Mass. GOP candidate Ogonowski criticizes Boehner for ‘small price’ comment on war

Massachusetts Republican congressional candidate and military veteran Jim Ogonowski called on House GOP Leader John Boehner (Ohio) on Tuesday to apologize for comments Ogonowski said “minimize” the sacrifice of servicemen and -women.

Appearing on CNN from Baghdad last week, Boehner told host Wolf Blitzer that “long term, the investment that we’re making today will be a small price if we’re able to stop al Qaeda here,” according to a transcript.

{mosads}Democrats, including Ogonowski’s opponent in the Oct. 16 special election, Niki Tsongas, have called on GOPers to denounce the party’s leader for the comments. Almost none have obliged, and the story didn’t have legs before Ogonowski’s letter.

Boehner’s staff insists their boss was referring to the monetary investment in Iraq and not the lives lost.

In the question that preceded Boehner’s comment, Blitzer asked him: “How much longer will U.S. taxpayers have to shell out $2 billion a week or $3 billion a week, as some now are suggesting the cost is going to endure? The loss in blood, the Americans who are killed every month — how much longer do you think this commitment, this military commitment is going to require?”

Ogonowski, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel whose brother died in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, said Boehner’s remark was wrong.

“No American life is a ‘small price to pay,’” Ogonowski said. “We should never minimize that sacrifice and [we should] remember that these are America’s sons and daughters.”

Boehner spokesman Kevin Smith emphasized that Boehner was in Iraq to thank the troops for their work.

“There isn’t a member of Congress who appreciates the sacrifices of our troops more than Mr. Boehner,” Smith said.
Ogonowski frequently has made the case to voters and the media that he stands alone in the race as an independent voice who will not do things based on partisan politics — an image he sought to bolster with the letter.

Tsongas, the widow of former Sen. Paul Tsongas (D-Mass.), issued the challenge to Ogonowski on Saturday.

Spokeswoman Katie Elbert said Tsongas commends “Ogonowski for heeding her call from last Saturday.” But she emphasized that Ogonowski attended candidate school at the National Republican Congressional Committee, casting doubt on his independence.

Ogonowski and Tsongas are battling for the seat of retired Rep. Marty Meehan (D-Mass.). A SurveyUSA poll conducted after the special primary showed Tsongas up 10 points, 51–41.

Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) last week told Time.com that Boehner “ought to retract” his comment but defended him, saying he misspoke.