The first is an ongoing pattern in which the political world holds President Obama to a standard unlike his predecessors. It’s not as if other recent presidents weren’t photographed making awkward salutes – see the image included above – but the difference is the media and the president’s critics didn’t consider it important, and Democratic campaign committees didn’t use it as the basis for an election. When other presidents issue executive orders, it’s fine. When Obama does it, Republicans insist it’s scandalous. When other presidents rely on “czars,” it’s fine. When Obama does it, Republicans insist it’s scandalous. When other presidents make recess appointments, it’s fine. When Obama does it, Republicans insist it’s scandalous. When other presidents decide not to defend certain federal laws against court challenges, it’s fine. When Obama does it, Republicans insist it’s scandalous. Other presidents have bowed when meeting foreign heads of state. They’ve tried terrorist suspects in federal courts. They’ve played plenty of golf. They were photographed wearing casual attire in the Oval Office. They’ve made awkward salutes. But when this president has done the exact same things, his detractors have turned the meaningless incidents into controversies. I’m all for holding Obama to high standards. I just wish he wasn’t held to a different standard than other presidents. -Rachel Maddow
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 21:20:05 +0000
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