Marc Thiessen Author. Speechwriter.

New levels of presidential disrespect?

In his column today, my Post colleague Dana Milbank tries to link Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s comments about President Obama to recent Republican criticism of the president, declaring “Republicans… have reached new levels of presidential disrespect.” His evidence? Comments Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) made defending BP, which were roundly criticized by his GOP colleagues, and Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) criticizing Obama at a political rally “over comments he says (and the White House denies) the president made in a private meeting.”

This amounts to “new levels of presidential disrespect?” Seriously?

Perhaps Dana forgot this Post story from 2005, “Reid Calls Bush a ‘Loser.’” Mike Allen reported: “The Senate's top Democrat, Harry M. Reid of Nevada, called President Bush a ‘loser’ yesterday just about the time Air Force One was touching down on foreign soil.” Allen also noted that, “Two weeks ago, Reid essentially called Bush a liar when Vice President Cheney said he agreed with Senate Republicans about changing the filibuster rule” on the confirmation of judges.

Or how about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declaring Bush a “total failure” in a 2008 a CNN interview: “God bless him, bless his heart, president of the United States -- a total failure,” Pelosi said mockingly.

Read Full Article