The latest scandalous wisp in the media's teapot.
[Politico's intrepid Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen] have obtained, exclusively, the exchange:
... I know you may not believe this, but as a friend, I think you will regret staking out that claim.
From email, WH economic adviser Gene Sperling to WaPo's Bob Woodward.
Re: Latter's insipid "claim" that Obama has "moved the goal posts" in fiscal negotiations.
If the email was indeed a "veiled threat," as VandeHei and Allen characterized Woodward's reaction to it, then I guess my powers of subtlety are failing.
In context, Sperling's email was a massive genuflection at the Washington altar of establishment apologies--think Twain and barrels of ink--and even if one nixes the exonerating context, it's still clear that Sperling meant an intellectual regret only.
But, whatever. By tonight Sean Hannity and Breitbart.com will have Woodward on the lam in Canada's witness protection program, having fled just in the nick of time from Obama's capital city drones and jackbooted Kenyan hitmen.
More and more, the right appears to be in panic mode.
We are in the midst of one of the occasional progressive periods of American history. Ironically, the Right understands this much better than the progressives. Forty years from now, progressive bloggers (or whatever they have then) will be whining about why the Leftcan't be like grandparents were during the Obama administration.
As we Lutherans like to say, "This is the Day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice in it." :-)
Posted by: Robert Lipscomb | February 28, 2013 at 09:07 AM
"We are in the midst of one of the occasional progressive periods of American history. Ironically, the Right understands this much better than the progressives."
Well said, Robert. The question I have though is....why? I don't expect you to answer it, since I'm sure that anyone who tries may go into apoplectic shock.
Posted by: Marc McKenzie | February 28, 2013 at 10:18 AM
Indeed. Mr Wood ward has made claims that are probably pretty easy to disprove and doubtless will be. One could ask, merely using rudimentary logic, which party needed an escape route from the corner into which they had painted themselves by failing to pass a clean bill to raise the debt ceiling. Who's idea was the sequester? I'm guessing the people who needed it the most. And who voted for it. Mr Woodward's sources on the Democratic side of this debate remain unnamed. Which is the same as saying they do not exist. He may regret the embarrassment that exposure as a fraud might bring but I doubt it.
Posted by: Peter G | February 28, 2013 at 10:34 AM
@Marc McKensie:
One of the byproducts of a misspent youth that was ... misspent ... in redneck bars located in the redneck south is getting a series of what is known around here as "A-Number-1 Ass-Whippins".
One encounters his first A-Number-1 Ass-Whippin with a sense of enthusiasm because one has never had an A-Number-1 Ass-Whippin. One enters into all of his following A-Number-1 Ass-Whippin with a very special feeling in one's gut and soul.
In the moment, one will devise sundry strategies and tactics to avoid the pending A-Number-1 Ass-Whippin, but usually to no avail. So, there is that awkward, uncomfortable calm period that surrounds that special feeling one gets heading towards his A-Number-1 Ass-Whippin.
I cannot say for certain that the Republicans are about to get an A-Number-1 Ass-Whippin. However, I can assure you that the looks on their faces and their antics perfectly mirror that special feeling I always got just before I got one of my A-Number-1 Ass-Whippin.
So, I am guessing they are pretty sure they are about to get one.
It has been over thirty years since the Democrats have given anyone an A-Number-1 Ass-Whippin. So, it is hard for them to percieve it.
Posted by: Robert Lipscomb | February 28, 2013 at 11:48 AM
Ah! Bob Woodward. Always trying to re-capture Past Glories! At anyone else's expense. Sad!
Posted by: BobH | February 28, 2013 at 12:01 PM