With Rudy Guiliani showing no sign of backing down in the wake of the furor over his comments over President Obama's supposed lack of red hot American love (and indeed, is making an even bigger horse's ass of himself), the many 2016 Republican presidential wannabes are in a tight spot. And their range of reactions is rather interesting to watch. So far we've had Bobby Jindel giving Rudy his support (giving us yet another example of Bobby's stunning lack of political smarts), a rather wishy-washy Jeb Bush reply and, surprisingly, Marco Rubio stepping up to the plate and actually giving what should be the no-brainer answer for GOPers (translation: Obama loves this country, we just don't agree with his policies. Is that so hard to say, guys?). And now more are speaking out:
First, in Rubio's camp of thought, none other than Rand Paul:
In the interview with WAVE, Paul criticized former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) for doubting the President's love of country.
"I think it's a mistake to question people's motives," Paul said. "It's one thing to disagree on policy."
"I try not to question the president's motives as being a good American or a bad American," Paul continued. "I've challenged his policies. I've disagreed with him completely on the war in Libya. I blame him and Hillary [Clinton] for something that made us less safe because of the war in Libya. But I don't question whether or not he was well-intentioned."
Again, Republicans, if someone as rock-stupid as Rand Paul knows what the proper response is to Rudy's blather, what's stopping you guys?
What about Lindsey Graham, a man who's shrieking, baying contempt for Obama knows no bounds? Well, here's Lindsey:
I am not Dr. Phil. I don't know how to look into somebody's eyes and find out what their soul's up to," he said, but added that he doesn't "question [the president's] patriotism or love for our country."
Well that doesn't sound like Lindsey. Where's the contempt for the man who took the Presidency away from his snuggle-bunny McCain?
That doesn't mean, however, that he approves of what Obama's done in office.
"His policies are putting our country at risk. His primary job is to defend America, and he's failing miserably," Graham said.
There we go! All is right with the world!
But while Graham's response is nothing to brag about, at least it's more impressive then Scott Walker. Walker, more then any other potential 2016 contender, is in a uniquely difficult position, as he was in person at the event where Rudy went off like a racist Mount Saint Helens and said nothing. And following that example, Scotty's decided ignorance is the best approach. First there was this initial reply and now he added this:
I’ve never asked the President so I don’t really know what his opinions are on that one way or another," Walker told the newspaper.
And:
When the Journal Sentinel asked Walker directly whether he thought President Obama loved America, Walker said he chose to stay out of it.
“I assume most people in this country love America,” Walker said. “And to me I don’t think it’s worth getting into the battle over whether he does or he doesn’t. He can handle that himself. I know I do.”
Coming after his similar "Duh, I dunno" non-answer
when asked about evolution, I'm starting to sense a pattern with Scotty. And it's not making people happy.
Dana Milbank minced no words:
What Rudy Giuliani did this week was stupid.
What Scott Walker did ought to disqualify him as a serious presidential contender.
More:
That dinner Wednesday, at New York’s 21 Club, is where Giuliani challenged Obama’s love of country. Even the former mayor preceded his outrageous allegation by saying, “I know this is a horrible thing to say . . . ”
Walker surely knew it was horrible, too, but he refused to say so — and in this failure he displayed a cowardice unworthy of a man who would be president.
Ouch. Still, gives a good example of why I don't take Walker seriously. The "Duh, I dunno" approach to every difficult question is not going to get you far on the campaign trail.
One thing's for sure; the Guiliani mess isn't going away any time soon, not with Rudy seeming loving the limelight. Stay tuned...