When faced with irrefutable evidence of boorish behavior by his candidate, David Axelrod claims that Barack Obama was sparing Hillary's feelings by turning his back on her. Here are his words on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program:
AXELROD: No, I don't think he snubbed her at all. First of all, they acknowledged each other as they entered the chamber. But I think he knew that Senator Kennedy and Senator Clinton were friends. This was obviously an awkward day from that standpoint, and I don't think he wanted to stand there while Senator Kennedy was greeting Senator Clinton. And I think that was an appropriate sentiment. Unfortunately, the camera caught it in a different way, and so it got interpreted that way. And that's the kind of environment we're in right now. It's a very competitive race, so every little thing is going to be interpreted in that way. But it was really a matter of letting Senator Kennedy have his own conversation, his own greeting with Senator Clinton without him hovering over them. |
Anybody believe this? Come on, let's discuss this astonishing claim by the Obama campaign. Here is the transcript of MSNBC's show from the Chicago Tribune blog, in which Axelrod say's it's a single out-of-context moment caught by the cameras, and not at all what it looks like.
SCARBOROUGH: Now, there's a picture that we're seeing, that we saw across the wires from last night's State of the Union address. ... Where it appears that Barack Obama turns his back on Hillary Clinton, snubs her, and people on the floor said that it was – appeared to be intentional, that he didn't want to be around, didn't want to shake her hand when Ted Kennedy was there. Can you comment on that picture?
AXELROD: No, I don't think he snubbed her at all. First of all, they acknowledged each other as they entered the chamber. But I think he knew that Senator Kennedy and Senator Clinton were friends. This was obviously an awkward day from that standpoint, and I don't think he wanted to stand there while Senator Kennedy was greeting Senator Clinton. And I think that was an appropriate sentiment. Unfortunately, the camera caught it in a different way, and so it got interpreted that way. And that's the kind of environment we're in right now. It's a very competitive race, so every little thing is going to be interpreted in that way. But it was really a matter of letting Senator Kennedy have his own conversation, his own greeting with Senator Clinton without him hovering over them.
BRZEZINSKI: I guess. I mean, I guess the Clinton campaign may see it as a snub. We've been getting a few e-mails.
SCARBOROUGH: You're right. And then it was also interesting afterwards, David --
AXELROD: in this environment, every single thing can be – can be inflated and interpreted and will in a political – in a hyper-political light. But it is what I suggested. I think it's understandable that he would not want to stand there with Senator Kennedy as if he were lording it over her. You know, I understand that. |
Poor Barack. The camera catches a certain moment, and people are misinterpreting it. That's what David Axelrod says.
Ben Smith has the astonishing claim by Axelrod, as well.
Look, I support Hillary Clinton, but enough is enough. You didn't see me out here defending Robert Johnson's truthfulness when he tried that "I was referring to his community activism" dodge, but Axelrod is trying a similar stretch by telling us not to believe our lying eyes. The number of people who sincerely believe that Barack Obama avoided acknowleging Hillary last night out of concern for her feelings can be counted on one hand.
What this looks like to me is that this is one of those days when Axelrod will be earning his money. His boss acted in an ungracious and arrogant manner, and David's out trying to make the best of it, which is becoming increasingly difficult the more Obama acts this way. Obama gave Axelrod NOTHING to work with. He stared icily at Hillary as she approached, and then turned his back. The intent was unmistakeable, despite Axelrod's heroic spin efforts.
Why couldn't Barack Obama be gracious last night? He'd just won the South Carolina primary by 28 points. It's not like he can't afford a conciliatory gesture. This was not a campaign setting; they were both there in their capacity as Senators. It was neutral territory.
This pattern of rudeness is starting to add up to quite a list. The "you're likeable enough" remark. His non-concession concession speeches in New Hampshire and Nevada. Hillary Clinton called Obama after South Carolina to congratulate him, and also congratulated him in her speech.
When IS he going to start being gracious? Should we hold our breath?