"We'll always have Paris. We didn't have, we'd lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night."
So famously said Humphrey Bogart to Ingrid Bergman in the marvelous conclusion of one of the greatest films of all time, "Casablanca."
On Wednesday, MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell shamelessly used a version of this line on White House advisor David Axelrod.
During her interview about yesterday's election results, including Bill Owens' victory in New York's 23rd Congressional district, Mitchell asked Axelrod about the Obama campaign documentary aired on HBO Tuesday.
This led to the following exchange that is guaranteed to make Bogie and Bergman roll over in their graves (video embedded below the fold):
Well, we loved you in the HBO documentary, and we'll always have the New York 23rd.
We loved you? What does Mitchell mean by "we"?
Beyond which, is it sound journalism to tell a White House advisor you love him?
And how about "We'll always have the New York 23rd"?
For those unfamiliar, "We'll always have Paris" is a remarkably endearing moment between two separated lovers who will be forever apart but will always remember the wonderful time they shared in their past.
Is that how Mitchell feels about Bill Owens' victory Tuesday?
Would it hurt for the folks at MSNBC to at least try and pretend they're not totally in the tank for Obama and his administration?
Now, that scene will NEVER be the same again!