[Updated, below.]
Well, another day, another California fundraiser, another occasion for President Barack Obama to say some idiot nonsense about his constituents. The only difference is that instead of Mayhill Fowler, it's the New York Times' Jeff Zeleny chronicling the remarks for posterity:
A gaggle of sign-waving protesters milled around outside The Beverly Hilton, the sprawling hotel on Wilshire Boulevard. They must have caught the president's eye when he arrived at the hotel from an earlier stop in Las Vegas because he relayed one of their messages to the crowd.
"One of them said, "Obama keep your promise,' " the president said. "I thought that's fair. I don't know which promise he was talking about."
The people in the audience - who paid $30,400 per couple to attend - laughed as they ate a dinner of roasted tenderloin, grilled organic chicken and sun choke rosemary mashed potatoes.
[S]ince he asked, how about an end to the HIV ban, an end to the military ban and a federal recognition of full civil equality for gay married couples? Three clear promises.
Any of those ring a bell?
Meanwhile, The Advocate reported today that White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, pressed on the issue of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," twice "reverted to his standard talking points on the subject."
And, by the way, one of those protestors at the fundraiser? Lt. Dan Choi, who was once allowed to participate in the defense of this country:
UPDATE: People, people, people. If it helps you, psychologically, to embrace this interpretation of events, in which Obama is "happy to know people are pushing him to keep his promises," well, you go right ahead! Heck, maybe I am being oversensitive, with the White House stalling on "Don't Ask Don't Tell" and whatnot. To echo Sullivan, perhaps I "jumped too soon." But, I'll point out, again, that Obama's "I don't know what promise" quip drew "laughter" from the people at the fundraiser. Who do you think the White House feels an obligation to? The protesters outside that fill Obama's heart with such GOLLYDARNED happiness to be reminded of his obligations? Or the people who paid $30,400 to hear him josh about them? Good luck answering that question!
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