John Boehner, the controversial Speaker of the House of Representatives, let off some steam at McP’s Irish Pub on Sunday, while listening to Ron’s Garage on the outdoor patio. Seen here, from left to right, are Crystal Cox, Ron Wheeler (of Ron’s Garage), Gary Taylor (drummer), John Boehner, Lisa Tresner, Phil Lean (bass player), Claudio Martin (lead guitar), Traci Wharry. Photos courtesy of Ron Wheeler and Lisa Tresner.
“On the seventh day he rested,” says the Bible. And so it was for the United States Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner. Last Sunday Boehner plopped down on the patio of Coronado’s McP’s Irish Pub to enjoy a full afternoon of libation and Rock n’ Roll, much to the surprise of staff and guests.
Boehner was in town to support Republican Congressional candidate Carl DeMaio a few days before as part of a West Coast effort to bring out more Republican voters in November’s election.
On Sunday none of that mattered to the Speaker of the House, as he and a small entourage of Secret Service visited McP’s Irish Pub for an afternoon concert by McP’s house band, Ron’s Garage.
Coronado local, Lisa Tresner, welcoming the Speaker of the House to Coronado to McP’s Irish Pub.
Boehner was dressed casually – in shorts, T-shirt, baseball hat and tennis shoes. Coronado local Lisa Tresner recognized Boehner and approached him to say hello.
“What a really nice guy,” said Tresner. “He was having a lot of fun and was extremely accommodating. I just walked up and held out my hand. I told him I was a huge fan and a constitutional conservative, and how difficult I thought his job must be. He thanked me and we talked about presidents, the SEAL Team and a variety of topics.”
McP’s has long been a popular hangout for off duty members of the SEAL Team. The owner and founder of McP’s is Greg McPartlin, a former US Navy SEAL.
Celebrities often visit McP’s. Prince Harry dined here in October 2011.
Apparently Boehner had visited McP’s the night before for dinner while staying at a condo at the Coronado Shores. During both visits to McP’s he was approached by members of the Navy SEAL Team who wished him well. In return he gave them commemorative Presidential coins used for special occasions and for special people.
“He was a really great guy,” said Tresner, who was formerly married to a Navy SEAL. Everyone wanted their picture taken with him and he was extremely accommodating. He was just this casual, unpretentious guy hanging out on the patio of McP’s and listening to rock and roll.”
According to Ron Wheeler of Ron’s Garage, the Speaker of the House came in about 3 p.m. while the band was setting up. “He stayed until the end of the last song,” said Wheeler. The band played from 4-7 p.m.
Ron’s Garage Band, seen here with John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives. From left are Ron Wheeler, Gary Taylor (drummer), John Boehner and Phil Lean (bass player).
During the last song, “Whole Lotta Love,” by Led Zeppelin, Tresner and her girlfriends all stood up to dance. “It looked like Mr. Boehner was going to dance with us,” said Tresner. “He stood up and started to dance a little bit, but as people started shooting video he and the Secret Service made their escape.”
During the bands break Boehner posed with members of Ron’s Garage. “He seemed like a very nice guy,” said Wheeler. “I was busy playing music, so I didn’t get a chance to interact with him too much, but he appeared to enjoy a couple of Corona beers, and later switched to red wine.
From left: Crystal Cox, Ron Wheeler (of Ron’s Garage), Gary Taylor (drummer), John Boehner, Lisa Tresner, Phil Lean (bass player), Claudio Martin (lead guitar), Traci Wharry.
“He stayed until we played our last song,” said Wheeler. “At that point the cameras came out and I think the Secret Service just didn’t want their pictures taken. They drove off in a small fleet of white Yukon SUVs like a scene from a Steven Seagal movie.”
Celebrities often visit McP’s, whether they be movie stars, famous athletes, war heroes or, as was the case a few years ago, Royalty. Prince Harry dined at McP’s in 2011 while in the area conducting military training exercises.
This article was produced by Joe Ditler and Part-Time PR, serving all of Coronado’s public relations needs. To find out how your business or product can obtain a larger audience, write or call [email protected] or (619) 435-0767.
