A pretty lousy kind — and, according to press secretary Jay Carney, the kind that’s currently occupying the White House. Confronted about the developing Veterans Affairs scandal during today’s press briefing, Carney reassured the press corps — and thus the country — that President Obama only found out about it recently. From the news, natch:
Per @PressSec, @BarackObama heard about the VA problems on the news
— Kirsten Kukowski (@kakukowski) May 19, 2014
VIDEO: White House: Obama Learned About The VA Scandal From News Reports http://t.co/8c5SBghd37
— Webber Steinhoff (@webbersteinhoff) May 19, 2014
Transcript:
Reporter: “When was the president first made aware of these problems, these fraudulent lists that were being kept to hide the wait times? When was he first made aware of those problems, and when did other White House officials — top White House officials — become aware of these problems?”
Carney: “If you mean the specific allegations that I think were reported first by your network out of Phoenix, I believe, we learned about them through the reports. I will double check if that’s not the case, but that’s when we learned about them.”
Sound familiar? It should.
'We learned about it on the news' — @PressSec Umm, we've heard this before.
— Sarah Isgur Flores (@whignewtons) May 19, 2014
This isn’t the White House’s first time playing the ignorance card before. And just like back then, citizens are calling B.S.:
Show me you care about the treatment of our nation's veterans by only hearing of problems at the VA on the news.
— Drew (@FigDrewton) May 19, 2014
If this admin STILL gets all of it's info from the freaking news, they're not just inept–they occupy jobs they shouldn't have.
— Krystle (@TarheelKrystle) May 19, 2014
A TV room with several monitors streaming news from every outlet would be cheaper than advisors and staff.
— Drew (@FigDrewton) May 19, 2014
https://twitter.com/Matthops82/status/468449313031331841
https://twitter.com/Matthops82/status/468451862744539138
The President who's first on the scene when a crappy NBA bench player comes out of the closet is just now finding out about the VA scandal.
— #NeverTrump (@OrwellForks) May 19, 2014
Admin claiming Obama isn't paying attention to what happens with VA? Bold move considering https://t.co/o2WYBDYLJ4
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) May 19, 2014
Not sure the route of "we heard about VA in media" is wise here for President "we take care of our own"
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) May 19, 2014
But Michael Sam.. RT @rickklein: Carney on VA scandal: "I'm sure you'll hear from him on this at some point soon."
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) May 19, 2014
President of immediate phone calls to gay athletes learned about VA Deaths in news reports.
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) May 19, 2014
If it's on ESPN, @BarackObama is fucking ON IT! Everything else.. Derp.
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) May 19, 2014
Commander in Chief of US MILITARY.. Learned of veterans deaths while reading jus iPad in the bathroom., that's what we're being told.
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) May 19, 2014
Take comfort, though:
Carney on VA scandal: "I'm sure you'll hear from him on this at some point soon."
— Rick Klein (@rickklein) May 19, 2014
When will @BarackObama speak on VA scandal? @PressSec says, "I am sure you will hear from him at some point"
— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) May 19, 2014
The White House is on it!
At "some point soon" President Obama will speak out as a detached observer to what is happening under his leadership in his administration.
— Rory Cooper (@rorycooper) May 19, 2014
We’re in capable hands, America.
Can we safely conclude that these problems have been allowed to get worse BECAUSE Obama only learns about them from the news?
— RBe (@RBPundit) May 19, 2014
***
Related:
Hogwash: President Liar Pants claims he heard about IRS targeting conservatives ‘from news’
‘This country has failed its veterans!’ Stacey Dash appalled by deaths at Phoenix VA
Actor Ken Wahl: Instead of fundraising, Obama should visit corrupt Phoenix VA
Dean Cain: ‘Like Obamacare? Check out the VA hospital scandal’
