Chuck Todd: GOP Actually to Blame for Obama Denying Red Line Comments

NewsBusters.org ^ | September 5, 2013 | Kyle Drennan

[Kaslin]

On Wednesday's MSNBC Daily Rundown, minutes after President Obama denied setting a "red line" on Syria's use of chemical weapons, chief White House correspondent Chuck Todd excused the obvious falsehood: "I think it was clear that the President was trying to depersonalize the Syria issue a little bit....to say, you know, 'Stop making this about the President personally, depersonalize this.'" [Listen to the audio or watch the video after the jump]

Following those instructions from Obama, Todd proceeded to blame Republicans for the President trying to distance himself from his own red line: "...there are some House Republicans who are looking at this only view – through the prism of their disagreements and dislike for President Obama rather than the policy itself. And so [the White House is] trying to make the policy argument, 'Forget who's in the seat as commander-in-chief, would the United States believe this was a red line no matter who was president?'"

NBC's Todd Blames GOP for Obama's Denial of Setting Syria Red Line

On NBC, Todd spun Obama contradicting himself as simply having "redefined" the red line. Todd declared: "The President is making the case that this is everybody's problem on Capitol Hill, everybody's problem in the world community."

Here is a transcript of the September 4 exchange:

KRISTEN WELKER: President Obama and the prime minister of Sweden wrapping up a news conference there in Stockholm. President Obama calling on the international community to take action in Syria. That press conference largely dominated by the topic of Syria.

I want to bring in my colleague and friend Chuck Todd, who is traveling with the President in Stockholm. Chuck, at times the President sounded defensive. He said, quote, "My credibility is not on the line, the international community's credibility is on the line." And he dodged a question about what he would do if Congress doesn't give him the green light. What were your takeaways?

CHUCK TODD: Well, Kristen, I think it was clear that the President was trying to depersonalize the Syria issue a little bit. And that red line explanation is one that senior advisors made over the weekend right after, you know, when they held a background briefing about the President's decision on Saturday, when he made that announcement that he was going to Congress. They were asked about this issue of the so-called red line.

It's a question – it came actually in response way back in August 2012. It was during the heat of the campaign, campaign press conference. And I had asked him about Syria, just simply about if he was concerned about the security of the chemical weapons. And then when he talked about it, that's when he indicated if the use of chemical weapons, that that would be a red line for him. And that's when that phrase first sort of entered the current political debate.

But on this issue, it seemed to me it was the White House's intention on Saturday, and the President today, to say, you know, "Stop making this about the President personally, depersonalize this."

And part of that reason, Kristen, is that there are some House Republicans who are looking at this only view – through the prism of their disagreements and dislike for President Obama rather than the policy itself. And so they're trying to make the policy argument, "Forget who's in the seat as commander-in-chief, would the United States believe this was a red line no matter who was president?" And that's been the argument they're making. That's the argument they're making on the Hill. We'll see if it works.

[Mastador1]

So it’s the Republicans fault that Obama is a fool, it’s their fault that Obama put himself in a position that he hasn’t got the balls to act on. Is there ever going to be anything Zero gets himself and America into that won’t be the fault and or responsibility of someone else?

[facedown]

toad·y [ tṓdee ]

1. somebody servile and ingratiating: a self-serving person who behaves in a servile sycophantic manner, fawning on and flattering people with power or influence
2. behave ingratiatingly: to behave in a servile sycophantic manner, fawning on and flattering people with power or influence in order to achieve an advantage

Synonyms: flatterer, sycophant, groveler, creep, crawler

[driftdiver]

Not one ounce of integrity.

[Toespi]

Was trying to say, meant to say, was trying to express.....is it too much to ask that the smartest, coolest man on the planet, when facing an international crisis and addressing the world, BE ABLE TO EXPRESS HIMSELF PRECISELY WITHOUT INTERPRETATION from his bootlickers?

[musicman]

[henkster]

Amerikan Pravda has spoken!

[potlatch]

Lol, you beat me here. His words need to be spread, he’s such a liar and people forget his exact words!

[dontreadthis]

should obama lose the vote and decide not to go, expect subtle snarky and vieled cntemptuous comments by obama directed at the American people and our form of government in the aftermath. he’s good at that

[null and void]

Stop making this about the President personally, depersonalize this

'Pick the Target, Freeze It, Personalize It and Polarize It.' - Saul Alinsky, Rules for Radicals.

Surprise, surprise, surprise you commie, it works both ways...

[headless_thompson_gunner]

Quien es mas macho?

[griswold3]

History has shown these ‘Progressives’ that their supporters will follow their kind of ‘logic’ because they make up historical ‘facts’.

[Billthedrill]

Say what, Chuckie? Your boy’s a jackass but it’s our fault for noticing?

[2ndDivisionVet]

While the leaders of the two superpowers are shaking hands for the camera in St. Petersburg, their navies are sending a different message. Here is the latest breakdown of the world's key navies in the Mediterranean theater of naval operations as of last night. By now it is likely woefully outdated, now that there are reports the Chinese have joined the fray too (not on the side of the 'free droning world').

[griswold3]

‘the Red Line for us’ meaning he was speaking on behalf of the world community. Kinda like Chris Matthews apologizing on behalf of all white people.

[School of Rational Thought]

Feinstein made this about Obama today in discussing all the opposition to Obama’s blood for ego ploy.

She basically said that Obama made a statement and now the US has to back him up or we look like paper tigers.

[abb]

Until our side learns how to fight these bastards - that means no quarter asked nor none given - we are bringing knives to a gunfight.

[onedoug]

Millions, unfortunately. Half the nation is fall-over stupid. Great endorsement of our education system.

[Navy Patriot]

Kinda like Chris Matthews apologizing on behalf of all white people.

Chris Matthews is White?

I thought he was red.

[Navy Patriot]

Great endorsement of our education system.

It is the purpose of our "educational" system.

[NonValueAdded]

Oh for the Sake of Pete