohan has NOT stopped doing drugs! (SHOCKING!)
Jarrod
24 Sep 10 at 12:50 pm
[...] Stark also has a recording of himself calling Lyons, who at first asks which publication he works for. (Answer: “Stark Reports, Huffington Post, Daily Kos.”) She responds, “No comment.” [Daily Kos, Stark Reports] [...]
Blogger Accuses John Boehner of Sleeping With a Lobbyist | NhnNews.com
24 Sep 10 at 1:35 pm
[...] it Really Bone-Her and Not Bay-Ner After All? From Stark Reports: While everyone knows that John Boehner enjoys the good life of luxury travel and golf junkets, [...]
Is it Really Bone-Her and Not Bay-Ner After All? « ENDAblog
24 Sep 10 at 3:02 pm
As much as I’d like to believe this is true, and as much as the GOP arrogance of “do as I say, not as I do” angers me, this accusation sounds as if it’d be more at home on Fox “News.”
I was educated/trained as a journalist and I really need to have more than simply “they didn’t deny it convincingly” to go on, Mike.
Please don’t let this just sit. If you do, your first and worst criticism will come from the experts in innuendo and outright lying – the Right Wing Media Noise Machine. Keep at this until you have something solid and irrefutable. And don’t do what Dan Rather did and rush the story to break before a critical election and miss obvious signs along the way. He was set up by an old pro, a Rove operative. It happens.
There’s another perspective as well. I know nothing of Mrs. Boehner. She may well be a good woman and a dutiful wife to her husband. If what you’ve dug up is an empty hole, you’ve likely made her life far more miserable than her idiot husband ever did.
Good luck.
patriotaxe
24 Sep 10 at 3:11 pm
Banana:
If I was married(which I am not) and someone came up to me and asked if I was cheating(and I wasn’t) I’d punch the guy in the face. You know, slander and all that. The lack of any reaction at all from Orange Julius tells you all you need to know. He was more outraged that people were telling the truth about how many times he went golfing.
Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle
24 Sep 10 at 5:05 pm
What a hack piece.. But what do you expect from a hack..
Hey Mike have you stopped pounding your meat??
Does you mom still provide you with fresh linens..
How long do the light bulbs last in your mom’s basement.
I don’t care whether some one is a republican or a democrat, anyone who would give any credence to such a questions, would just feed into your mental instability.
Why don’t you liberals try to run on your record of popular accomplishments? Tell us how something like the new health care law, that most American’s want repealed, is going to keep rates low. How about the great success of the stimulus keeping unemployment below 8%, or how Cap and Trade is going to help the economy, and allow people who are already unemployed keep there power bills low.
Most liberals journalist, if they were on fire, wouldn’t be worth peeing on to put out.
Stark epitomizes that statement.
…Again.. what a hack piece.
Riceball Ricky
24 Sep 10 at 5:06 pm
Come on folks, this is about hypocrisy. Infidelity is only news if the person involved is speechifying and legislating puritanical morality on the rest of us. That’s the issue with Boehner, Newt (affair simultaneously while impeaching Clinton for an affair!), Ensign, et al.
When the republicans give their phony moralizing a rest, then we can demand that Mike Stark stop asking these kinds of questions. But that’s not where we are right now.
wendell
24 Sep 10 at 5:13 pm
This is easy.Just look for the orange stain on the dress
djchefron
24 Sep 10 at 5:16 pm
No named sources, no facts, no major media coverage equals no journalistic ethics on your part.
But, the late Sen. Joseph McCarthy would be proud!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McCarthy
Jim in KC
24 Sep 10 at 5:20 pm
[...] according to Stark Reports, that very well may be what’s going on. It’s even said that the NYT is about to break [...]
Is “Junket John” Boehner Diddling a Lobbyist? | Reconstitution 2.0
24 Sep 10 at 10:08 pm
You publicity seeking cocksucker. We gonna getcha balls now that you’ve bellied up to the table and wanna be a player. We gonna getcha balls, you know, I mean figuratively. Let me clarify, this is just a figure of speech. Only an expression. We’re not actually going to cutcha balls off you cocksucker.
Davey D
24 Sep 10 at 10:49 pm
Mike, I attempted to show concern over the fact that you seemed to be going more on hunch or instinct than actual fact. All good journalists have a sixth sense and I was merely questioning whether yours was working properly. But now that I’ve read some of the comments you’ve received (“comments” is way too polite for some of the feces being thrown) I truly hope that you’re right – not only because Boehner is too partisan and too dirty to serve his country in Congress, but also because, a month from now, you’ll be able to re-read some of these “comments” and smile.
patriotaxe
25 Sep 10 at 12:20 am
You can bet your last nickel that most of these “outraged” whiners stop by Drudge at least 5 times a day.
Hypocrisy, thy name is Rushpubliscum.
Jolly Roger
25 Sep 10 at 1:59 am
No facts. Just rumors. Typical garbage.
Dave Richards
25 Sep 10 at 8:22 am
You need more research. Maybe Boner is a Mormon and allowed to have more than one wife….oh, wait…. she’s a mistress. Well, maybe Boner is a member of the royal family, and allowed to have a wife and a mistress. Ever think of that? Maybe Boner belongs to the Hypocrite Wing of the Republican Party, which allows him to be sanctimonious while fondling nubile breasts. Ever think of that? Or maybe Boner explained his needs to his wife, who gave him okay. Did you ask her? Or maybe Boner got a special blessing from Newt, allowing him to release pent-up frustration over Obama’s Socialist agenda. Ever think of that? Maybe Boner is priapic, and can’t control his pecker. Ever think of that? Maybe the female lobbyist roofied his drink and had her way with him. Ever think of that? Let’s give the guy the benefit of the doubt!
Wimsy
25 Sep 10 at 10:37 am
Keep up the good work Stark. Hopefully you’ll catch Bonehead with his pants down
JR
25 Sep 10 at 10:47 am
This is lame. Didn’t folks say they didn’t care about the Clinton’s shenanigans in the sack. What’s the difference? Stick with the policies, stay out of his bed. You look pathetic and thirsty reaching as far out as you are on this one.
Hypo Cris
26 Sep 10 at 2:03 pm
In “response” to widespread rumors Mike’s a serial pederast, he says: “Nope. No truth to that.”
Mike: Why should we just take you at your word; THAT’s supposed to somehow put these accusations to rest? Next I suppose you’ll be telling us exactly when you stopped beating your wife….Or have you?
alwyr
27 Sep 10 at 9:36 am
Mike: Your vaunted “sources” can’t be too reliable. How on earth could they (or YOU for that matter) miss the fact John Edwards’ mistress was delivering a baby while John is campaigning for POTUS? Just askin’
alwyr
27 Sep 10 at 9:46 am
pathetic. We need to save this country before it’s too late. We’re riding the fast rail to Socialism. Joblessness doubled since Bush left office…and it’s Bush’s fault. You Libs just continue to reach to new lows every day. When you can’t win on policy..make yourself look ridiculous. YUP…Liberalism is a mental disorder.
Judy
27 Sep 10 at 12:03 pm
Bob who wrote that Mr. Stark as a pedofile should look in the mirrow because it takes one to know one.
frankofrank
28 Sep 10 at 10:36 am
It’s the hypocracy, stupid(s). Great job again Mike. Please keep it going.
Brian
28 Sep 10 at 9:30 pm
Mikey, good work. Make it better. Dont stop until the orange colored man turn white
Seealaska
2 Nov 10 at 8:16 am
[...] that really matters, and principles that really matter, are being trampled on by cynical and morally bankrupt political operatives who have no real stake in the outcome. And the kicker is that the vast [...]
Pay Close Attention to the Man Behind The Curtain « The Key of Atheist
8 Dec 10 at 6:45 pm
They need to turn it over to the Enquirer. A New York newspapers had the goods on Edwards and would not expose it. Whether their plan was to wait to see if he won the primaries then spring it out one does not know cause the Enquirer exposed. I want all these jerks exposed be no matter their party. Your not going to sit there in your self righteous attitudes and then tell me how to live.
mark
21 Jan 11 at 8:54 am
[...] Republicans, Tea Party, Tea Party Express, Tea Party Nation, US politics When the John Boehner/Lisbeth Lyon AFFAIR story broke by Mike Stark, on his blog last September, we raised an eyebrow but treated it like a fluff piece [...]
John Boehner Infidelity with Lisbeth Lyon
3 Feb 11 at 10:29 am
Come on folks, this is about hypocrisy.
More importantly, it’s about a form of bribery on the part of outsourcers.
Davey D (Rand Paul 2010)- you one of the Tea Tea Macoutes that stomped on that girl at the Paul debate?
B^4
3 Feb 11 at 1:51 pm
Easy to identify the right in their nasty, foul-mouthed and hypocritical reactions to this story. If my memory serves me, it was the Right that was so vehement about Bill Clinton’s infidelity – not only was it fair game to broadcast it world-wide, but,the House wasted an unbelievable amount of valuable time accomplishing Clinton’s impeachment – while Newt was diddling around. To:”Seriously” If it matters when it’s a Democrat, it matters when it’s a Republican. Settle down Right, Boehner is just one of many in your party of the “right” (laughter).
Leanne
4 Feb 11 at 11:43 am
Keep up the good work we have to bring all these moral perfect people to all of the front pages. Boehner,newt, mccain, palin,mcconnell but as for mcconnell who would want to go to bed with him… good work mike.Mrs.Boehner if this true get the money and find a young men without the orange tan and spending all the taxpayer money on GOLF…
Geneva
9 Feb 11 at 4:05 pm
I’m a life long Republican. I believe in smaller gov’t, fiscal responsibility and a woman’s right to choose. I also believe that our elected leaders should live honest, respectful and faithful lives as examples to all us us. I am more and more disgusted by all politicians talking out of both sides of their mouths. Lately, I’ve been more and more unhappy with my Republican leadership in Congress. No longer do they want to, or try to, help us middle class Americans. No longer do they even try to hide their attempts to pass laws specifically to please their big corporation rich lobbyists at our expense. I was embarassed when they went after Clinton for an affair. Where did the party of Lincoln go, anyway? If Speaker Boehner has been unfaithful to his wife, and dishonest to his constituents, I side whole heartedly with all journalists to expose him… just like we Republicans supported exposing John Edwards’ affair. Live by the sword…
Rightee Reba
10 Feb 11 at 10:26 am
Are comments being blocked?
Rightee Reba
10 Feb 11 at 12:03 pm
The point here, is not wether the left has the moral authority to question Mr Boehner, it was Mr Boehner that asked one of his own party to resing over an affair. It is about the hipocresy of it all, both parties had problems but the republicans run their campaing as if they were all free of any pecadillos or whatever you choose to call it. lol
MAx
10 Feb 11 at 11:06 pm
The truth is that if the republicans were so hard pushing their morality upon everyone else it wouldn’t be so big. When I hear the name republicans I think of bigots, racism, wanna be moral preachers who wants you to do what they say not what they do.
Sure its not everyone but majority!
The_Right
12 Feb 11 at 3:25 pm
Yes the left can lecture the right on ifedilit after all it is the right that likes to wrap itself in rightous rhetoric from the religious types. It is the right that tries to claim some morale ground here.
Yep the list of Democrats caught with other women is LONG and it is sad BUT it is the Republicans who claim to be closest to God and in some way pure.
drc
18 Feb 11 at 8:40 am