How’s this for a State of the Union primer: Valerie Jarrett, President Obama’s closest adviser, attributed the gridlock and struggles of the last four years to a lack of patriotism among congressional Republicans.
“The president has always reached out, he’s always looked for balanced solutions,” Jarrett said today on Morning Joe. “I think part of our frustration in the first four years is oftentimes seeing Republicans put their short term political interests ahead of what’s in the best interest of the country.”
National Journal’s Ron Fournier reported that the White House was “stung by the coverage of the inaugural address” and would seek a less partisan tone during the State of the Union speech. Jarrett’s comments suggest that, even when the White House team is making an effort to be less partisan, they just can’t help themselves.
It also might confirm Michael Barone’s “suspicion that Obama may be actually sincere in believing that every decent person with common sense would share his views.”
