(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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You say anything against Bush on CNN and they delete it.
Strange...wanting an apology for an astute and correct observation from Sir Paul.
Very sad! Visitors from other countries should stick to the politics of their own country and in Sir Paul's case, stick to entertaining. It is what he has done best. He may have been given knighthood in the old world but over here in the colonies, he ain't squat.
I think Sir Paul said it like it is . The republicans can sit on it. They can take their drunken leader and pound sand where the sun don't shine
Boehner should worry more about controlling members of his own party calling the president a "raghead" than what foreigners have to say.
If anybody would know about lack of grace or respect and comments being offensive it sure as hell would be that hack Boehner and the Right -wing NUTS!
Well it's true, for the last eight years the last administratio tore this country clean up. And these are the end results due to iresponsibility.
Boehner said "I hope he'll apologize". Hardly sounds like a "demand" to me. CNN sensationalize much ? And, like most entertainers, Paul McCartney would do well to keep his political opinions to himself. Our former president is far more literate than Sir Paul will ever be.
Paul, you don't have to apologize to me. I agree with what you said.
Shut up Boner. All he did was tell the truth and you racist idiots can't stand it.
Amusing, Boehner is upset over McCartney's remark but never denied the truth of it.
The first lady, who was a librarian, certainly didn't help King George any with his speaking or command of our language...
As for Mr. Boehner, well what would one expect from an ORANGE colored Republican, who has done absolutely NOTHING for the good people in the great state of OHIO!
Boehner needs to go back to the tanning salon and get a life!!!
if it ain't "ol stone in your shoe" boehener. upset about what has turned out to be the truth. lets be honest ; all you had to do was watch the SNL skits. the president then bush was fodder of many jokes as w/ all presidents...... mr. tea party ......... so now can you repeat after me. DO YA'LL MISS ME YET? -– ALA-- GW BUSH. AND THE ANAWER IS HELL NO.question; what ties do the bushes , saudi arabi, marylin matlin, j, carville , [and their consulting firm] ............... dick cheney's [halliburton] , have to BP . don't worry good ol HUFF-POST will find out.
Jeez, Boehner. Go Cheney yourself.
I agree that an apology is in order. That was neither the time nr the place to make such a comment. It would be all over the European newspapers if an American entertainer made such a comment about one of their leaders in the presidential or prime minister's home. Shame on Sir Paul. His songs are not now, nor will they ever be on my IPod!
I have never respect the Beatles espcially John Lennon, Yoko and Paul. I find them repulsive people and do not understand why people find them a legend!!!!!!!
If John Boehner is defending GW Bush, then HE needs to be slapped!
You tell 'em Paul!!!!
Who is Boehner to speak?
Yea, there's definitely a time and a place, and this wasn't it. The very fact that Mrs. Bush is a librarian, took on the daunting task of teaching children to read from a very young age, and both of them doing so much to stem the growth of illiteracy in children makes his joke not only classless but tasteless as well. McCartney should stick to what he knows; music.
WHAT? You mean PM can't say the truth? It is what most of us think about GWB. I know the truth hurts! AWWW tooo bad...waaaa!
Actually, a few years ago Mrs Bush herself joked, "Marrying George must have been destiny, considering that I was a librarian and we still managed to meet each other."
WHAT? Who does he think he works for?
He's a artist not a politian trying to get votes!
Good for McCartney. When Bush was elected i thought Ms Bush would help education. One bright light. Instead the situation got worse and a lot of money wasted.
Boehner needs to take his cooked and baked self back to where he came from. Who really cares what McCartney said about Bush, it was the truth.