Corrupt Catholic Becomes Majority Leader

According to Catholics in the Public Square, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) has become the new House Majority Leader. David Schrader is optimistic about Rep. Boehner's election, claiming that his "voting record on issues important to serious Catholics is very good" (emphasis mine). I don't know much about Rep. Boehner's voting record yet, but there is something in Rep. Boehner's past that might give a few serious Catholics pause.

According to The New York Times and Bloomberg, Rep. Boehner was a little bit naughty back in 1995. While Congress was considering the elimination of a tobacco subsidy, Rep. Boehner was handing out campaign checks from none other than tobacco industry lobbyists! It isn't surprising to learn from The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, and others that Rep. Boehner isn't serious about cleaning up congressional corruption -- he even referred to a ban on private-paid travel as "childish." So I have to ask: Are there any serious Catholics out there who think that lying, bribery, scandal, and endless corruption are important?