Axelrod suggests 'Tea Party' movement is 'unhealthy' (CNN)

[jefferson_dem]

CNN report -

Axelrod suggests 'Tea Party' movement is 'unhealthy'
Posted: 11:18 AM ET

From CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby

Axelrod is a senior adviser to President Obama.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Senior White House adviser David Axelrod on Sunday suggested the "Tea Party" movement is an "unhealthy" reaction to the tough economic climate facing the country.

Axelrod was asked on CBS's "Face the Nation" about the "spreading and very public disaffection" with the president's fiscal policies seen at the "Tea Party" rallies around the country last week.

"I think any time you have severe economic conditions there is always an element of disaffection that can mutate into something that's unhealthy," Axelrod said.

Axelrod appeared to backtrack when pressed on whether the movement is unhealthy.

"Well, this is a country where we value our liberties and our ability to express ourselves, and so far these are expressions," he said.

"The thing that bewilders me is that this president just cut taxes for 95 percent of the American people," Axelrod argued. "I think the tea bags should be directed elsewhere because he certainly understands the burden that people face."

<SNIP>

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/19/axelrod-suggests-tea-party-movement-is-unhealthy/

Now, check out what Axelrod actually said, and the question he was responding to -

VIDEO LINK - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvgJXRQDlz8

SMITH: What do you make of this spreading and very public disaffection with not only the government, but especially the Obama administration, the TEA parties this week? You even have the governor of Texas even using the word secession? Should Texas be allowed to secede?

AXELROD: Well, I don’t think that really warrants a serious response. I don’t think most Texans were all that enthused by the governor’s suggestion.

SMITH: But what about the first part of the question?

(CROSSTALK)

AXELROD: I think any time that you have severe economic conditions, there is always an element of disaffection that can mutate into something that’s unhealthy.

SMITH: Is this unhealthy?

AXELROD: Well, we’re -- this is a country where we value our liberties and our ability to express ourselves. And so far these are expressions.

Now, one thing I would say is -- the thing that bewilders me is this president just cut taxes for 95 percent of the American people. So I think the tea bags should be directed elsewhere, because he certainly understands the burden that people face

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003098395

[Enrique]

1. spreading disaffection with the government and Obama?

I'm surprised Axelrod didn't challenge the premise of the question. Do polls support it?

[Tarheel_Dem]

8. I, too, am dismayed that Axelrod didn't take that assertion to task.

Smith creates the illusion that this is widespread, without acknowledging that this movement was fomented and promoted by a "news" outlet. I agree that David should have torn down that premise.

[MADem]

2. Well, he has a point.

They don't make testicular condoms, now, do they?

[polichick]

3. Ignores the fact that most of those people have been whipped into anger...

...by media figures manipulating them by their fears ~ of black men, gay people, socialists, etc.

[Phred42]

4. Yes, Teabagging can be unhealthy

if not properly executed.....

:rofl:

[Cha]

5. Ahh, YEAH. It's "unhealthy" and dangerous for misinformed

people to rage on lies provided by fuxsux.

[Vinca]

6. If the teabaggers had a clue about what they were supposedly

protesting, it would be one thing. The event was a chance for every wingnut straddling the fence of psychosis to cart around an offensive sign and spew hatred. It has depressed the hell out of me to see just how vile some of them were. The Hitler sign carried by a moron who couldn't explain why he thought Obama was a fascist was a new low. Axelrod is right, but the "unhealthy" description should be applied to their collective mental state.

[AtomicKitten]

7. Inciting a mob of armed stupid people isn't ever a good idea. n/t