Don’t Blame Me… I’m Just the President

If you don't believe me, the Washington Post has come to the same conclusion that I did. The Obama Administration is trying to insulate the President from two spectacular losses, and instead is trying to focus attention on New York 23. Let's see, two states that voted for Obama rejected Democrat Governor Candidates, one Congressional District in which the Republican Party was divided went to a Democrat. Which is more representative of America's feelings towards the President?  Will it be hours or days before SEIU's own Patrick Gaspard is sent back to New York?

President Obama's top advisers closed ranks around their boss Wednesday, declaring themselves unconcerned by Tuesday night's Democratic losses as they attempted to insulate the president from any political damage to his reputation and his legislative agenda.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters that the president viewed the Republican victories in New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races as referenda on local issues that reflect little on his policies in Washington.

"People went to the polls and voted on local issues not to either register support for or opposition to the president," Gibbs said. Asked whether moderate lawmakers might view the results differently, and worry about casting tough votes on Obama's priorities, Gibbs said no.

"I don't think they will and I'm not concerned," he said.

The coordinated White House response came as the Washington spin machine began coalescing around a very different message: that the Democratic losses – especially among independents – might be a leading indicator of trouble for Obama in 2010.

Independents, who were crucial to the president's election campaign, swung dramatically to Republicans in both state contests. If that pattern holds a year from now, Democratic lawmakers in swing districts could find themselves on the losing side of a reelection fight.

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White House officials rejected what they said was overhyped conclusions about the impact on Obama of losing the governorships in New Jersey and Virginia, and instead sought to focus attention on the Democratic victory in New York's 23rd congressional district.

See the full article here.