Boehner returns from golfing, says Republicans can win on offshore drilling 1

Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) today vowed that the Republican sit-in over offshore drilling will continue at least until the Democratic National Convention begins on August 25.

At a press conference on the Hill, Boehner said he expected the protest would help House Republicans gain traction as they push for offshore areas to be opened to oil exploration. "We're going to win this fight," he said. "The only question is when."

But until today, Boehner hadn't actually been at the sit-in this week. He was home in Ohio for most of the week, golfing and fundraising for his political action committee, the Freedom Project, which steers money to Republican candidates. Several oil executives have contributed to his PAC this cycle. Asked at today's press conference whether there were any oil industry executives on hand at his fundraisers this week, Boehner responded, "Not that I know of."

Boehner was also asked if he was concerned about freshman Rep. David Davis' loss in Tennessee yesterday, where it's assumed he was beaten in large part because his opponent linked him to Big Oil. The minority leader said he wasn't concerned that the loss was the result of the oil issue.

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