Speaker of the House John Boehner is coming to town, and even his recent archenemy Rep. Peter King is welcoming him.
Back in January, King — upset that a Superstorm Sandy relief bill was stalled — blasted Boehner and his colleagues in Congress.
But now King has had an about-face and forgiven the speaker. That’s because, as King admitted to me, “Boehner and I had it out for about six hours.”
On Jan. 2, King — himself a Republican — said: “These Republicans have no problem finding New York when they’re out raising millions of dollars. They’re in New York all the time filling their pockets with money from New Yorkers.
“I’m saying right now, anyone from New York or New Jersey who contributes one penny to Congressional Republicans is out of their minds. Because what they did last night was put a knife in the back of New Yorkers and New Jerseyans. It was an absolute disgrace.”
Now, Boehner, who is mocked for his orange glow and his propensity for tears, is having a fund-raiser Monday in Midtown. The event is hosted by former Gov. George Pataki and New York state GOP chairman Ed Cox. John Catsimatidis, John Whitehead, and Wilbur Ross are on the host committee. King won’t be there, as he has votes to attend in Washington, DC, that day (he points out that the speaker does not have to be present to vote). But there are no more hard feelings.
“As far as I’m concerned, John and I have gotten along great before that day and after,” King told me. “That day at 2 p.m., he agreed to allow the vote, and it was over.”