White House Faults GOP Candidates for Not Chastising Unruly Audience Members at Debates

ABC News ^ | September 26, 2011 | Jake Tapper and Mary Bruce

[Oldeconomybuyer]

The White House today added to the president’s criticism the night before of the audiences at Republican presidential debates, chastising the GOP candidates for staying silent in the face of objectionable eruptions by some members of the audience.

At a fundraiser in California on Sunday night, President Obama said of the debates, “You’ve got audiences cheering at the prospect of somebody dying because they don’t have health care and booing a service member in Iraq because they’re gay. That’s not reflective of who we are.”

White House press secretary Jay Carney elaborated on the president’s remarks, saying, “There was a question asked by a soldier about ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and the fact that when he was booed by audience members, not a single one of the candidates said a thing about that."

Earlier this month, Carney refused to condemn Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa Jr., who called Tea Party members “sons of bitches” at a labor event the president attended.

“I understand that there is a ritual in Washington that, you know, somebody says something and you link the associations and then everybody who has an association with him or her is somehow — has to avow or disavow it,” Carney said, adding that the president wasn’t on stage at the time and “didn’t hear it. … Mr. Hoffa speaks for himself. … The president speaks for himself.”

[newzjunkey]

I have no problem with him asking the question. It was a timely since the policy had literally just changed and these are would-be Commanders-in-Chief.

As far as Santorum's tortured answer, since it was undone by an act of congress DADT would have to be revived by the congress.

The question should've gone to Romney or another candidate. We learned nothing about Santorum that we didn't know.

[APatientMan]

I would have asked what he would do to win the war and get us home. His opinion of what I did in bed would have been pretty low on my list.

[Arrowhead1952]

Carney said, that the president wasn’t on stage at the time and “didn’t hear it. … Mr. Hoffa speaks for himself. … The president speaks for himself.”

Hey dope head. I bet there are a number of sound clips 0 bummer can listen to and hear that remark. Just like the "I've campaigned in all 57 states, but may have missed one or two" comment you made in the 2008 campaign.

[GOPJ]

Let the White House rebuke Hoffa first.

Thanks! And another thanks for getting your comment in at the top of the thread... Good job, Richard.

[roaddog727]

What about James Hoffa, Mr. Zero? Hmmmmmmm?

Jam it.

[marygam]

Mark Levin and your assessment are correct. I was there and the soldier was not booed, but rather the question he asked. I for one am getting sick and tired of all this nonsense this WH spews!

[cpdiii]

Wait until you hear about how the government wants to make Child sex aqbuse no longer a criminal act! It’s in store

My kids are all grown now. However, if a grandchild of mine is molested, or one of my sons or daughter in laws is killed, the state will have the first chance at justice. If the state fails, justice will not.

The most dangerous man is an old man with not a hell of lot left to lose. Do not mug an old man. He knows he can not beat you in a fight, therefore he will kill you.