Cincinnati Billboard Serves As Boehner Political Water Hazard

The Blue America Political Action Committee didn't follow traditional golfing etiquette and yell "Fore!!" But the Democratic-leaning interest group has crafted a political water hazard near the putting green of House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH).

Blue America has paid $80,000 to erect a billboard along I-75 in Cincinnati depicting a photo of Boehner teeing off on the links. The sign asks "When was the last time you golfed 119 times in one year?"

Boehner's district is located just north of Cincinnati. But he lives just minutes from the sign near I-75.

Golf is a big part of Boehner's persona. He golfs with a seven handicap. A glass cup just outside his Capitol office sports personalized tees that Boehner hands out to visitors. Even House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) collected a handful of them before she met with the Ohio Republican before a joint event earlier this year.

But Boehner's team argues the billboard hooks left, well off the political fairway.

"The assertion is false," said Boehner spokesman Cory Fritz. "Boehner held seven golf events last year, not 119. He did 119 events in the district and across the country to benefit conservative candidates."

Fritz says the attack "goes with the territory" with Boehner holding the mantle of one of the nation's leading Republican elected leaders.

Boehner isn't the only prominent politician facing criticism for golfing. President Obama has golfed more than 40 times since taking office. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele criticized the president for golfing amid the Gulf Coast oil spill.

"Until this problem is fixed, no more golf outings," admonished Steele.

If Republicans were to win the House after the November elections, the GOP views Boehner as the odds-on candidate to become Speaker of the House.