NBC's Mitchell Berates Republican: Are You Just 'Too Busy' to Meet With Obama?
NBC's Andrea Mitchell, hosting her self-titled MSNBC show on Wednesday, got into a bit of a tiff with Republican Senator John Barrasso over, of all things, a scheduling conflict. Mitchell opened her broadcast of Andrea Mitchell Reports asking why the Republicans delayed a meeting with the President as she whined: "How about that for setting a new tone of bipartisanship in Washington?" Then the NBC News correspondent brought on Barrasso to explain the great slight to the President as she pestered: "Senator so what happened? You guys are just too busy tomorrow?"
Mitchell even brought up the complaint via her Twitter account where she compared it to when a then House Speaker Newt Gingrich once complained about his seating arrangement on Air Force One during the Clinton administration:
Dissing POTUS -sources say white house wanted to meet, GOP "couldn't" - is this like newt complaining abt his seat on af1? could backfire?
The following is the full exchange as it was aired on the November 17 edition of Andrea Mitchell Reports:
(video after the break)
ANDREA MITCHELL: And good day. I'm Andrea Mitchell live in Washington. We'll begin with the President's big meeting with congressional leaders scheduled for tomorrow. Now delayed? How about that for setting a new tone of bipartisanship in Washington?
(Begin clip)
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL: When we return from the Thanksgiving break, Republican and Democratic leaders will have the opportunity to discuss these priorities with the President in a meeting at the White House. I'm looking forward to the meeting. And to the opportunity to share with the President, again, the areas where we agree.
(End clip)
MITCHELL: Wyoming Republican Senator John Barrasso who was just re-elected as vice chairman of the Senate Republican Conference and joins me now from Capitol Hill. Senator, so what happened? You guys are just too busy tomorrow?
SEN. JOHN BARRASSO: I'm not sure what's up with the details of the scheduling, Andrea, but I'm interested in working with the President because he talked about earmarks, the Republican caucus just yesterday, our conference got together and said, "You know, no earmarks for the next two years." The Democrats, Harry Reid said, "Oh no we still love those earmarks." Apparently the Democrats haven't heard the message of cut the spending, cut this growth in government, get the deficit and the debt under control. It's fascinating to listen to, to what the tin ear is out there is of the folks who just haven't heard the message from the voters.
MITCHELL: Well talking about the message from the voters, people want to see things done. We've got the deficit. We've got two wars going on, the START treaty road blocked. There's certainly enough to talk about. So when the President invites a bipartisan group from Congress to come to the White House, why would Republicans say, "We're too busy, let's reschedule it later after Thanksgiving?"
BARRASSO: I don't know what happened on the House side with Speaker-elect Boehner. You may want to check with him on that, but I'm looking forward to working with the President on things like control of earmarks which, as we know is one of the gateway problems of the big spending problems in this country. We need to go towards a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. That's what the Republicans voted for yesterday, cutting the size of government, getting spending down to 2008 levels. Those are all important things.
—Geoffrey Dickens is the Senior News Analyst at the Media Research Center. You can follow him on Twitter here
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Comments
Perhaps they have some
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 4:13pm.
Perhaps they have some importatnt things like making a budget or passing tax related issues? Mitchell needs to understand the world does not revolve around the President. I dont think she gets the equality of the branches.
What happened?
Submitted by Cactus Kurt on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 4:14pm.
Andrea, it takes a while for Obama's enemies to get to the front of the bus.
Andrea...
Submitted by rockyracoon on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 4:36pm.
It's not that I'm too busy, it's that I don't know how to golf.
Facts are like kryptonite to the liberal.
(duplicate entry - deleted)
Submitted by Galvanic on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 6:07pm.
Deleted
Good point
Submitted by Galvanic on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 5:00pm.
But think of how much more quickly the President and the GOP Senators can find Nicole Simpson's "killer" if they hold regular meetings out there.
As for Andrea Mitchell, perhaps she can explain why it took 18 months for the President to invite the Senate Minority leader to the White House. Busy schedule? Couldn't he cancel a golf day? Play 9 holes instead of 18? Talk to McConnell why he practiced his putting on the WH putting green?
The Joy Behar of NBC News
Submitted by libBuster on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 5:12pm.
Andrea is rapidly becoming the Joy Behar of NBC News. I suppose she was too busy to report that Obama could not find the time to meet iwth Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona.
Andrea's bias is just over the top.
Andrea: "Waa-Waa-Waa"
Submitted by merly1 on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 7:05pm.
It's tough for libs after this last election.......how quickly did Obama meet with Repubs after winning election in 2008, BTW?
Good news for Andrea Mitchell!
Submitted by Galvanic on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 11:18pm.
There is a report that someone intends to remake The Wizard of Oz.
If so, that means there'll be a call for auditions. Andrea, don't miss this golden opportunity.
No one in the lame street
Submitted by Barack_must_go..... on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 4:37pm.
No one in the lame street media had a problem with Obama dissing minority leader McConnell for 18 months while the democrats were in total control of all three houses after the 2008 elections.
Now they have a problem with the Republicans not asking ' how high ' when Obama says jump.
It was rude and presumptuous of the Ass Clown to announce this ambush ( special so-called bi-partisan ( my ass ) meeting/last supper arrangement ) between the Obama Socialist Regime et al and the Republican party without first speaking to opposition leaders.
He forgets he is not in power any longer, precluding this sort of behavior from flying, other than right back in his arrogant face like it has this time.
He said they treat him like a dog, hopefully they can train him properly or at the very least a few neat tricks.
Barack_Must_Go.....
“He said they treat him
Submitted by ninerdog on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 4:52pm.
“He said they treat him like a dog, hopefully they can train him properly or at the very least a few neat tricks.”
My dogs take offence to this. They are treated better than I am. They get pissy if they don’t have filtered water with a twist of lemon in it for crying out loud. It’s in insult to any dog owner and demeaning to the dog to move them that far down on the intellectual food chain. :)-
Hear, here, ninerdog. And I
Submitted by ML Stovall on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 6:12pm.
Hear, here, ninerdog. And I have two Labs that would concur loudly as well.
Ouch....LOL.....
Submitted by nonncom on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 4:45pm.
Yes, it does take some time to get out of the back end of that bus, doesn't it....the liberal press....a bunch of maroons....
bozo barry
Submitted by charlietexas on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 4:48pm.
isnt bozo barry leaving the country again?? the liberals are idiots
THUS SPEAKETH THE SKANK
Submitted by Sgthulka on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 5:03pm.
From her MSNBC perch.
Yup, The Dusty Ol' Mummy always plays it right down the middle
Submitted by SickofLibs on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 5:13pm.
No partisanship for her... except for her tweets looking like DNC talking points.
And please, can she not afford a decent wig? Sheesh.
What Andrea?
Submitted by Boudin on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 5:25pm.
"How about that for setting a new tone of bipartisanship in Washington? Who the heck said anything about bipartisan you creep. I hope to make you leftist an endangered speciesWe survived 2 years of Obama ignoring us, what's the hurry?
Submitted by JakeMo on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 5:36pm.
Obama: "Uhh, I, uhh, have had no time available to meet with Republicans for nearly two years, but I, uhh, do have a time available on Friday between 12:30 and 1pm. If you, uhh, can't make it, I guess you, uhh, don't want to work together."
"Oh yeah, and uhh, you can go sit in the back with my other enemies."
No pre-conditions
Submitted by JakeMo on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 5:56pm.
I'm sorry, I think this is actually what was said:
ANDERSON COOPER: President Obama, would you meet with Republicans without pre-conditions?
OBAMA: I would. Uhh, and the reason is this, that the notion that somehow not talking to Republicans, uhh, is punishment to them, uhh -- which has been the guiding diplomatic principle of this administration -- is ridiculous.
(APPLAUSE)
I am so happy.......
Submitted by Tomorama on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 5:37pm.
For the first time in months, I am FN proud of my republican party as a whole (sans Jerkowski), pretty much Anwea, da mean Republicans are setting the rules of engagement, by first telling Oblunder F U, we won.
Funny how that thing about paybacks is soooo true Anwea, boo, F N Hoo.
Have a happy and safe Holiday Republicans, and come back refreshed and to do the "peoples business".
Pelosi had ONE conversation in 9 MONTHS with the ranking Republican and remember she said "We won" as well. Paybacks to a bitch or are a bitch? ....
Congrats are in order for Pelousy by the way and THANK YOU Democrats, Shuler would have been a much better pick as he is smart and want's to work on issues, Pelousy will just be a constant reminder of the ineptitude of the party.
I love Chritmas in November.......
I love it when the liberals
Submitted by Benjamin on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 6:18pm.
start talking about bipartisanship and compromise, after THEY lose. I tend to agree with the piece Michelle Malkin wrote about the issue. After two years of being abused by these people, called a racist, a domestic terrorist, a homophobe, an islamophobe and whatever else - they can take their olive branch and shove it!
These dim witted journalist
Submitted by gruyere cheese on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 8:30pm.
These dim witted journalist (Ms. Mitchell) cannot accept the fact the new House of Reps will not shoot from the hip when making decisions on the issues that are so troubling to us Americans. Is this reaction that got us in the mess we are in as a country in the first place.
These liberals had a laundry list in their agenda the minute they backed up this puppet they call their leader, and went forward implementing each and everyone one of them without any regard for what the voters wanted.
Just because their so-called "Messiah" summoned House members for a meeting tomorrow does not mean that they have to bow and accept his invitation. Obama owes them the same respect anyone gives him when he is limited on time for a meeting.
Yes, Ms. Andrea; Americans voted for change November 2nd, but it does not mean that change has to come overnight and shoved down our throats before Thanksgiving!
This woman needs to retire from TV and maybe go on to sell "wigs" on some shopping network!
My guess is that the reason
Submitted by billb on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 9:04pm.
My guess is that the reason for the delay is that Illinois is delaying calling the election for Kirk until the end of November. Kirk will replace Burris, Obama's standin.
Mrs Greenspan is a snooty witch.
Submitted by Thalpy on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 9:43pm.
Not everything can or should be done on Obama's terms. There may well be a conflict, but some among us may not appreciate what amounts to a summons from the White House.
MS. Mitchell
Submitted by Funbowhunter on Thu, 11/18/2010 - 1:11am.
I really hope you read this. Elections have consequences. The election of 2006 had the consequence, which you support, of increasing government spending, beuracracy, and the basic liberal agenda. The Democrats pushed us into the crises we are currently dealing with. Because of the socialist overeach we had the "shallacking" which was historic in proportions.
Just like Rahm, we are not interested in compromise. We do not want to continue "YOUR" policies which got us in this mess.
So please do us all a favor, retire so we don't have to listen to you any more.
Where has Obama been all this
Submitted by Cowboy on Thu, 11/18/2010 - 1:47am.
Where has Obama been all this time?
On vacation?