Jaws dropped among NBC viewers just after President Bush's gracious White House speech today in the 10am hour of Today welcoming President-Elect Obama. NBC political analyst Chuck Todd accused Bush of looking like he "wanted to bask in the reflected glory of the history that was made...just like John McCain did last night." Todd also said it was striking since Bush was "the man who's probably more responsible for not just Obama's election but John McCain's defeat than anybody else." Todd also insisted Bush was "responsible" for all the GOP congressional losses. [audio available here]
Is this how NBC wants to greet two Republicans energetically offering gracious concessions? Trashing them for "basking" in Obama's glory? Here's a fuller transcript:
LAUER: Very gracious comments from the president during extremely difficult times for him this morning.
TODD: Incredibly gracious. I mean, it was as if he wanted to bask in the reflected glory of the history that was made. Very -- just like John McCain did last night. And it is more striking coming from the man who's probably more responsible for not just Obama's election but John McCain's defeat than anybody else.
LAUER: Not only the presidential level, but some stunning changes in the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well.
TODD: And that man was responsible, and he's going to be blamed for the problems of the Republican Party for months and maybe years to come.
Clearly, Bush and McCain are more gracious in defeat that NBC and Chuck Todd are in victory.
