AP and congressional offices John Boehner gets his first Air Force One ride with Obama

John Boehner and Barack Obama’s relationship reached new heights Friday.

The Republican House Speaker took his first trip with the president on Air Force One as the two headed to Charleston, South Carolina, to mourn the nine African-American men and women killed at their church last week.


Obama has never been known as much of a schmoozer, but in recent months he has treated fellow lawmakers from both parties to trips aboard Air Force One with him as a way of currying favor and engaging in discussions with a captive audience.

A White House official told POLITICO in February that since the Democratic losses in the 2014 midterm elections, the president himself has used the plane to facilitate tête-à-têtes with various legislators. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) among others, all flew with the president on his Boeing 747 in early 2015.

The change in Air Force One hangouts following the midterms provided a marked contrast to the middle of the Obama presidency; from September 2011 until February 2013 not a single Republican lawmaker joined the commander in chief aboard the plane, despite a litany of possible trips.

The president flew to Charleston Friday with a large group of lawmakers, including not only Boehner, but also Republican Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Reps. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and John Lewis (D-Ga.).

Boehner carried with him an envelope containing a first-flight certificate, given to passengers when they make their first trip with a president aboard his plane.

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