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White House communications director apologizes to Krauthammer; Krauthammer responds
In a statement posted on the White House’s website on Tuesday afternoon, White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer revealed an email he sent to Charles Krauthammer offering an apology to syndicated columnist and Fox News Channel regular over a back-and-forth about a bust of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Krauthammer asked that the apology — which even included an endorsement for Krauthammer’s favorite Major League Baseball team, the Washington Nationals — be made public, and Pfeiffer obliged:
Charles,
I take your criticism seriously and you are correct that you are owed an apology. There was clearly an internal confusion about the two busts and there was no intention to deceive. I clearly overshot the runway in my post. The point I was trying to make – under the belief that the Bust in the residence was the one previously in the Oval Office– was that this oft repeated talking point about the bust being a symbol of President Obama’s failure to appreciate the special relationship is false. The bust that was returned was returned as a matter of course with all the other artwork that had been loaned to President Bush for display in his Oval Office and not something that President Obama or his Administration chose to do. I still think this is an important point and one I wish I had communicated better.
A better understanding of the facts on my part and a couple of deep breaths at the outset would have prevented this situation. Having said all that, barring a miracle comeback from the Phillies I would like to see the Nats win a world series even if it comes after my apology
Thanks,
Dan Pfeiffer
The controversy began last week after Krauthammer criticized Obama’s foreign policy in his Friday column, noting that the White House returned the bust of Churchill to the British Embassy. When Pfeiffer incorrectly denied that the bust was returned, Krauthammer published a response on Sunday night laying out his case and saying, “The decent thing to do, therefore, would be to acknowledge the (inadvertent?) deception and apologize for it.”
Boobie the Rocket Dog
August 1st, 2012
So… is that Pfeiffer sneaking a little afternoon delight at the DC Super8? The established fact that DC is “full of cornpone pussy”* doesn’t necessarily mean all female, does it Danny boy?
*Ray Liotta in “Hannibal”
Justsomebody
August 1st, 2012
Hmmm, internal confusion and White House aren’t
terms I like to hear associated with each other.
But considering the current admin. I’m not surprised.
General P. Malaise
August 1st, 2012
piss poor apology.
I thought an apology meant your are truthful and contrite. this is just damage control for being caught lying.
apology not accepted. …Charles will accept it I wont.
jayne
August 1st, 2012
Other than saying “you’re owed an apology” I don’t read it as an apology. Sounds more like an opportunity to explain how he/Pfeiffer was really correct.
Goldenfoxx
August 1st, 2012
Dick Morris and others are right when they say the people in the White House do not know what they are doing. They have shown who they are over and over again. It’s both comical and scary. Obummer is a wimp, the worst president ever.
Twellsy
August 1st, 2012
I’m glad the Hammers on our side.
Anonymous
August 1st, 2012
‘no intention to deceive’?
Yeah, right….
CharlieWalksonWater
August 1st, 2012
Satan must be checking the thermometer in hell.
Must buy Viking tickets before the rush, ‘cuz if hell is freezing over, the Vikings will win the superbowl.
Stirrin the B.S.
August 1st, 2012
Is that Tom Bodette, the next White House spokesman?
We’ll leave the lights on for ya, Mitt.
jmb
August 1st, 2012
I don’t buy the apology. Brits offered to let Obama keep the bust and he refused. Confusion, my *ss
Tony R
August 1st, 2012
Typical leftist’s idea of an apology. “I agree you are owed an apology” followed not by an apology but more B.s. on why he, pfeifer is right.