(CNN) - House Republican Leader John Boehner is known for regularly poking fun at reporters about their hairstyles. But at his weekly press conference on Thursday he couldn't contain himself.
As he launched into his regular refrain about the Democrats' budget, saying it "spends too much, it taxes too much, and it borrows too much", he stopped himself - trying to hold back laughter during his own opening comments.
He quickly singled out a young print reporter, telling him, "You really do need to do something with that hair of yours." As reporters laughed, he joked, "I couldn't wait any longer."
He went on to finish his opening comments, but before calling on the same reporter, he teased, "Get a brush, would ya?"
The reporter had good sense of humor about the crack from the Ohio Republican, and shot back, "I'll get a haircut if you pay for it."
When Boehner called on the next reporter, he referred to him as "the bald guy."
But Boehner didn't confine his critique to male members of the Capitol press corps. When a female reporter, wearing her long hair pulled back, prefaced her question by joking that she hoped her hair was ok, Boehner couldn't resist: "You mean what's wadded up in the back of your head?"
Some reporters chuckled, but others thought the GOP leader was being a little harsh.
Boehner continued his hair assessment, saying, "It looks so nice hanging down. It looks like you got up a little late and decided that, you know, I just wadded up the back. For those of you that don't know about me and ponytails, males get it - males get it just as bad as females."
He then apologized to the reporter, joking "you started it," and let her ask her question on the budget.
With Congress about to start a two week recess, Boehner blamed the long stretch of six straight weeks in Washington for his punchy mood and attempt to have some fun with reporters. "That's why I'm trying to be humorous today to my friend who needs a brush and a friend who needs some hair," Boehner said.
As reporters walked out of the press conference, one asked Boehner's press secretary what she put in the Republican leader's coffee this morning.
From CNN Politics
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His own hair looks like a comb-over...
The reporter should have fired back at him about his orange skin color. He's the only politican in Washington who keeps a tan like it's summertime all year round. He's such a BONEHEAD.
How can a guy whose name is so easily and humorously mispronounced have any credibility to critique hair?
Who is this guy to make fun of anybody's appearance.
Has he never had anyone tell him anything about his phony, orange tan?
It's always funny when stupid people make comments about other people's appearance. "Dude, they can change their hairdo's - can you stop being stupid?"
Wow, I've never seen that man smile much less crack a joke.
Like anyone needed any more reasons to know Boehner is a jerk. (said politely)
Says the senator with the plastic hair.
Boner ought to look in the mirror. Hs "coif" looks outrageous and fake. Is that what a $400 haircut looks like?
"I'm sorry, that's not a hair question..."
All in good fun eh John? Perhaps reporters should ask about the condition of his lungs or how bad all that tanning is for the skin. It's nice to know that there is someone "poking fun" at other people now that George Bush has slunk back to Texas and it had to be a Republican.
Just another Republican jerk who is still living in the past. The Republicans have just not learned. They continue to make fools of themselves every time they open there mouths.
That's about all this guy's got.
When was the last time Boehner looked in the mirror?
Buttner, I mean Boehner has some nerve!!! He looks like he's wearing a cheep hair piece.
These are some funny republicans... Boner here tans until is an oompalumpa, and he has a near fetish with hail.
Cantor...going to Brintney spears' concert, and that tale-tell lisp of his....
Boehner is being too hard on them.
Although I can't stand the man or his policies its nice to know he has a sense of humor.
When you can't score on policies why not try slap stick, huh? Someone probably told him his face looks like it's set in stone when he appears before the media. P.S. Their budget is a joke too.
London has gone Gaa-Gaa @ the G-20 for The Obamas!
Arrrrgh, this coming from a guy who spends all day in a tan machine!!!!
Just like Boneher, always cracking jokes.
Whether it's the GOP budget proposals, anti-union laws, health care, tax cuts for the rich only or whatever, he and the other rethugs always seem to offer nothing but a gag line.
Maybe they should start getting serious for a change, don't ya think?
Such comments are beneath the dignity of a US Member of Congress. Mr. Boehner should simply know better....and perform better. "The bald guy...???" Shame on him!
What is Boner..... I mean Boehner doing?? Talk about arrogance! And the GOP wonders why their approval ratings are so ...........LOW.
What a jerk. Who crowned him King of Hairstyles?
If Obama or Biden said it, this report would be saying how outgoing and free-wheeling they are. Interesting double standard.