Affecting a British accent and calling himself “Rich N. Lovenit,” 32BJ Political Director Matt O’Connor and a handful of others staked out Boehner’s visit to the Hartford Club, where he was headlining a $2,500-per-person fundraiser for Roraback, the Republican nominee for the open 5th Congressional District seat.
The demonstration was clearly meant to draw attention to the wealth of former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO and Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon, who was not in attendance. The protesters stuck to a Democratic talking point, alleging that Republican lawmakers are more inclined to vote in the interest of the very wealthy.
O’Connor, who mostly remained in a character reminiscent of Thurston Howell III of the 1970s sitcom “Gilligan’s Island,” was full of references to yachts, caviar, and eating the poor.
The group had set up across from the Hartford Club’s front entrance on Prospect Street, but moved onto a side street when they figured Boehner would try to enter the building through a side door.
“We’re just enjoying the opportunity to thank our good friend Mr. Boehner, but he seems to have given us the slip,” O’Connor said, as he carried a champagne glass and smoking pipe with a yacht captain’s hat atop his head.
O’Connor and Working Families Party organizer Lindsay Farrell paused for pictures with a fake, oversized champagne bottle before moving the demonstration back onto Prospect Street.
“All right my friends, my yacht is waiting, the champagne is chilled, and the caviar is . . . how do you take caviar?” he said before departing.
Asked about the protesters and the suggestion that he would vote in the interest of millionaires, Roraback dismissed the claim at the state Capitol.
“I’m going to vote in the interest of working men and women of the 5th District. They are the people whose interest I want to represent. I want to represent their interests by making sure there are more opportunities for gainful employment for good jobs. That’s all I’m interested in doing and that’s my focus,” Roraback said Tuesday afternoon.
