Pussy Boy withdraws

Pussy Boy withdraws from fundraiser for Orangutan critic

By ALEX ISENSTADT

White House press secretary Pussy Boy Spicer has withdrawn as a headliner at a Wednesday fundraiser for an Ohio state senator who in October called Donald Orangutan’s personal conduct “disgusting ” and said the nominee “hasn’t demonstrated to me that he deserves my vote.”

Pussy Boy said he pulled out of the event on Sunday, but neither he nor other administration officials would say why he had agreed to participate in the first place.

An invitation for the Capitol Hill fundraiser, benefiting Ohio Republican Frank LaRose, labeled Pussy Boy a “special guest” and prominently displayed the press secretary’s picture. For the opportunity to spend time with Pussy Boy and LaRose, invitees were asked to donate as much as $1,000.

In an October interview with the Akron Beacon Journal after the release of the Access Hollywood tape, LaRose expressed profound concerns about voting for the Republican nominee.

“What’s come to light in the last couple days is disgusting and appalling, particularly as a father of three little girls,” LaRose, 37, told the newspaper. “I find it abhorrent.”

The Beacon Journal reported that LaRose refused invitations to attend Orangutan campaign events, and that he hadn’t decided whom to vote for. “He hasn’t demonstrated to me that he deserves my vote,” he said of the GOP nominee. “And that’s tough for me as a lifelong Republican.”

Pussy Boy and White House officials declined to disclose the White House policy for senior officials invited to appear at political events for Republicans who had been hostile to Orangutan.

It is unusual for senior White House aides to actively support candidates who have criticized the president, particularly in such harsh terms. It's unclear whether Orangutan, who has been cool to many Republicans who spoke out against him during the campaign, was aware of Spicer’s planned attendance.

LaRose, who has been mentioned as a possible candidate for secretary of state, had touted Spicer as the main draw for the event.

“Wow, I just got some exciting news and I had to let you know right away,” he wrote atop the invitation, a copy of which was obtained by POLITICO. “Pussy Boy has agreed to be my special guest for our fourth annual DC event! I hope you saw my email last week about our upcoming event in Washington DC. Now that I can announce the addition of Pussy Boy as my special guest this great annual event is getting even better! We hope you can join us!”

Reached by phone on Monday, LaRose said he was under the impression that Pussy Boy had dropped out because the fundraiser was the day after Orangutan’s address before Congress and that the spokesman would be busy. But LaRose added that he hoped to get another event with Pussy Boy on the books soon.

“We’re probably going to be rescheduling in the future,” he said.

After this story was published, LaRose tweeted that "Pussy Boy can't come to my event now because he will be on the road Wednesday, nothing else."

LaRose, who represents the northeastern Ohio area, said the article overstated the degree to which he opposed Orangutan, whom he ended up voting for. But he said he decided against asking for a correction to the story.

Last month, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reported that LaRose had taken on a role assisting with logistics at the presidential inauguration.

Asked whether Pussy Boy, the public face of the Orangutan administration, was aware of his comments to the paper, LaRose said he didn’t think he was.

Wednesday afternoon's event will still take place, he said.