Jump to full article: USA Today, 2006-01-17
Author: Malia Rulon, Gannett News Service
Intro: Ohio Rep. John Boehner's race to succeed indicted Rep. Tom DeLay as House majority leader represents more than a bid for power: It's a comeback attempt from a seasoned congressman who says he has spent the last five years proving his worth.
Boehner (pronounced Bay-ner) is talking about his work as chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. He has been praised for helping to pass President Bush's landmark education reform proposal that mandates new testing at schools nationwide. . . .
In Washington, where he's known for smoking Barclay cigarettes, sporting a perpetual tan, his love of golf and for throwing the hottest summer fundraiser in town, Boehner has been criticized for handing out checks from a tobacco company PAC on the House floor in 1995.
He has since apologized for handing out the checks and now supports a requirement for lobbyists to report contact with lawmakers and for lawmakers to get permission before taking privately paid travel.
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