ABC Knocks 'Weeping' Boehner as 'Harshly Partisan,' Gushed Over Pelosi as 'Galvanized Steel With a Smile'
Good Morning America's Jon Karl on Tuesday derided the incoming Republican Speaker of the House as "harshly partisan." The ABC correspondent joked that John Boehner can look "like the weeper of the House." In contrast, then-GMA co-host Diane Sawyer in 2007 lauded Speaker Nancy Pelosi's ascension, praising, "But her fellow politicians say she's galvanized steel with a smile."
While Karl dismissed Boehner as a "weeper," Sawyer, on January 19, 2007, rhapsodized over Pelosi as a sweeper, glowingly recounting how the first female Speaker picked up garbage: "We're walking along with the camera, [Pelosi] looks at the carpet. It has lint on it, little scraps of paper. She can't stand it. She gets down and cleans the carpet so we could walk."
Sawyer described this fairly mundane act as something "no Speaker of the House has ever done in the entire history of the United States of America."
[See video contrast below. Audio can be found here.]
GMA, which hit Boehner as "harshly partisan," didn't use that phrase with the highly partisan Pelosi. The word came up once in January of 2007, but as a compliment.
On January 5 of that year, reporter Claire Shipman hyped, "You could actually feel the history of the moment, especially in an era of such partisan politics, when Nancy Pelosi received a standing ovation not just from the Democrats, but from Republicans too. She has barely started her job but her election is already having an impact on a lot of Americans."
A transcript of the January 4 segment, which aired at 7:04am EST, follows:
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: We're going to turn now to Capitol Hill. The new GOP majority formally takes control of the House of Representatives tomorrow and Republicans are painting a big target on one of President Obama's biggest and most controversial accomplishments. Jon Karl has that story. And, Jon, the Republicans say they're keeping their number one campaign promise.
JON KARL: That's right. They've already unveiled their first major piece of legislation, George. And here it is. Short and to the point. This would repeal the entire health care reform law, replace it with nothing and set the stage for the first battle of the new Congress. The vote is a clear sign of the new Republican Congress' determination to roll back the Obama agenda. An effort led by the man soon to become a household name, John Boehner.
JOHN BOEHNER: Nancy Pelosi.
KARL: Just four years ago, he handed the Speaker's gavel to Nancy Pelosi. He'll get it back tomorrow. Boehner is a man with many sides. He can be harshly partisan.
JOHN BOEHNER: Hell no you can't!
KARL: And, at times, looks like the weeper of the House.
BOEHNER: I spent my whole life, chasing the American dream.
KARL: He has worked with Democrats, joining Ted Kennedy, for example, in crafting the No Child Left Behind education bill. Boehner says he will use his first speech as Speaker of the House to talk about making tough choices to deal with the $14 trillion debt. And unlike the vast majority of his congressional colleagues, he says he has never once put an earmark in a bill for a pet project. Keeping a close eye on Boehner, a new crop of Republicans, many of them new to politics, who may want even deeper cuts to spending. People like Bobby Schilling, who, until yesterday, ran a pizzaria in Moline, Illinois.
REP-ELECT BOBBY SCHILLING (R-IL): We're here to fight. We need to go to get this thing back on track where it needs to be so that our kids and grand kids have the same opportunities that were afforded to us.
KARL: There will be 85 of those new freshman Republicans sworn in tomorrow. Now, George, every, single one of them supported Boehner for Speaker of the House. But this group has a willingness to challenge their leadership when they disagree. Robin?
— Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.
- Scott Whitlock's blog
- Login to post comments
Comments
"galvanized steel with a
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 12:55pm.
"galvanized steel with a smile"
They just mean that she's completely inflexible in her quest to compromise.
she's more like
Submitted by Iron Tigers Vet on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 1:17pm.
cold rolled steel... outdated, not resistant and short usage expectancy.
I work with steel in the automotive industry... Believe me when I say, she's nothing like "galvanized steel" would be.
... and the smile? Well, only plastic surgeon could love that smile.
Well, except for the rumor
Submitted by bkeyser on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 4:53pm.
Well, except for the rumor that her head has been repeatedly chemically coated in zinc. Notice how her face rarely moves, yet she she leaves a trail of rust when she walks?
And we're confused why?
Submitted by scottyusmc on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 12:55pm.
Of course they bash the incoming Republican Speaker after praising the Democratic Speaker. It's in their DNA to bash those who do not think like they do! It's not bias, it's their normal state of mind!!! Bias requires knowledge and intent; they are just ignorant tools of the DNC!
Class
Submitted by grammajane on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 1:00pm.
There is a huge difference between Boehner and pelosi. Mr. Boehner has class and will fight for what American's want. She, on the other hand, will fight for what radical libs want and take down the country while doing so
Hellooooo!
Submitted by Tugboat Phil on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 1:04pm.
Pelosi's facial muscles have absorbed so much Botox that she is physically incapable of changing her expression. She couldn't cry if you eviscerated her grandchild in front of her.
Couldn't or wouldn't? Too
Submitted by Hunter12 on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 1:18pm.
Couldn't or wouldn't? Too harsh?
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
As Speaker of the House
Submitted by phryingphish on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 1:05pm.
"She gets down and cleans the carpet so we could walk."
As Speaker of the House she made a very good maid.
Weeper?
Submitted by GeneralAl on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 1:07pm.
I thought the Liberals believed it was manly and sensitive to cry? Oh thats right, only when it applies to them! Just like the rule of law, election laws, ethics laws, tax laws, etc. They're only for Conservatives. As far as galvanized steel goes, Pelosi had a cheap Chinese coating that has peeled off. Now, like the tin man, she'd better avoid the rain!
"Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away"!
LOL general....
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 1:09pm.
we were writing at the same time.
Wait a minute!!
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 1:08pm.
I thought men crying was not only OK now, but an absolute PLUS! You know, it shows that they're comfortable with their emotions, and was part of redefining masculinity, as proposed by Ken Corbett, author of “Boyhood: Rethinking Masculinities.”
Maybe if Boehner showed up in a dress, they would be sympathetic.
This just proves that no matter how soft a Republican, he/she is always an ogre, and no matter how partisan a Democrat, he/she is always a conciliator.
PS Full disclosure: I think Boehner needs to work on turning off the water works.
More like galvanized
Submitted by cocodrie on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 1:14pm.
More like galvanized plastic with a grimmace.Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
Another Step Backward
Submitted by rammingspeed on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 1:17pm.
A disgusting-yet-gutsy and bald faced display of hypocrisy. At least he's honest. Again, let them speak so that others can learn what vile people they are. Meanwhile, leftist news institutions are sinking, because of their bizarre need to publicly discredit themselves.
Bets, anyone?
Submitted by Model850 on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 1:20pm.
Anyone care to bet if miss "galvanized steel with a smile" will be smiling as broadly as she is in the pic accompanying this article when she hands the gavel back?
Sit Down and Be Quiet
Submitted by miss911ninja on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 1:21pm.
Harshly partisan? These lefty "journalists" never cease to amaze me. I seem to recall a certain former community organizer ranting that people who who didn't agree with his healthcare agenda should "sit down and be quiet." But that was just fine with them.
and don't forget, they could
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 2:36pm.
and don't forget, they could come along, but they have to sit in the back seat!
YES! Thanks for reminding me
Submitted by miss911ninja on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 2:46pm.
YES! Thanks for reminding me about that. He made it abundantly clear that he wanted to put dissenters IN THEIR PLACE!
Man up, Battle, Don't Wimp Out
Submitted by esperanza4 on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 4:08pm.
He does need to man up, and stop crying so much.
Enough already. I get it, fantastic story - from nothing to Speaker. Fantastic.
Now, stop weeping at the drop of a hat. It's comical now.
Get the job done.
No 'Lindsay Graham' amnesty.
No Dream Act return.
Cut taxes, cut spending, cut waste, repeal Obamacare, and keep on the
tail of every tricky Obama Administration move made and to come.
Play that tape of Obama talking down JOhn McCain - I won the election.....and remember how he felt about bipartisanship a few months ago - he laughed at it. Mocked the GOP and the voters unhappy w/his shoved through policies. He talked down the conservatives and Tea Party and non-Democrats who dared question him.
GOP Lawmakers - get it right, don't waste your chance, and get the work done that is needed, and what was asked for in November
There is a perfect reason for this
Submitted by TheHistorian on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 4:15pm.
Sawyer described this fairly mundane act as something "no Speaker of the House has ever done in the entire history of the United States of America." Just another example of Pelosi cleaning up for the mal-performance of her union buddies.Dennis Prager
And just like galvanized steel...
Submitted by CobraMan on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 4:47pm.
"But her fellow politicians say she's galvanized steel with a smile."
And just like galvanized steel, she is being replaced with a more effective, less toxic, and far more aesthetically appealing alternative: Stainless Steel! Let's see you smile about THAT, Nancy!
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
A look at why: why cry?
Submitted by GG_NB on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 4:47pm.
Imagine being in that rat's nest and really seeing what is going on and being helpless to stop it. It seems like his crying is a mixture of stress and grief. Sometimes it's the people who are really emotional who can also be really strong when needed because they're intense -- so I hope he takes all that emotion and uses it to make a difference.
And IMHO, Nancy's "steel" is the face of fakeness. And I don't mean cosmetic stuff. ^_^
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~Ronald Reagan
Pelosi's last day: Break a hip, Nan!
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 5:13pm.
Just curious, does Boehner get her teeth, too?
Check this out.
SoL~
Submitted by GG_NB on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 5:49pm.
I was a little scared to click on that, but it was so darn funny-cute!
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~Ronald Reagan
Hey GG: what, do I have a bad reputation or something? ;)
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 6:03pm.
The others are great too!
And whats truly hilarious is all the soundbites they use are real.
SoL~
Submitted by GG_NB on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 6:23pm.
You are actually one of my very favorite people at NB.:)
But Pelosi...teeth...just didn't know what was going to happen. *_*
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~Ronald Reagan
it's not galvanized steel it's Botox
Submitted by TerryWest on Wed, 01/05/2011 - 3:23am.
Pelosi is not trusted by America with good reason, simply put she lies allot, seems appropriate that ABC finds this misinformation master and lying tool courageous.Boehner addresses the House
Submitted by GG_NB on Wed, 01/05/2011 - 3:28pm.
Okay, I admit it. Today when Pelosi did the opener in the House for Boehner and I saw him standing behind her biting his lip and getting his hankerchief out to dab away a few tears as he awaited his turn, I was worried. Maybe there really is such a thing as too much crying. Yeah, this was not the environment to start crying. This was going to be excruciatingly uncomfortable and lots of yucky fallout if he cried.
He started out his speech a little shaky, with a tremble in his voice. I found myself thinking: "don't cry, don't cry, don't cry" and also wondering if there is a medication for this kind of problem. ;) But he got stronger as he went along, clearly determined NOT to tear up, and after a few minutes, I could tell he was not going to let it happen. I think he had to work pretty hard at it.
BUT HE DIDN'T CRY!
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~Ronald Reagan
Good evening Georgia
Submitted by cocodrie on Wed, 01/05/2011 - 3:40pm.
I agree with you. But at least we got rid of that emotionless socialist with the plastic face.
John cares deeply about this country and lets his emotions show at times.
Have a blessed year.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
Hey, Coco~
Submitted by GG_NB on Wed, 01/05/2011 - 3:43pm.
I agree completely.
HAPPY 2011~~~
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~Ronald Reagan
I'm thinking Pill Lousy is more like
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Wed, 01/05/2011 - 3:51pm.
A Frozen Turd.