Some days we have to wonder whether Barbara Boxer remembers that fundamental lesson we all were taught growing up: actions speak louder than words.
Barbara Boxer has now twice asked President Obama to come out to California to help resuscitate her failing political career. Hint number one she knows she’s in huge trouble. But yesterday, we learned that President Obama skipped out on a May 25 memorial service in Jackson, Mississippi held in honor of the workers who died in the Deepwater Horizon explosion in favor of flying to San Francisco to host the second multimillion-dollar fundraiser for Boxer in as many months.
Seriously? Calling in an S.O.S. for your own disastrous political career despite the real economic, environmental and human disaster happening in the Gulf? That’s hint number two, and then some.
President Obama Skipped Memorial Service To Fundraise For Barbara Boxer. “According his official schedule, President Obama did not attend the May 25 memorial service in Jackson, Mississippi for the workers who died in the Deepwater Horizon explosion because he was en route to a fundraiser for Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California, in San Francisco.” (Abby Livingston, “President attended fundraiser during Gulf memorial service,” CNN Political Ticker, 6/11/10)
What’s even more stunning is the fact that, just days before, Barbara Boxer was claiming that stopping the spill was her “top priority.” She really meant that – except, of course, when there’s an opportunity to pad her campaign war chest. But other than that, “top priority” for sure.
Senator Boxer Admits Her Committee Is “Responsible For A Number Of Areas Directly Related To The Oil Spill…” “Sen. Boxer: This committee has an important role to play. It is responsible for a number of areas directly related to the oil spill, including the oil pollution act, environmental aspects of outer continental shelf lands, air and water pollution, fisheries and wildlife, and regional economic development through the EDA.” (“Panel I Of A Hearing Of The Senate Environment And Public Works Committee Subject: Gulf Of Mexico Oil Spill’s Environmental Impacts,” 5/11/10)
Watch it here (20:45 mark)Senator Boxer: “We Are All United In Our Top Priority: Stopping The Spill…” “Sen. Boxer: ‘We are all united in our top priority: stopping the spill, cleaning up the oil, and protecting the threatened economic and natural resources of the region.’” (“Panel I Of A Hearing Of The Senate Environment And Public Works Committee Subject: Gulf Of Mexico Oil Spill’s Environmental Impacts,” 5/11/10)
Clearly, Barbara Boxer is more concerned with extending one disaster – her 34-year political career – than she is with stopping the economic, environmental and human tragedy happening in the Gulf.