Former U.S. speaker stops in Lewiston

TRIBUNE

Former U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner was in Lewiston Thursday evening, relaxing at the Red Lion Hotel and getting ready to do a little fishing today.

Boehner, who resigned from the top congressional post last fall following a dispute with House conservatives, politely declined an interview request. He said he was just passing through town, on day 28 of a 42-day fundraising tour.

"I'm helping some of my friends (in Congress)," he said. "I've never been here before. It's a nice-looking area."

After his fishing trip, Boehner will head down to Boise, where he'll take part in a fundraising brunch Saturday for Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson.

Boehner represented Ohio's 8th Congressional District for 24 years, including nine years as Republican leader and the last five as speaker. He helped his party achieve its largest majority in the House since the Great Depression, but fell afoul of conservatives - including Idaho Congressman Raul Labrador - who felt he wasn't taking a hard enough stance in negotiations with President Barack Obama and that he abused the power of his office.