Capitol Corridors: Latest Ohio news from Washington

In this presidential campaign where all rules seem outdated, conservative Republicans are airing a TV commercial that compares Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton with former President Richard Nixon, who was forced to resign in 1974 to avoid certain impeachment by the U.S. House and conviction by the Senate. Nothing can infuriate a Democrat more than to be compared with Nixon.

The commercial - from Future45, an anti-Clinton/pro-Trump super PAC backed by the Adelson and Ricketts families - uses old video of Nixon declaring he was “not a crook,” in 1973, which he later admitted was one of the most foolish things he ever said. Then the commercial dissolves into a series of unflattering photos of Clinton and concludes, “How can we elect someone” who is under FBI investigation?

The commercial particularly stings because as a young lawyer, Hillary Clinton was a staffer on the House Judiciary Committee which approved three articles of impeachment against Nixon for abuse of power and obstruction of justice. But the comparison is a bit strained because while the FBI said last week it is reviewing newly discovered e-mails linked to a top Clinton aide, there is no firm sign whether she is under investigation.

Ironically, while Bill Clinton was president of the United States, he frequently talked with Nixon about Russia and China, according to Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy in their book, “The President’s Club — Inside the world’s most exclusive fraternity.”

Boehner wins Japanese honor

Former House Speaker John Boehner, R-West Chester Twp., received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government for his contributions to Japanese-American relations.

The Japanese government especially recognizes Boehmer’s invitation to the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in April last year to speak at the Joint Meeting of the U.S. Congress, making him the first Japanese leader to speak at a Joint Meeting.

Boehner represented the 8th district in Ohio as member of the House for 25 years. Ohio has a strong economic relationship with Japan and Japanese companies employ thousands of Ohioans.

Cavaliers going to White House

President Barack Obama has invited the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers to the White House Thursday. Couldn’t come at a better time. Two days after the end of a divisive election.

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