(CNN) – House Minority Leader John Boehner is demanding an apology from music legend Paul McCartney after the Beatle took a slap at President Bush during a recent White House ceremony.
President Obama on Wednesday awarded McCartney the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song – a lifetime achievement award given by the Library of Congress. Upon receiving the award, McCartney deadpanned, "After the last eight years, it's great to have a president who knows what a library is."
The comments generated laughter and cheers from the audience in the East Room, but Boehner said the remark showed a "lack of grace and respect."
"Like millions of other Americans, I have always had a good impression of Paul McCartney and thought of him as a classy guy, but I was surprised and disappointed by the lack of grace and respect he displayed at the White House," the Ohio Republican said in a statement provided to CNN. "I hope he'll apologize to the American people for his conduct which demeaned him, the White House and President Obama."
Boehner spokesman Kevin Smith added the comments were "particularly offensive" because "the [former] president and first lady (who is actually a librarian) did so much for literacy."
McCartney's comments came at the end of the ceremony and Obama did not reference them.
Presenting the award, Obama said it was given "on behalf of a grateful nation, grateful that a young Englishman shared his dreams with us."
From CNN Politics
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Boehner says nothing when President Obama is disrespected by his republican colleagues over and over again. John Boehner is a joke and so was Bush!
If the shoe fits wear it, GOP. McCartney doesn't owe anyone an apology. Bush owes America an apology for taking a job he was too stupid to do and the GOP leadership (this means you Boehner) owes us all an apology for enabling him for 8 years.
Hey Bonner! We want an apology for what YOU and your REPUBLICAN idiots did to this country for 8 years.
Mr. McCartney has nothing to apologize for. he was, after all being honest and observant. Something you will never be accused of.
Boehner said: "Like millions of other Americans, I have always had a good impression of Paul McCartney and thought of him as a classy guy..."
Yep, and now I think he's got EVEN MORE class.
Forget about it, Oompah-Loompah. He has the right to say what he want–you know, like you whack jobs in the republican party have to call Obama a "raghead."
This Obama lover agrees with Boerner. Laura Bush isn particilar did a great job raising illiteracy awareness. Cheap shot, Paul. If you want to rip on Bush, a better target would have been his obscene remarks the other day on water boarding.
Funny, Boner doesnt seem to have a problem with the lack of "grace and respect" from some of his fellow repubs that often slander our current President. Typical repub hypocrisy.
Guess it's time to burn more Beatles albums!
Honestly, Boehner, he's right. Bush didn't know a diving board from a water board, and you know it. He also had a lot of trouble with 'right and wrong'.
John Boehner needs to go out and get a little sun and lighten up. We have a lot of other problems going on that needs work. Stop be part of the problem Johnny.
he doesn't owe you or me anything,he has a right to say what ever he wants.besides it is true and you know it.i didn't vote for the idiot from texas and told my friends who did they would rue the day and they did.the problem with the gop is they don't realize what a laughing stock we were under that idiot.
Sir McCartney's comment was somewhat blunt and uncouth. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that he's correct.
This White House continually encourages bad behavior by both participating itself and allowing others to behave so under its roof. Have to wonder when it will end. I would expect better.
This sour fellow has spent too much time in a tanning booth.
Never thought I'd see the day, and I have absolutely no use for Shrub, but I have to agree with Boehner. Sir Paul's comment was totally uncalled for.
A guy who fought as hard as he could to keep allowing health insurers to rape Americans owes all of us an apology. Paul McCartney is entitled to his opinion.
Boehner is an idiot. The Party of No has been taking direct swipes and doesn't give an, "Apology!" Paul was being funny and the situation wasn't political. Republican hypocracy.
Get over yourselves! The entire world laughed at Dubya for 8 years for his butchering of the English language! It was a J O K E! Trying laughing...it's good for the soul!
Boehner, you owe an apology to your face for turning it into a catchers mitt, sun boy. Shut up and find a real issue to hate about
John Boner concerned about the "lack of grace and respect;" boy that's a laugh! John Boner has done as much to destroy civility in America as just about anybody. Taking "grace and respect" lessons from Boner is like Larry King hosting a marriage siminar.
Hey Boner boy! What did you have to say when members of your own caucus were shouting "you lie" and "baby killer." That sure was gracious and respectfull.
who cares about McCartney.....
his generation can't leave this earth soon enough....
Boehner would be better served demanding an apology from his tanning salon for that scorching case of melanoma that will someday take him out.
Why should McCartney have to apologize for speaking his mind? How about Tim McGraw apologizing for his anti-Democrat remarks? How about Bruce Willis apologizing for his remarks against the Democrats?
Is Boner going to ask Cheney to give a formal apology for cursing Senator Leahy in Congress? Boners worthless, hypocritical, artificial "outrage" is beneath contempt. It would not deserve a response if his pathetic views were not being pandered to by CNN.
I'm sure John Lennon would've said something far worse and accurate.
The Reps didn't even formally apologize for the "you lie!" outburst, yet they want an apology for a tiny slip up from a British singer?
Get real.