White House Press Secretary Jay Carney on Tuesday rejected an unnamed White House official’s claim that President Obama’s outreach to congressional Republicans is a joke.
National Journal earlier Tuesday published an article that quoted an unnamed White House official discussing the President’s recent charm offensive:
“This is a joke. We’re wasting the president’s time and ours,” complained a senior White House official who was promised anonymity so he could speak frankly. “I hope you all (in the media) are happy because we’re doing it for you.”
“I have no idea who said that,” Carney said at Tuesday’s press briefing, adding that the opinion has not been voiced in Obama’s presence.
“(The President) believes strongly that it is important to engage with lawmakers of both parties in order to find common ground so that we can move froward, not just on our budget issues, but on the other issues that confront us, and there is great opportunity to do that,” Carney said.
Carney said the the anonymous source’s quote “does not represent in any way the President’s view or the view of this White House.”
