(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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I would think that the GOP would have bigger issues to worry about then people's hairstyles. You know.. things like getting their party back to being relevant, offering up some sort of "better" alternative to everything they shoot down from Obama.. things like that.
I guess making fun of hairstyles is just easier.. pathetic. Keep ostercizing people GOP.. it's definitely the best path to recovery.
Hey, give the guy a break. He's got a weird sense of humor. That's obvious from some other things he says.
This guy is HILARIOUS!!!! I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes!!!!
Oh. Wait. We're supposed to be laughing wiith him, not at him, right?
Nevermind.
Says it all, doesn't it. Constant "no, no, no" with no alternative plan except the tired policies that got us into this mess. Who in the heck cares about the reporter's hair when millions are out of jobs, 401k's are in the tank et al. Very much in character for this cretin.
Coming from the guy with a receeding-combover? What a jerk.
Just amazing. Now that Republican Boehner and his party are in the minority they seem to be obsessed with fiscal responsibility. Where were they when Bush was in office?
He can be summed up in a single word. Moron. Or as many would say, Boner.
Why would he risk making those wisecracks when his hair looks JUST LIKE Adolf Hitler's????
Is this part of the Republican ideology? Making fun of people based on their hair? What an idiot. Vote this guy out if this is all he can focus on during an interview with the press.
Republicans have alsways been obsessed with people's beliefs, hair, etc. What matters most to them is the fact that you have to be just like them and believe just like them or you are labeled UN-PATRIOTIC. And Republicans wonder where the've gone wrong.....nobody perfect enough to vote for em!
nice toupee, John.
John Boehners wife and children are all lobbyists. I'm sure their hair is terrific
Shut up Mr. Spraytan and do your job. 1st grade was 45 years ago.
I think it's time for the American politicans and the media to grow up. Most of you sound like second graders on the play ground arguing over stupid stuff. GROW UP. ACT LIKE ADULTS OR GET ANOTHER JOB.
WHAT HAIR? You mean that glued down, sprayed down RUG on George Hamilton's head?
What irks me is WHY is this GROWN MAN always ORANGE??? Who told this fool that orange was in? They LIED big time.
That's what I want to know..... Boehner needs to stay away from the tanning beds, it's doing more damage than good.
Boehner needs to get a life...
Vanity is clearly what drives this man. Are his insults simply an attempt to distract from his own orange skin and over-sprayed hair?
wow.........the gop just love the place their sitting in......non-existence......i mean how much of an idiot can you be.....oh wait that new budget they introduced was quite a laugh.....oh those gop=goof on parade
Instead of a picture of a worthless politician, they should have had a picture of the reporters that he made fun of. As it is, just a jerk, trying to make a joke, Sad.
I think there is something mental about this guy.....a little like Bush!!
In truth, John was still laughing about the April fool's joke that was yesterday's GOP Budget proposal.
This guy clearly hasn't advanced past the mental maturity of second grade.
While it's nice to have sense of humour, his remarks sound more like a planned "aren't I funny" ploy than genuine humour! Is hair all the man can joke about??
Wow, look at all these democrat comments ripping Boehner's appearance just because they disagree with his politics. Liberals are so open-minded if you are a terrorist or convicted murderer. Not so forgiving if you happen to be an American soldier or republican politician.
What do you expect from the guy who blatanlty lied about the cap-and-trade energy/pollution program costing each American household $3,000? The scientists at MIT even wrote him a letter explaining that he was a liar and that their study indicated something like $340 per household, not $3,000. Typical GOP.