Obama scolds Boston for criticizing admin.'s economic policies in German press: "America's political differences end at the water's edge."
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Jason Seher (@jhseher) June 20, 2012During President Obama’s remarks tonight following the G20 international summit in Los Cabos, Mexico, he addressed an op-ed by Romney Campaign adviser Glenn Hubbard that was placed in a German newspaper. Obama did not take too kindly to having his policies criticized overseas, saying, “I would point out that we have one president at a time and one administration at a time. And I think traditionally, the notion has been that America’s political differences end at the water’s edge.”
Former George W. Bush White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer and former Bill Clinton adviser Paul Begala, both current CNN contributors, immediately reacted to the quote on Twitter, invoking President George W. Bush, albeit in very different ways:
Did the Pres really say that politics stop at the water's edge?? That sure wasn't how he treated George W. Bush…—
Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) June 20, 2012
Yes, politics stops at water's edge. Unless you're Dubya embarrassing America with p.r. stunt on aircraft carrier at sea.—
Paul Begala (@PaulBegala) June 20, 2012
Of course, some astute Twitter observers noted that President Obama was talking politics while in Mexico:
Did o just criticize Romney for speaking beyond "the waters edge" of our country? He's in Mexico!—
TeaPartyatPerrysburg (@tpartyatperrysb) June 20, 2012
POTUS smacks down the Romney campaign's big mouth. "Political differences end at the water's edge." He's on foreign soil, you idiots!—
(@mataharikrishna) June 20, 2012
And who could forget that infamous campaign stop in Germany:
did you say that when Obama CAMPAIGNED in Germany?? MT @politicoroger Traditionally America's political differences end at water's edge."—
Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) June 20, 2012
Duh, Obama you made speeches in Germany when you were running for President, I believe that is beyond the water's edge.—
Deborah Morrison (@ddmo8) June 20, 2012
More reaction from the Twitterverse:
How long will it take to find tapes showing Obama criticizing Bush's Presidency. water's edge? He's so full of it.—
(@mesamps) June 20, 2012
Obama has some nerve talking about how America's politics end at the water's edge, after his constant carping during the Bush years.—
Christa Cooper (@MissMarple2) June 20, 2012
In fairness to Romney, given that O is such a citizen of the world, which water's edge are we talking about?—
Rachel (@esqcapades) June 20, 2012
Apparently we're back to "politics ends at the water's edge" when there's a D in the WH.—
Christine (@cmdeb) June 20, 2012
And, of course, raaacist!!!
America's differences ended at the waters edge until we elected the first black POTUS.—
Mary Hussein Obama (@MWJ1231) June 20, 2012
Because it all comes back to that.
