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Haraz N. Ghanbari / AP
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer points during an intense conversation with President Barack Obama after he arrived at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport on Jan. 25, 2012, in Mesa, Ariz.
Arizona Gov. Janet Brewer’s office was flooded with mail condemning the Republican leader for wagging her finger at President Barack Obama during a tense airport encounter in January.
“I don’t have the exact breakdown, but most of the correspondence that came in was negative,” Matthew Benson, Brewer’s spokesman, told msnbc.com on Monday.
Benson said the governor’s office received more than 12,000 letters, many of them from out of state, following the exchange between the leaders on Jan. 25. Many were in the form of email, while others had been handwritten and one was written on a typewriter, Benson said.
The Arizona Republic reported on Sunday that it had obtained 100 letters randomly selected by the governor’s office after filing a public-records request.
Brewer and Obama were seen engaged in a tense conversation at the base of Air Force One’s steps in Mesa. Both could be seen smiling and speaking at the same time.
Arizona governor, Obama in ‘tense’ exchange over book
The exchange was generally understood to involve her criticism of the president in her published book, “Scorpions for Breakfast,” something of a memoir of her years growing up. The leaders have sparred most prominently on illegal immigration and Arizona’s tough law aiming to curb it.
Brewer has said she meant no disrespect to the president.
Veterans, housewives and middle-school students from New Orleans were among those who took the governor to task, according to the Arizona Republic.
"If you approached me like you did the president I would have taken great comfort by poking you in the nose," wrote Eleanor Tafolla from Cathedral City, Calif., the newspaper reported.
Chuck Bower of Indiana sent in his support of Brewer, writing in his letter: "The only thing you did wrong was wave the 'wrong' finger in his face."
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
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Why would anyone complain about Brewer using this a teaching moment to educate Obama on the illegal immigration problem.
Contrary to Brewer's public statements and the misinformation spread by the right, under the Obama administration there are significantly more border patrol personnel, illegal immigration is way down and deportations way up. There is nothing that Brewer believes she can "teach" President Obama that he does not understand better than she ever will.
Governor Brewer was not "teaching" in the photo - she was being uncivil.
She's as dumb as a box of hair.
Do you suppose she was "teaching" him about her private interest in the AZ prison system and how she stands to make $$$ if inmate population goes up? They charge the state for every illegal they jail.
Don, if you want to know how things are along the border, ask someone who lives there. Obama has proved to be a full time politiican and we all know they all twist reality around to suit their motives. I've seen and read several pieces on interviews with those that live there and what they experience everyday does not match the rosy impression our government is giving us about the super job they are doing. Try thinking for your self, or at least listen to those that are living that hell before swallowing the political BS hook, line, and sinker.
Do you suppose she was "teaching" him about her private interest in the AZ prison system and how she stands to make $$$ if inmate population goes up? They charge the state for every illegal they jail.
Nothing to see here, just another corrupt politician.
Wow, you must be really dizzy after all that spinning!
Your witless condescension aside, she was not "educating" President Obama. She was screaming at him because she was angry. Nothing more, nothing less. She was behaving like a bratty child while the President remained calm and professional in the face of her juvenile temper tantrum.
President Obama recognizes that illegal immigration needs to be addressed. But, like most Americans, he does not believe that harrassing hispanics-- which Arizona's law does-- will achieve that goal. It's fine for her to disagree with the President, but it is truly sad and inexcusable for a public official to behave in a manner that is so disrespectful to our President. Then her saying she felt, "threatened," by him after the fact just shows that she's a liar on top of everything else.
Brewer is an idiot. President Obama should be commended for not sinking to her level.
Actually he didn't escalate the situation because he knows Brewer can kick his a$$ and I'm pretty sure that's legal in AZ.
Deportations are WAY UP over the numbers under Bush. Some people won't even give Obama credit when he does what they want him to do.
Actually no one could fault her if she had not poked her finger at the President of the United States. I am a Republican and I live in Arizona but I was terribly ashamed of our ill-mannered governor. She seemed like a racist shrew. If anyone thinks her actions were an appropriate way to act around our President, then they too have a problem. Poor Jan shamed our party and our state. In many ways, our history on race issues mirrors that of the deepest Southern states like Alabama and Mississippi.
Who is Brewer to teach anyone anything? If she was that great of a politician she would be President of the USA. She is a racist and an upstart.
Heck, most Republians think Obama is an illegal immigrant conspiring to take down America. The bottom line, is whether or not you respect the person you must respect the office of President. I couldn't stand Bush and thought he was dumber than a box of rocks but I would never consider behaving as she did.
Brewer is an ignorant slut, with nothing to "teach" any President.
Doubter - Think she (used to) use an aspirin?? You know - slut? Would be better than reproducing, in her case.
People who respect the Office of The President of The United States do not demean the office by bowing to royalty.
Common man Maybe you could use a teaching moment on sentence construction.
to pdrev, I believe had she touched the Pres in a threatening manner Secret Service may have stepped in and they have NO sense of humor. While you may think under Arizona Statutes it's ok for her to "kick his a$$" do not attempt it.
Hey Common Man and Lanakei Ron,
Obama is mindful of illegal immigration and it's not just political fanfare. Believe it or not, Obama deported almost 400,000 undocumented aliens, about half of which had been convicted of committing crimes, far more than in any of Bush's 8 years in office:
From Oct. 1, 2010, to the end of last month, federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials deported 396,906 illegal immigrants, the highest number for similar periods in the agency's history, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Inquirer piece cites a University of California-Berkeley Law School study that found annual deportations are up more than 400% since 1996 and more than a million deportees have been expelled since the start of the Obama administration.
The piece refers to the phenomenon as "an oddity of the Obama years." It says, "A president who wants new pathways to legal residency for millions of undocumented immigrants is deporting them at a record rate."
The Berkeley report concludes that many immigrants "are pushed rapidly through the system without appropriate checks or opportunities to challenge their detention and/or deportation."
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/10/administration-deports-record-number-of-illegal-immigrants/1#.T3EEVNUxZMM
This shows that a man who would prefer another way to address the question of illegal immigration is enforcing the laws on the books, contrary to the Republican pea-brains who hate Obama no matter what he does. When will Republicans prefer the truth to the fictions they subscribe to?
Because, CM, Governor Brewer can't "teach" anyone. She has the intellect of an above-average house pet, and our state has suffered because of it.
"Then her saying she felt, "threatened," by him after the fact just shows that she's a liar on top of everything else."
Amen!
This was about two things, Brewer and the AZGOP showing their disrespect for the President of the United States, and publicity to help Brewer sell more books. Both were a success. She did disrespect the President and she did sell a lot more books.
Hopefully Arizonan's will be good and embarrassed by the next gubernatorial election, and we'll be ready to elect someone who actually has leadership and management qualifications, along with skills in statesmanship and diplomacy.
hahaha, "Wagging the wrong finger in his face."
Classic, and funny.
All joking aside, as a lawyer Obama should know better than to invite contact in the public eye that he doesn't have any control over.
It's like asking questions of a witness during a trial in front of the jury that you don't already know the answer to- you invite disaster!
The state of Goldwater. Why is anyone surprised?
If I lived in AZ, I'd move. But thankfully I don't! I have no plans to even drive thru there much less drop any cash or waste any time there. Was suppose to go to a convention there a few years back and declined the all-paid trip. Went to Chicago instead and had a great time!
Unfortunately, there is a segment of the U.S. population that is very upset that a BLACK MAN actually won the 2008 presidential election.
It is as if they are in denial. They keep sending out emails announcing the latest discovery about President Obama’s false birth certificates. The only thing they can do to make themselves feel better is find ways to cast aspersions at, ridicule, make fun of, or otherwise make life hell for, President Obama. At this point, I would not care if Mr. Obama came from outer space. The fact is, he IS President of The United States, and as such he deserves a little respect if not for him personally, then for the office he was elected to hold.
What the conservative Republicans do not realize is this: They are to blame! It is their direct fault that Mr. Obama is president. They are the ones who selected Senator McCain and what's her name, Sarah Palin, to run against Mr. Obama. Those two were extremely marginal candidates; and, they were not an ideal competitor to Mr. Obama and Mr. Biden.
Although the Republican Party is nearly hysterical in the zeal and goal to unseat Mr. Obama, unfortunately, the Grand Old Party still is wallowing in that same mud hole as 2008. The GOP is focusing on not one, but FOUR extremely marginal presidential candidate wannabes.
Willard Romney, religious views aside, has not had any meaningful contact with average every day people. Rick Sntorum is far too draconian, vindictive, and sanctimonious. Newton Gingrich does not pass the ethics or morals test. Ronald Paul is not age appropriate. Add to that, all of them have the charisma of a bag of steer manure.
As a Republican, I am embarrassed to see that the GOP cannot find a more meaningful candidate – as in someone who really knows something about making a budget and keeping to it, creating jobs, and, caring about people who are less fortunate.
Until the Republican Party gets rid of the conservative Christians and other mean-spirited people within the Party, the GOP will remain in the toilet for a long time.
Arizona's governor is another dope who pretends to be conservative, supported by other dopes who are faux conservatives. They are the same dopes as the pretend libs who would disrespect Bush in person.
Losers, all of them. Move to Iran.
*Yawn*
"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy."
Lanikai Ron
Actually, Ron, what I stated was factual.
Nothing is "twisted", and the motive is the truth. You, on the other hand, seem to form your opinion based on some unstated anecdotal stories from an unnamed source declaring that it is not a "rosy impression". Thanks for that crackerjack reporting, Ron. Your insight is very enlightening.
Hey Ann, there would not have been an illegal problem if the citizens of AZ and the businesses had not wanted to profit using "cheap" labor..... they worked for your people.... too bad you guys now have to pay real wages!!!!
Everything else aside! Did you guys see the CHIN on that finger wagging woman?
I couldn't figure out where I'd seen that profile before, then my eight year old grand daughter interjected while my wife and I were trying to figure it out!
"The Green Witch Grampa! On the Wizard of OZ!"
Aren't kids smart? And quick too!
Must be a pretty slow "news" day for MSNBC to bring up something that happened in January as news.
Answer me this, is it unreasonable to expect people that disagree to complain in a formal way (writting) more than people that agree with anything. If so, how many of you Obama supporters concerning this incident have written the White House in support of Obama? I thought so.
This article is about as news worthy and biased as the one recently "reported" preaching against Cheney's heart transplant.
Does anybody see anything IRONIC about the "Devils Son" supporting Obama? Now I know who Im NOT voting for!!
No, they just kiss them, shake their hands, and make the Taliban "honored" guests on their ranches. See how one can turn that around and be flip and get nothing accomplished other than repeating hateful words?
You don't like Obama. We get it. Everyone gets it! I almost hope Obama doesn't win in the fall just hearing the simpering and whining stop! I swear, it's like listening to a bunch of school children saying, "Nu uh!" while sticking their tongues out.
PD-REV
I'm suprised.
He didn't respond in kind because he's a Gentleman and a Christian and she is redneck. Who turned the other cheek in this situation?
And for all you A-Clowns out there, yes he is a Christian.
This isn't about anyone's opinion of Obama, it's about respect for the office of the President and our democratic system, that might not always elect who you want it too. We should show a united front to the world, and whatever our domestic squabbles, they shouldn't be used as publicity ops. Not only did Brewer disrespect her boss and the office of the President, she disrespected the entire nation, seeing as he is OUR leader, as in all of us. She aired her dirty laundry in an attempt to pander to the right wing idealogues, and by doing so made her self look like the presumptuous bi**h, I'm sure she is.
Brewer is wrapped pretty tight. Most repubs are. They wouldn't know a good time if it kissed them.
Ed, I don't call myself a Republican, but idealogically, I'm closer to them than what the Democrat Party represents. I voted for Obama, don't belong to the Tea Party and do not know anyone who does, but I was called a racist by the left wing liberal Democrats in these messages when I spoke out against his policies that I didn't like. Now who are you saying is wrapped up pretty tight?
They come across as angry, lecturing idealogues. Certainly not all of them, but most. I too am actually closer to repubs on most issues. But their rabid base with their religious agendas really turn me off. Obama was the first Dem I ever voted for for Pres. and that was because of the influence of the religious right. Again - not all religious people, but rather the extreme right which has undue influence in the party. And believe me those people are wrapped very tight.
Ron & Ed , make that three I voted for every Republican candidate for president from Ford to McCain but the extremes taking over the party has made me leave the GOP behind.
Not everyone is strictly on one side of the isle if they were they are just Sheep, I'm a democrat and have the same views on some subjects the the Republicans have, the fact is there is NO way everything either side believes in can be 100% right or wrong .....
Unfortunately, there is a segment of the U.S. population that is very upset that a BLACK MAN actually won the 2008 presidential election.
It is as if they are in denial. They keep sending out emails announcing the latest discovery about President Obama’s false birth certificates. The only thing they can do to make themselves feel better is find ways to cast aspersions at, ridicule, make fun of, or otherwise make life hell for, President Obama.
At this point, I would not care if Mr. Obama came from outer space. The fact is, he IS President of The United States, and as such he deserves a little respect if not for him personally, then for the office he was elected to hold.
What the conservative Republicans do not realize is this: They are to blame! It is their direct fault that Mr. Obama is president. They are the ones who selected Senator McCain and what's her name, Sarah Palin, to run against Mr. Obama. Those two were extremely marginal candidates; and, they were not an ideal competitor to Mr. Obama and Mr. Biden.
Although the Republican Party is nearly hysterical in the zeal and goal to unseat Mr. Obama, unfortunately, the Grand Old Party still is wallowing in that same mud hole as 2008. The GOP is focusing on not one, but FOUR extremely marginal presidential candidate wannabes.
Willard, religious views aside, has not had any meaningful contact with average every day people. Rick is far too draconian, vindictive, and sanctimonious. Newton does not pass the ethics or morals test. Ronald is not age appropriate. Add to that, all of them have the charisma of a bag of steer manure.
As a Republican, I am embarrassed to see that the GOP cannot find a more meaningful candidate – as in someone who really knows something about making a budget and keeping to it, creating jobs, and, caring about people who are less fortunate.
Until the Republican Party gets rid of the conservative Christians and other mean-spirited people within the Party, the GOP will remain in the toilet for a long time.
This slut dont even get kissed before she puts out. She probably just paints her nails while getting it.
What she did showed no class; she disrespected herself and the state of Arizona as well as the President and the United Sates of America.
Most of these comments are of the same nature, people attacking each other with a lack of common courtesy. We are better than this. There is no need for everyone to act like 6 year olds on the school grounds picking fights over nothing. It is beyond time to deal with issues in a civil manner focused on resolving problems instead of fighting for the sake of fighting.
Steve stop picking on 6 year olds. LOL
How can anyone have a good time when we have a nation led by any political party, not just the repubs are fu(king this country up, it's any politician willing to receive superpacs from corporations to adjust the laws to their benefit, not for the benefit of the people.
Everything else aside! Did you guys see the CHIN on that finger wagging woman?
I couldn't figure out where I'd seen that profile before, then my eight year old grand daughter interjected while my wife and I were trying to figure it out!
"The Green Witch Grampa! On the Wizard of OZ!"
Aren't kids smart? And quick too!
Ok......
Where is the sequel article about Mr. Obama raising his chin to the ceiling, wagging his finger at the audience, yelling sentences from his teleprompter, criticizing the Justices of the Supreme Court, and talking down his audience (both domestic and International) ?
Yep, pretty disrespectful to the citizens of the United States of America and other foreign folks.
Yep, this Democrat will NOT BE VOTING for Mr. Obama's re-election even though he said "I deserve to be re-elected."
The problem with your post is everything he said about Cit. United has come true. So your point is moot.
Her political party aside, I was very impressed by her actions and respect her for it. He is only the president and deserves to be treated as such - not a demigod. As much as he thinks he is perfect he has his faults. Asking tough questions of a politician is not disrespectful. I don't understand how criticizing a persons literary works is acceptable but being asked about the comments is disrespectful. And how does questioning the prez bring disrespect to the U.S.?
Brewer has no class and never will have any ..when you disrespect the president in front of the American people you also disrespect those people .. disagree all you want in the privacy of your own company but the president of the United States represents all the people of America and deserves all Americans respect and honor when in public .. to do less than give the president that respect and honor is to disrespect our Country and the people that make up our country .. when Foreign Governments meet with the President of the United States they are honored .. have we sunk so low that world leaders respect our President more than we do.. Shame on Brewer to allow her hate for our country to show in this manner
Oh please. What a bunch of politically correct crap. This is the United States of America. It isn't against the law for the Executive of a State to tell the Executive of the Nation what she thinks. Any of them really have the right to do so.
Shame on all you creeps making disparaging remarks about her looks, and /or your fantasies about her sex life. Yep good old -fashioned shame. If she isn't your pin-up girl then fine but why do you lower yourselves to that level of insult?
Why do you think that type of insult is okay, but her disagreeing with "The President" is nigh unto treason, oh and "racist" to boot. Are your comments not misogynistic and hateful?
I don't think that anyone is saying she doesn't have a right to disagree with the president. Nor do we think she has no right to tell him what she thinks. Where she went wrong is that she knew the cameras were there, she knew it would be a public spectacle and she used that opportunity to what she thought would be her advantage. It didn't work. People saw it for what it was - disrespectful. And now, because she holds an elected public office, she'll have to face the consequences. By her own choice of taking that office, she will have to hear the voice of the people who put her there.
As an elected official, when you openly and publicly disrespect a person also elected to an office (whether higher or lower than your own), you disrespect every single voter who cast a ballot for that person by proxy. You also short-change the voters who may have voted for yourself in addition to him. Our country is NOT a reality show. You shouldn't score popularity points by causing unnecessary drama. You should do your damned job and be good at it. If you work for and carry the will of your constituents, you might be blessed enough to serve another term based on your actual merits.
This isn't limited to either side of the aisle. There is no common courtesy or decorum in politics anymore. We're not in freakin' high school, needing to establish elitist social cliques. Democracy was never intended to be a corporate-sponsored, two-ring, Hee-Haw circus, leaving us to choose the least terrifying clown as our leader. Grow the hell up and do your jobs! All of you! I and every other voter put you there to do what's best for all of us. 'Me, me, me' won't work anymore. If you don't... well, my father put it best, "Hard heads make for sore asses." See you at the booth.
Jimwhite you made an excellent point. Whatever happened to respect for each other. You don't put your finger in anyone's face like that except your kids and grandkids, let alone the president of the United States. Such disrespect. I don't know who's worse, Governor Christie or Jan Brewer.
jmwhite540 - You got it exactly right.
Sad to say, Governor Brewer is my governor. I (and many, many others) already had no respect for her, but we were proud the president was coming to Arizona. We were appalled, as we watched her behavior. In that short second, the first thought was people like her feel they can behave with disrespect like that because our president is a black man. Close your eyes and imagine that same photo with Gov. Brewer and President Bush. Nope. Wouldn't have happened.
We have all noticed the lack of civil discourse in the past few years. That old saying about it starting at the top is, of course, true. If our "leaders" can't act like decent, intelligent, thoughtful role models, this is what results.
Another great example of cherry picking. Nothing is known about what the president said to her at first, but apparently he wasn't happy about her book and told her so, he also put his arm on her in a condescending manner and she responded, which is when said pic was taken. Perhaps less cherry picking of photos. If ever there were some unhappy pics of late, well, let's just say that Hilary has been caught in a few less-than-flattering moments.
And...is it just me or does it seem like anything and everything of late seems to be an opportunity for the media to create a tempest in a teapot? Not real news, mind you, but come'on, this happened weeks and weeks ago, there's a whole lot happening and this is what MSNBC drags out for a news article?
Typical MSNBC tabloid filler.
respect is earned, it isnt a given. he is weak. he plans on caveing into Russia after he's elected... to a Putin no doubt. a real leader would have snapped her finger off and.... not saying she wasnt in the right, but lets get with it.
I'd argue that being elected by a majority of the American people would count as "respect earned". If you're saying that he has to earn respect after getting elected by the voters to our highest public office, then I would also say that you, in many ways, disrespect democracy. In fact, I'd call your very definition of respect into question.
As far as Russia is concerned and this new "gotcha" with which the media will have a feeding frenzy: I think he sounded exactly like a politician always sounds - lip service and smiley gladhanding like every other president before him. If we're going to "get with it", as you say, then please have the courtesy to go all in.
Let's step bac in time and recall the courtesy Obama showed another Republican Governor.
Jindal says that when he greeted Obama as he landed for his first of several visits to the oil spill location, Obama obviously had ‘staged’ a confrontation for the Washington media corps. The Louisiana governor said that Obama took him by the arm to express anger about a ‘routine’ letter that Jindal’s office sent to the Department of Agriculture rather than being interested in discussing the alleged purpose of the visit – to evaluate the oil spill’s damage. (Grabbing people that way is considered "battery" in most states.)
Jindal was quoted as saying:"He was mad that he was going to look bad. I was amazed by two things: one, that he was mad about the wrong things, and secondly, that he was so thin-skinned. It was clearly a media stunt; clearly a political stunt. He may have tipped off a couple of Washington reporters to watch this interaction to get this picture. It was disappointing… I want him to be the president of the country, to come down here and lead. Instead, he was playing political theatrics."
This is also the President who has insulted long time ally, England, called his own grandparents, "typical white people," and referred to his Mother as a girl, married to an African Man.
Frankly, this is just more political theatrics, aided by some mindless drones, acting in his behalf. The whole thing is much ado about nothing.
Rick I vote democrat everytime. Economically I share no view's with the Republican's I have watched them take away from the working people, poor, our children, and elderly for the last 35 yrs, and they are trying to take more away right now, and it's people like you who say that they are Democrats, but vote all over the ticket that helped put the Teapublican's in power back in 2010. Call me a sheep, or whatever at least i have a clear conscience, and back the people that have my views. I would rather be a sheep than a wolf in sheeps clothing. One last thing i must ask you Rick is how do you like the bunch of Republican's that you voted in back in 2010? Did they have your view's?, and if so do they now? if so then you are probably not a Democrat at all!!!
Respect is something one must earn. There are those here saying she should not have expressed herself so visibly because the cameras were nearby - well, if not then, when? It's certainly not like Obama and company have ever been camera/news/photo op shy and more than happy to spin anything they can any which way it can be spun if it can be made to go the way they want it to go.
Did you notice the part of the story about how most of the 12,000 letters came from outside the state? Perhaps MSNBC should feature that as part of their headline rather than intimating that it was actually a groundswell of Arizona residents differing with her opinion and actions.
We have an ineffectual, pandering and incompetent leader - that would be Obama - sitting in the White House by some amazing almost beyond comprehension correlation of events that somehow managed to transport a wholly unprepared "social organizer" from relative obscurity into the position of being the most powerful man on earth; a man who if he were a ship captain would be pictured and portrayed as being at the helm of his ship wearing a blind folded while "guiding" the ship straight toward the rocks.
And yet when a governor of a state that is being devastated by illegal aliens turning it into their own personal highway to America stands up to the man who is doing everything he can to undermine the laws of the land re illegal aliens; then fools from outside the state - write in to condemn her.
Time for change we can count on; I may not agree with some of the platforms that Romney adheres too, but in terms of him being a man who actually understands economics and how to govern - rather than makes promises he never keeps and then asks for a second term to see if maybe this time he can get it right - Romney will make Obama look like a first grader who somehow found himself sitting in an advanced Physics class with the brightest of the bright.
Stoops-You are so easily manipulated and under informed that it seems futile to respond to your formula post. Jan Brewer is an excellent self promoter and had a book to sell. She is now a bigger darling to the radical right and has solidified a place in conservative talk radio for the future. A poster of her bony digit is being mass produced for Tea Party use by the Koch Bros. machine right now. that's fair and both brewer and Obama were elected by majorities and both groups have doubts about their choices, now. Pushing Romney as the brightest of the bright? He now holds the record for gaffes by a presidential candidate and it's only march. He knows how to destroy American companies and lay off tens of thousands of American workers in order to become moderately wealthy. In this economy and high unemployment the voters must worry that Romney, if elected, would actually reward his wall street and big money donors by de-regulating more ways to close American companies and destroy more American jobs. That is his record. Promises kept? Can you say Osama Bin Laden?
Gee realist pandering
For someone who doesn't think my post is worth responding to you sure didn't spare any words!
I think just as highly of you as you do of me.
If it hadn't been for the gutless wonder and philandering liar Bill Clinton - there never would have been an Osama bin Laden to have to kill or perhaps even 9/11 to talk about; Clinton had three - count 'em - three chances to kill bin Laden but couldn't be bother to take time out from his diddling of Monica and other such afternoon delights to do the job he was elected to do.
Yet, Obama is worse than Clinton was when it comes to being a competent leader. I wonder which part of "It's the economy stupid!" he didn't get when he was elected and decided to waste two years on Obamacare?
Fortunately, we have elections every four years and will soon be able to bid him adieu.
Nobody knows exactly what was said by either party here. Either one or both could have been disrespectful to each other. Obama is our President. He is not a King lording over the ignorant masses and that was the way our founding fathers intended it to be.
Lan Ron
I don't believe you needed to say that President Obama is not a King. He was not and has never acted like a king and it is pretty clear from the photo that he was not the disrespectful person in that scene.
I guess you know allot more than the rest of us Don. Inside scoop I guess.
lanikai ron, you don't need the inside scoop to recognize who has class and who doesn't. Average intelligence and a respectful upbringing will usually suffice.
Well he has acted more like a Narcissistic Dictator than a King esp for his first two years.. Atleast his handlers have reeled him in abit for the election campaign...
It is disrespectful to wag and point your finger at anyone - particularly the President of the United States. She is the Governor of Arizona - shame of her.
You DO NOT stick your finger into the face of the POTUS.. you greasy haired skank!!
Why can't I?
Who knows for sure the exchange was negative? Assumptions?
Proud West Virginian - Do you think she was about to pick his nose?
"I meant no disrespect to the President..." it's just that I had to go on the rw talk show circuit to pimp my book and I needed something to get everybody's attention.
Typical media "whore". Palin and Jan Brewer....money for me at any cost!!!
Everything else aside! Did you guys see the CHIN on that finger wagging woman?
I couldn't figure out where I'd seen that profile before, then my eight year old grand daughter interjected while my wife and I were trying to figure it out!
"The Green Witch Grampa! On the Wizard of OZ!"
Aren't kids smart? And quick too!
I'll get you my pretty and your little dog too.....yep I bet that was just what she was saying...She may not realize it but her legacy will be this photo of her temper tantrum and abysmal manners.
Got that one right. Obvious she was just waiting for a photo op to get people talking about her book. If she really wanted to talk to the POTUS about her book I am sure she could have done that outside of the limelight.
You got that right NavyVet65!
My father was a WW2 Navy Vet. He was aboard the USS Curtiss (AV-4) when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. His ship received 7 Battle stars while in the Pacific. Pearl Harbor, Tarawa, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Saipan, Guam and Okinawa. His ship took a bomb and a disabled Japanese 'Kate' hit it at Pearl. It was hit by a Kamikaze at Okinawa killing many men. He said that he was quite happy to see the A-bomb dropped in '45 because he was supposed to be in the invasion of Japan.
Waldo...I salute your dad. It sounds like he was right in the thick of the action in the Pacific. My only wartime service was off VietNam on a destroyer providing gunfire support for our men ashore. I agree with your Dad regarding the A bomb. The alternative would have meant the deaths of many thousands of our fighting forces and untold numbers of Japanese.
5 deleted, JimmyPrince retroactively wishing that the Governor 'poked [the POTUS'] eyes out with her fingers'. Banned.
Try to not harm or deathwish the President, folks.
Republicans are just vile disgusting racists. End of story. Republicans no longer represent American Values.
I generally refrain from name calling but you are the bigger bigot and extremely narrow minded. You're an idiot to label the whole party as racist. By that statement you show yourself as being uninformed and not worth wasting any more time on. Have a great day and may God richly bless you!
I'm a strong liberal and proud Democrat, but this comment from AtheistLefty is absurd and symptomatic of some fundamental problems in our society. Name-calling may make you feel good, but it does not address problems; it only creates new ones.
BS Curt, the republican party has become radical extremists. They are nothing but a gang of corporate thugs. Anyone who can't see this is a fool, pure and simple. Have a wonderful day and may the Flying Spaghetti Monster bless you with rich sauce and noodley goodness.
Curt, take your god and shove it.
"[President Obama] praised Indonesia - the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation - for a 'spirit of
tolerance that is written into your constitution, symbolized in your mosques and churches and temples, and embodied in your people,' a quality worthy for all the world to emulate." Wilson, S. (Nov. 10, 2010) "Obama praises Indonesia's 'spirit of tolerance' as a model" retrieved Feb. 10, 2012 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/09/AR2010110906579.html?wprss=rss_print
Highlighting the president being a true world leader. Thank you for the post.
As a life long Democrat, I have voted for who I thought would be the best person for the job (republican or democrat). Like others I have some views that more republican held (mainstream republicans not far right), and some that are more democrat held views (mainstream democrats not far left)). Sadly politics has become so fractured it's getting scarey. Oust all of them and start over. Remember Term Limits... automatically enforced at the ballot box.
Thank you, Steve in WA. There is no place for name calling. Name calling makes it seem as if you are unable to voice your opinions in any other way. I often take comfort in the fact that on the whole, liberal-minded folks are usually able to speak their mind. Your name calling diminishes that for the rest of us.
No name calling?? No way man; if I can't even refer to the righties as "dumbass righties," it would take all the fun out of posting!
The 'R' also stands for robbers. You want to see the biggest distribution of wealth. Watch to see if the republicans try and 'privatize' S. S. We'll give you 'wall street' the money in the S.S. system. Now is your turn to make money with this investment. We'll give them PSA so that they can manage their own accounts, (hell everybody has time for this) . In the meantime you can all get fat bounes. And don't forget you can make up all kinds of investment tools, hell we're going to de-regulate you. That last meltdown was just a fluke.
I note that lots of these hate mongering "used to be democrats" are full crap!! Wolf in sheeps clothing? Also..so called "independents" are nothing more than ashamed Republicans.
No wonder Brewer was elected Gov of AZ. She fits the personality of that right wing State perfectly.
She wasn't elected.....Big Sis stepped down to become the government watchdog and Jan Brewer was next in line....Fact check next time....ok.
That shrieking little harpy was never elected, Jack.
Ummm, Kelly... she won the election in 2010.
Brewer took over the remainder of Napolitano's term after she left for DHS in 2009.
Brewer then ran for and "won" another four years in 2010. Although "won" might be a stretch, it's more like she was backed by Chuck Coughlin and the private prison industry, the same people who backed Arizona's controversial immigration law. Brewer was losing the race until she signed SB1070.
So "won" is a strong word. It was more like pandered to and bought by special interests.
Fromarizona, isn't that how all the Republicans are getting elected these days? Pander to the right wing extremists and special interests? I actually feel bad for the centrist GOP folks. They have lost ALL of their voice in their own party.
Better to be a "Right-Winger than a:
1. Guy that will be blaming Bush for everything in 2045.
2. Closed Guantanamo...NOT
3. Guaranteed the "SUMMER OF RECOVERY" that FAILED
4. LOWERED UNEMPLOYMENT TO 7.5% (NOT) (guaranteed it would be under 7.5% bay May, 1st 2010.
5. Saved the Auto Industry from destruction..... GM - FAILED after given B-B-BILLIONS, they filed for Bankrupcy. Chrysler, raped & Dismantled.... Ford..... break even. THIS WAS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT????
On second though..... Id rather have Hillary, Richardson, or ANYONE ELSE in the White House, besides this UNQUALIFIED guy we have been given.
dang Mr Allergy brought facts.
Liberals especially Democrats are the people that make it necessary that the people they are helping are forced to trademark their dead children's names.
Internet rumor has it that Sharpton is selling t-shirts in Florida and that is why the kid's mom had to get a trademark on his name.
And I'm allergic to conservatives like you who spend you day watching the Fox news Network and listening to Rush Limbaugh!!!
Allergic to Stupid People,
I just had to comment on how cool it is that you chose a paradox as your nom-de-plume. It fits you well! I'm guessing you live alone yet still have to spend a fortune on Zyrtec!
Brewer is as smart as Sharon Angle....... err, as smart as Sarah Palin..... ah, as smart as Ayatollah Santorum....... hmmm, as smart as George W. Bush......... oh my....as smart as Ultrasound Rick Perry....... OK, I give Brewer a close second to a rock.
Just realized that when the Republicans hold a village idiots convention, the competition will be FIERCE!!!
So is our President a little boy that needs protection from the masses following a conversation with a governor? If he needs this kind of protection then he has no business dealing with leaders of other countries. The complainers here are the ones that voted him into office so which is it to be? Is he a leader or does he need your intervention? This whole discussion is ridiculous.
I'm not sure where there was any mention that the President felt he needed protection, Curt. That said, I think the Secret Service would have stepped in if he had, per protocol. I wish so fervently that the Secret Service had taken her to the ground. Those guys rock.
my oh my common sense
Curt..you sad little conservative. Way back along time ago...men were taught to not fight with women. Remember? Sadly you are probably the kind that would punch an unruly woman. The POTUS...did the right thing and walked away from the shrill harpy. He may be the POTUS and have lots of power but he did the manly thing and let her do her ignorant, self absorbed, assault...so that she could shill her freakin book.
You conservative men?...have been castrated by these "strong" women. Sarah..Michelle...Jan...Coulter..(the man/woman) and yada yada...have got you all by your little raisins and sadly you can't find the "nards" to call them out. You can't beat them per se...so join them? How sad.............
eggberta ....... the sock puppet you refer to as potus was once again embarrassed and walked away from Governor Brewer because there was no teleprompter present for his use, and now ....... you know the rest of the story!
The only thing she did wrong, was use the Wrong finger.
really? You couldn't come up with something yourself? You HAD to grab what the person in the story said? How pathetic and sad!
As an Obama supporter
This is no big deal at all. I want wag my finger at the Prez and all of Washington (both parties) for their illegal immigration stances and efforts.
As an Arizona resident, I am ashamed of how our unelected dictator of a governor acted that day. It's despicable and reflects very poorly upon the honor of our great state.
The Gov has no class and wants to sell her crummy book
Tucson Here
HOLD THE FREE BAJA ARIZONA SPHEEL.
Governor Brewer has a bigger set an anyone in Washington
All she's done for her entire term in office so far is do whatever the men in the republican legislature tell her. That doesn't take balls, it's submissive.
So on that note:
Free Southern Arizona! Libertad para Baja Arizona!
SOOOO, your offended because the governor tells it like it is. Well, tuff. Uncle OBY, grow a pair and allow her to speak her mind. "Scorpions for breakfast " is her opinion. She is allowed to have it. Get over it!
Jim, you never learned how to speak to someone without pointing your finger? I don't believe you.
Brewer's book does not scare me
what I have read in Obama's did!
Offended because of her bad manners, Jim, as Allison just said. The Governor has a responsibility to conduct herself with civility, not sink into third grade tactics. But it seems to be the norm with her party.
You forget Jim that Obama represents the American people and Brewer represents the people of Arizona. Now put the two together and see what's wrong in this picture. Sure people are giving her props but in reality it is childish to do something like that in public regardless of her opinions for the president.
Jan Brewer is just a delusional old woman. Those who think she did a great thing by wagging her finger at the President are the true idiots.
Grandma Brewer forgot her manners if she ever had any to begin with, the last time someone pointed their finger at me the way she did, I reached out and broke it for them. In some cultures it is highly offensive to point like that.
I guess she should have took a page from the boy king and ..bowed instead????
When/if our Professor I mean President shows some common sense and love for America and its people then perhaps people won't question his intentions.
He is the President of The United States of America not France, or Egypt, or Bolivia, or Nambia
etc etc
Respect is earned it is not an entitlement.
Now you know why her last name is pronounced "Brew-Ha." In Spanish, that is spelled Bruja and means "witch."
Not according to most dems on this site.
the thinker-318752
Not according to most dems on this site. Didn't respect George W. Bush, not even a little bit. But, I still wouldn't point my finger at him in public.
The Republican party is confused by it's own lack of manners. Ill tempered & self rightious (you lied)saying they are not racist, but blinded by their uncontrolable hate for our president. I can understand not supporting his policies, but claiming he wasn't born here, saying that he's not a Christian, attacking his love of country, Republicans have become a party of nut jobs. Obama is what's this country is all about, suceeding against all odds and acheiving great sucess. We should all be proud of what his presidency says about this country regardless if we agree with his agenda or not. He make me proud to be an AMERICAN, what the Arizona governor did makes me ashamed.
Well said!
It would have been fun to watch her try! She would have been wrestled to the ground by the Secret Service and would now be in prison.
Sorry, this ended up under the wrong comment. It was meant for the doofus who wanted the gov to scratch out his eyes.
I guess Sevil Omer had nothing to write about today and doesn't know the old phase "sometimes silence is golden".
Yes, when it's your party that is spoken poorly about, THAT'S when Silence is Golden. Of course I am sure you don't feel the same way about Fox News.
Silence is golden, the president walked away, and she is the one looking like a fool.
She made a complete fool of herself.
Unfortunately, Brewer was (supposed to be) acting as a representative of Arizona in that moment. She embarrassed our state too.
Tucson here F those Free Baja Arizona fools.
Brewer has my vote.
She has a bigger set than anyone in Washington
Surely..Victor..you really don't mean Cantor, Boehner and the turtle McConnell do you? Those boys will sell your ass down the river without so much as a blink of an eye. But you just keep on believing.
Give the skank more tequila and you'll probably build a shrine for her..............(if you don't wind up in one of her prisons). She's the only "female prick" that I know..besides the Quitta from Wasilla.
Victor you pick your candidates based on set size than policies? Ohh how low will we sink.
This woman is but one more in the line of embarrassing governors of our fine state. I don't blame her completely, it's her backers that she's trying to please just like any other politician. Sadly, though, it seems like AZ just can't find an intelligent, principled governor who doesn't constantly pander to the loud voices on the fringe. Oh, wait, that's true in every state, isn't it? Oh well.
If it weren't for Gov Brewer, the "toughest Sheriff" in the country and SB1070, the only thing anyone would know about AZ is that it's where the Grand Canyon is.
Why condemn the toughest sheriff who is smarter and have more international connections than both the FBI and CIA by proving that our president was born in Kenya able to do so with a voulteer posse whose only requirement "' was "Hate Obama" requirement that automatic qualified them.
You almost had me going for a second there, Clayton.
Tucson here
Brewer Rocks
She stands up for our State.
Victor!! She belittles your State!!
Victor, why are you sucking up to Jan bru-ha? She is obviously wagging her finger in the face of the POTUS, whose office entitles him to a level of respect she does not understand. Arizona should send her away to eat scorpions for lunch and dinner also. What a laughingstock!
Brewer is the biggest embarrassment to AZ since Ev Mecham.
Jan Brewer is obnoxious.
Obama is a crook and anybody who likes him is a loser.
I find it disrespectful for anyone to point their finger and wag it, my mother aside. Those of you with the comments about the wrong finger, or poke his eyes out, you are not only childish, your ignorant, stupid, dumb, illiterate posts just show your intelligence. And you're chicken sh-t, retarded, azz holes.
The solution to the border problem is not Jan Brewer. The solution is going after those who employ illegals, plain and simple. Whether you agree with the president or not, disrespect to ANY president is unforgivable. She should have disagreed as a lady, not an animal!
The solution to the border is to emulate Indonesian law in Mexico, the way our Obama commands us. "[President Obama] praised Indonesia - the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation - for a 'spirit of
tolerance that is written into your constitution, symbolized in your mosques and churches and temples, and embodied in your people,' a quality worthy for all the world to emulate." Wilson, S. (Nov. 10, 2010) "Obama praises Indonesia's 'spirit of tolerance' as a model" retrieved Feb. 10, 2012 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/09/AR2010110906579.html?wprss=rss_print
And what is your point? If you would venture out of your small world mentality, you would know that there are other countries and cultures that make our nation, culture (as indicated by Gov. Brewer's self empowerment to be disrespectful) and society look very immature, whiny, self-absorbed, naive, arrogant, intolerant of differences....the list goes on. I live overseas due to my job and trust me, Americans lost the respect it deserves long ago when we got too big for our britches in the world. It's time that we return to be consensual team players in the world that (better sit down now) is not exactly like the USA and support the leadership of a man who recognizes that greatest influence comes from leveling the playing field rather than blind arrogance and (as indicated by Gov Brewer's rudeness,) disrespect of people who disagree with us.
I don't think there is a correlation between Obama's respectful statement about Indonesia and the border control situation. Is it time for school Lillian?
A White woman dares to disrespect a black man who is Our Obama?
When someone jumps the fence at the white house and illegally enters the property secret service and security apprehend them and remove them from the property...........same here. Jan Brewer should have punched him in his lieing mouth.
Same here? lieing? Time for school?
I think I know you. I stepped in some of you at the cattle auction the other day.
Heer behavior was disrespectful to the POTUS. I wonder if she would have acted in a similar fashion towards Bush or "I shoot back" Cheney? Wagging one's finger is much like attempting to scold a small child. Her inability to recognize that the President won the election fair and square with no Florida or Ohio hi-jackings, and not counting all the military votes as Bush/Cheney did in both elections, remains her biggest fault. The majority elected the President, not the radical right wing, theocrats who have no other answers but to trust the word of men as they interpret the words of God! How absurd.
Where is the Republican plan for the immigration issue? Where are their plans to boost the economy, rebuild an aging infrastructure, vote for a pay decrease, a reduction in their staff members, public campaign financing and the end of Super PACS? I hear nothing nothing but attacks on the President. Their controlling of the House of Reps has proved their inability to govern, showing their tacky faces as only deeming to remove the black man from the Oval Office, which is what fat boy Newt said out loud. Our goal is to defeat Obama. They have no other goals that are palatable to the majority of Americans.
Obama/Biden 2012
Spot on!! Republican hatred of this POTUS is weakening their party. Hell...they are even turning it inward and eating their own!! Sad................
Arizonan politicians like Gov. Brewer and Sen. McCain help explain why that state is such a mess.
But on the bright side - "the Russians, I mean Hispanics are coming". Republican control in Arizona is coming to an end, and they know it. That's why they're coming up with these outrageous laws - trying to hold on a little longer. As the hispanic population continues to grow the Republican control will fade away.
Don't put the Honorable Senator - and war hero - McCain in the same sentence as Brewer in the way you have done here. Aside from any political beliefs or leanings, McCain is incredibly intelligent and very seriously wants what he believes is the very best America for all. Brewer, on the other hand, is a person who essentially stumbled into her current role when she ran against a hapless democrat in a staunchly republican state.
Feel free to disagree with McCain's politics. That's what makes our country great. But recognize that he is light years ahead of Brewer and countless other politicians from both parties in a great many ways.
Ed Burke-3968875
But on the bright side - "the Russians, I mean Hispanics are coming". Republican control in Arizona is coming to an end, and they know it. That's why they're coming up with these outrageous laws - trying to hold on a little longer. As the hispanic population continues to grow the Republican control will fade away.
You are right!!!!!
It's called INVASION.
And NOT undocumented alien.
This stuff on Jan Brewer is creampuff compared with the crap all you gave President Bush. I remember. Do you?????
Anyone but Obama,,,,,,,
Couldn't hurt,,,,,,
Certainly couldn't do worse!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You all blamed Bush for high gas prices, and yet our POTUS now says "Don't blame me!!!!"
GO FIGURE!!!!!!!!
IDIOT!!!!!
I blamed Bush for the two wars and the billions spent on it. The media did the rest. But, here is a governor who should have higher standards compared to the rest of the public at least in public appearances, but, she sell out as soon as her new book comes out. You tell me who is the idiot? The ones buying the book due to her "cajones," she sold out her governorship for media hype.
Perplexed, thank you!
Janet Brewer is an idiot.
Felony illegal immigrant prosecution up 42% in the first two years of Obama's administration.
Deportations up to 400,000+ per year (a record)
Illegals leaving on their own at about 1 million (estimated)
Obama knows a hell of a lot more about illegal immigration than she does. Because of his increased funding for ICE and border security, the illegal problem in AZ was dropping like a rock BEFORE she and her GOP buddies passed the papers please bill. In fact, a lot of people were wondering why they bothered, other than trying to make a political stunt out of it.
Where did you get those figures. Did Obozo send you a love letter? Not one of your so called facts are even close to being true. Jan Brewer made it very clear what she felt about Obozo. Your problem is you aren't use to honesty and it blew you away. The fact that you support Obozo speaks volumes. Jan Brewer became a hero to 2/3 of the American people that day. The only support Obozo has is illegal immigrants and idiots. Which one best describes you.
Classy, jeannie.
Some stats to blow your mind (spoiler alert, Alpha dog was right)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/08/16/debate-over-immigration-and-deportations-facts-matter
http://www.ice.gov/secure_communities/get-the-facts.htm
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/20/us-obama-immigration-idUSTRE78J05720110920
There are far more deportations under Obama than ever under Bush - in fact Obama's base and the Hispanic population is furious over the huge increase in deportations.
I know that this isn't covered by Foxnews but just look it up - you can use Google and do just a little research to find the data.
jeannie green, you're suspended for a day for violating #1 of the Code of Honor.