Largesse

Boehner Funnels Cash to Tea Party

GOP’s House leader has doled out $250K to insurgents.

At least the potential next Speaker of the House is charitable: With an eye toward adding a loyal new wing to his Republican caucus, Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner has been sharing his fundraising largesse with 29 insurgent Tea Party candidates fighting for election in November. Boehner, who’s especially adept at garnering donations from Wall Street, drug manufacturers, and insurance companies, has given out more than $250,000 this year. Ironically, many Tea Party recipients are building their bids on a foundation of attacking special interest groups and portraying themselves as Washington outsiders. Boehner’s spokesman says he’s “doing everything possible to support all of our Republican candidates.”