(CNN) - For all the stalemate in the fiscal cliff negotiations, there were some heated moments, too.
A Democratic source familiar with one particular exchange told CNN that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell were sitting on a sofa in the White House.
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House Speaker John Boehner breezed in and his first words to Reid were "Go f*** yourself."
Boehner's comment came after Reid took to the Senate floor on Thursday and characterized the House speaker's handling of his chamber as a "dictatorship."
Reid responded to Boehner's confrontational tone by laughing, the Democratic source said, though a GOP source who was there said he didn't think Reid was all that happy.
"The exchange continued, and it didn't get any better for Reid," the GOP source said.
Boehner's office had no comment on the exchange when asked about it Wednesday.
Both men described the moment to members of their caucus.
The exchange happened at the White House on Friday - the day the four Capitol Hill leaders, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi - met with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.
On Wednesday, after news of the comment emerged, Reid said on the Senate floor that "unlike others behind us in this Capitol, I'm not going to stoop to name calling. I just want people to work and do what they need to do." Politico first reported Boehner's comment.
Hours after the meeting on Friday, he described it as "constructive."
"There was not a lot of hilarity in the meeting, everyone knows how important it is," Reid said. "It was a very serious meeting and it took an extended period of time."
- CNN's Dana Bash and Gregory Wallace contributed to this report
Boehner is a simpering puppet mouth piece owned entirely by his wealthy right-wing backers. Who ever thinks that this isn't a class war is dead wrong. He, McConnell and Cantor have one goal. Pillage the people in the name of the elite. When will the republican voters wise up, if you earn less than $500 from they are against you.
Boehner is not a dictator. He is just venting his frustration to Reid because he fears his days may be numbered. I almost feel sorry for the poor (sorry, rich) shmuck.
John is a piece of excrement in a silk stocking.
JB... Keeping it classy. As classy as he can get, no doubt...
Maybe the Republicans will replace Bonehead with Cantor. This will only speed up the death of the Republican party.
An imcompetent bufoon! Were you talking about the Queen Nancy Pelosi? Boehner has to deal with the hand he's dealt. America asks that you bring us your tired and your poor, but there are consequences to that philosophy. We have to adapt to change that comes as a result of our world outreach. As Americans we are standing on the shoulders of giants. I wonder if the courageous and dynamic leaders who drafted our Constitution would be proud to advocate for present-day Americans?
Congress has been sitting with their thumbs up their rears all along and Boehner should be made an example of with his "child like" characteristics regardless of "the pressure" – if he can't deal with it then perhaps a career in door-to-door sales in vacuum cleaners is the ticket. I work in healthcare – if that were me making that comment, It would result in disciplinary action. This should apply here. Boehner should "man-up" and take accountability for HIS actions – Why should HE be "the exception". People need set terms in government – people have been in politics far too long. Time to bring in new ideals with those who are willing to work harder for less and achieve perhaps even more than the "old timers" visualize.
Seriously, why is nobody upset with are Reid? He continuously insults his opposition yet nobody talks about that. I think Bohner gave him the appropriate response.
I can't think of a more appropriate thing for Harry Reid to do. It would be consistent with his self interest approach to government!
Sounds to me like Boehner needs to go on vacation, or take time off, talking ugly to Reid, refusing Christie's calls, and I blame Boehner for the longevity of the fiscal cliff situation because to me, Boehner was stalling it and messing it up, and delaying it and just being a general nuisance, he was also disobeying orders to leave SS recipitents alone as we have a hard time as is, he wanted to deny us a rightful COLA, but the whole country gets COLA, in the form of raises, also you never hear SS reciepitents getting a tax refund, or a vacation bonus, xmas bonus, all we get is a hard time. So in my opinion Boehner is the one who needs to go f*** his self.
prior to getting the speakership and after geting that job Boehner has repeatedly said Obama could not lead LOL just look at t
People still care about profanity behind closed doors these days? Boehner and Reid don't like each other, nor do they make any attempt to pretend to like each other. Why is this news?
Boehner is a bafoon for years he has said "Obama has failed to lead" it just goes to show you.. if your not a leader dont judge the leadership of others ... back bencher after the fact leadership is the forte of the GOP and Boehner
It really is incredible that for a long, long time there has been only negative news coming from the GOP, it never seems to stop, day after day. The Republican party is beyond repair, beyond ridiculous. One big circus without a director, and the only ones running around are the clowns. It is time that in 2014 we send them packing to finally get some business done. The Mayan calendar was probably referring to the GOP, the beginning of the end in 2012.
had reid said that to boehner, i am sure he would have broken down and cried ...........again. that man is unfit to be a leader.
Sad commentary on the leader of this GOP. Boehner is a bully, out of touch with the Nation, bigot, and incompetent. He's lined his pockets long enough. Time for this wimpering pile of cry-baby to walk away.
@greenaxe
Either this guy is crying, boozing or being useless as always. What about his golf game ?
Just be grateful we don't have Eric Cantor as House Speaker , who knows what hobby's that weirdoe has .
Bonehead Boehner needs to be fired along with all the other ignorant dummies in Washington. I am totally imbarrassed by their actions or lack of there of. Then they leave without helping the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Such selfish and uncaring people really make me sick and ashamed to admit these are the people running America!!! They are a total disgrace.
Boehner is a disgrace but as someone pointed out, Eric Cantor is alot worse. Boehner is just out now to save his job as speaker. Once again, the Senate has shown itself to be a competant and mature legislative body. Boehner and Cantors House has again proven to be a pathetic, immature, low brow, incompetent and impotent legislative force.
Good for Boehner. Reid is an obnoxious, pandering, unfit leader of the Senate. He was out of line and deserved to be rebuked.
REID is INCOMPETENT! Why are you liberals yelling and screaming that Reid has not passed a budget in 4 years????? Hypocrites!
Impossible...Harry is too busy phucking the tax paying American citizen. Reid and Obama are nothing more that a couple of cretins that have continually broken law after law with regard to the legislative and executive branches of what use to be a government, can't or wont even produce a budget... but can continually produce another trillion in debt...pathetic. Anxiously awaiting for the revolution to begin!
The one who is unfit to lead is Mr. Reid. The Fiscal Cliff bill was one of the actual first realistic work this man has done in 4 years, he is the puppet of the President. No budget from Reid in 4 years. Boehner has done his job over a 4 year period, passed many bills that the egotistical Reid won't even acknowledge, because the President wouldn't approve. Boehner would not present Reid's Sandy bill, for it was full of Democratic pork. Democrats state they care about the people affected by Sandy and yet use it as a gift to lobbiest.
Next Boehner and Reid stage a 21st century dual with Cantor and Pelosi as 2nds enjoying the latest hi-tech hardware while Anderson and Griffin simulate narration.
I would have laughed at him too. Emotional weakling.
After the followup whooping from Gov.Christie, I almost feel sorry for Boehner.