Republicans are doing anything they can to turn the IRS into a real scandal, including Speaker John Boehner calling for the IRS to be sent to prison.
Video of Boehner looking oranger and sounding goofier than ever:
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Boehner said, “The IRS admitted to targeting conservatives, even if the White House continues to be stuck on the word ‘if.’ My question isn’t about who is going to resign. My question is who’s going to jail over this scandal?”
I can answer that one for Speaker Boehner. No one will go to jail, because no crime has been committed. Once again, this supposed scandal is about tax exempt status. The IRS did not shut down any conservative groups. They simply required more paperwork. Here’s the big shocker. The conservative groups received their tax exempt status anyway. Contrary to what Boehner seems to believe, you can’t send people to jail if they haven’t committed a crime.
With their Benghazi scandal in tatters, Republicans are going to try to turn this IRS mess into something more than it really is.
They are already off on the wrong foot, by sending Boehner out in front of the cameras to make such an absurd statement. This supposed scandal is all about Republicans not wanting the IRS or any other governmental agency getting near their shady billionaire campaign slush funds. Republicans are attacking the IRS because they are afraid that any examination of tax exempt status will open the door to limiting Citizens United.
Republicans are whipping up all of their media patsies including USA Today, who conveniently limited the scope of their story to 2010. They ignored the fact that liberal groups were also targeted in 2011 and 2012, but why let facts get in the way of pushing Republican talking points? First, ABC News has their Benghazi exclusive days before a House Bengazi hearing, and now USA Today reports progressives were given preferential treatment days before a House IRS hearing. It is becoming obvious that Republicans are planting stories in the media in an attempt to further their scandals.
If Republicans want America to buy the bogus scandals that they are selling, they would be wise to tone down the rhetoric. Boehner just helped to push this “scandal” off the cliff, with his completely over the top statement. Republicans are looking for anything to exploit in order to get Obama, but most people didn’t pay attention to Benghazi, and I suspect they aren’t going to bite on the IRS either.
Republicans are the boys who cried Obama scandal one too many times, so please pardon the majority of the country if we don’t believe you anymore.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
