Axelrod Jabs Gingrich: ‘Higher a Monkey Climbs … More You Can See His Butt’
EmailNewt Gingrich has joked that God wanted him to be a bear, not a gazelle. But President Obama’s chief campaign strategist David Axelrod today said Gingrich is more like a monkey.
Speaking at a Washington press briefing, Axelrod said the former House speaker’s climb to the top of the pack will further expose his least flattering personal and professional qualities.
“Just remember, the higher a monkey climbs on a pole, the more you can see his butt,” Axelrod said, citing a piece of political wisdom he said he learned from a Chicago alderman. “So, the speaker is very high on the pole right now and we’ll see how people like the view.”
Axelrod chided Gingrich as an “extremist” whose role in the partisan fights of the 1990s helped lead to government shutdowns and the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. “His penchant for provocation is not going to help him deal with the shortfalls that he has right now among women, among seniors and some other key constituencies,” he added.
A spokesman for Gingrich declined to comment on Axelrod’s remarks but forwarded a copy of Gingrich’s letter to staff and supporters earlier today promising to run “a positive, solutions-based campaign.”
Axelrod also took swipes at former front-runner and Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, criticizing his litany of shifting positions on policy issues and business practices as the head of Bain Capital.
“What was startling to me [about the $10,000 bet in Saturday's debate] was that generally his practice has been to bet other people’s money, not his own,” Axelrod said of Romney. “That’s the way he ran his leveraged buyout business. They closed down hundreds of factories. They outsourced thousands of jobs. They took a lot of companies to bankruptcy and made a fortune off of those bankruptcies.
“When he says, ‘I understand the real economy,’ I think the American people understand that economy as well. And that aspect of the economy is one that they don’t appreciate and they don’t want to become the model for the future,” Axelrod said.
Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul responded to Axelrod in an email, saying the president’s campaign is trying to “blame someone else” for the lagging economy.
“In Barack Obama’s America, more people than ever before go to sleep each night without a job, on food stamps and with their homes facing foreclosure, and his response is to blame someone else,” Saul said.
“Americans are petrified about how they are going to make ends meet and they know President Obama just doesn’t get it. Mitt Romney is going to continue talking about the economy and President Obama’s failed economic legacy each and every day no matter what distractions the White House creates,” she said. “Just because President Obama skirts responsibility, doesn’t mean the American people won’t hold him accountable.”
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What would have happened if a Republican campaign strategist had joked about Obama this way? Think he’d still have a job?
Posted by: Zazu | December 13, 2011, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
What would have happened if a Republican campaign strategist had joked about Obama this way? Think he’d still have a job?
POSTED BY: ZAZU | DECEMBER 13, 2011, 3:36 PM 3:36 PM
They’re not that clever.
Posted by: Dane | December 13, 2011, 3:40 pm 3:40 pm
Axelrod has done the impossible-he just made Gingrich a simpathetic figure.If (and it is a big IF) Gingrich can keep to the high road this kind of stupid attack can only help him.If the Catholic convert can show that he has changed to the moral and “Christian” man his conversion would suggest then he could be a formidible foe-Americans love sinners who repent.Obama doesn’t have much else to go after him on except the moral issues. He certainly isn’t in Gingrich’s ballpark mentally.As least Gingrich writes his own books or gives credit to collaborators.
Posted by: Nephron | December 13, 2011, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
I mean they’re not that stupid.
Posted by: Dane | December 13, 2011, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
Klassy.
Posted by: MayBee | December 13, 2011, 3:48 pm 3:48 pm
Why was Axelrod be interested in Gingrich’s posterior? Hmmm-
Posted by: Nephron | December 13, 2011, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
The more Axelrod talks… the more he sounds like Hitler
OBAMA_________VS__________AMERICA
Posted by: Yep I said that | December 13, 2011, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
POSTED BY: YEP I SAID THAT | DECEMBER 13, 2011, 3:57 PM 3:57 PM
Axelrod isn’t that clever.
Posted by: Dane | December 13, 2011, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm
POSTED BY: SEARAMBLER | DECEMBER 13, 2011, 4:09 PM===The more you talk the more of your lame ass we can see everyday
Posted by: wact1 | December 13, 2011, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm
Axelwho?
Posted by: Mary | December 13, 2011, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm
Instead of focusing on the anatomy of potential opponents Mr. Axelrod would be well served to focus instead on conveying a positive message about President Obama’s accomplishments and his vision of the future. I voted for President Obama in 2008 and MAY do so again in 2012, but I am appalled by his inability to connect with the American people and his failure to inspire confidence. Mr. Axelrod and the the Obama campaign team must shift gears before it is too late.
Posted by: DominickSr | December 13, 2011, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm
I find Axelrod’s comments, more often than not, very superficial. This particular one is rather adolescent and not very clever.
Posted by: newcountryman | December 13, 2011, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
Another time you see his butt is when you really need him.
Posted by: newt's 3rd wife | December 13, 2011, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm
Axelrod should leave his obvious attempt at adolescent metaphors to someone else. He should have said, “What Gingrich should be concerned about now is the higher you get in the polls, the more scrutiny you and your past will come under”, and leave it at that.
Posted by: newcountryman | December 13, 2011, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
Hey Axlerod, what about Obam betting tax payer money on Solyndra, even after being warned not to, and a small pocks vaccine that has not even been tested by the FDA? Is it just a coincidence that tax payer money just happened to go to big Obama money donors for political paybacks or is that just the way the ball fell?
Posted by: specialty57 | December 13, 2011, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm
Come on you right wing nut jobs, it’s a Freudian slip from Axelrod. He said that while thinking abt another person. LOL,
Posted by: acdc2012 | December 13, 2011, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm
The longer Obama’s in the Oval Office, the more the economy and the nation suffers. Always trying to divert attention from the problems we face in light of Obama’s failed economic policies.
Posted by: s | December 13, 2011, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm
Paul is the only one that has a clue about why our economy is so screwed up. I certainly hope he wins and big media is kicked out of the pres room for what they do to undermine a presidential Candidate
Posted by: Jason | December 13, 2011, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm
Imagine if any Republican candidate or their advisors would have said this about Obama. The press would be SCREAMING racism, and calling for someone to be fired. But, because it is Axelrod, Obama’s mouthpiece, he gets a pass. Axelrod is slime.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | December 13, 2011, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm
It’s a very funny comment – never mind the right wing comments trying to tie in racism. And I think Axelrod is completely right – we’ll get to see it all and Gingrich has a lot to try to hide, and it won’t work.
Posted by: Bill | December 13, 2011, 7:05 pm 7:05 pm
Another classy comment by Mr. Astroturf Axelrod himself.
Posted by: RME KRNL | December 13, 2011, 7:31 pm 7:31 pm
Why is Axelrod looking at Newt’s hiney?
Inquiring minds want to know. Lol.
Posted by: ceeLeelee | December 13, 2011, 8:11 pm 8:11 pm
Obama in Arizona:
“We should be civil because we want to live up to the example of public servants like John Roll and Gabby Giffords, who knew first and foremost that we are all Americans, and that we can question each other’s ideas without questioning each other’s love of country and that our task, working together, is to constantly widen the circle of our concern”
Maybe he should talk to Axelrod.
Posted by: doug brockman | December 13, 2011, 8:25 pm 8:25 pm
All jokes aside, if an Republican had said this about obama, this would be the top story of the week, not just on the blogs, but in the mainstream media as well. People will be fired and careers ruined. We won’t even mention o’s hysterical supporters screaming racism as they hypocritically tell you what “kind” of people will say something like this.
The irony…
Posted by: ceeLeelee | December 13, 2011, 8:54 pm 8:54 pm
that we can question each other’s ideas without questioning each other’s love of country
POSTED BY: DOUG BROCKMAN | DECEMBER 13, 2011, 8:25 PM 8:25 PM
Where does Axelrod question Ginrich’s ‘love of country’? He questions Ginrich’s ‘personal and professional qualities’.
Posted by: June | December 13, 2011, 8:58 pm 8:58 pm
People will be fired and careers ruined.
POSTED BY: CEELEELEE | DECEMBER 13, 2011, 8:54 PM 8:54 PM
That would be up to the Republican’s campaign – a personal affair. Being on someone’s campaign staff is not a publicly funded position. It’s up to the candidate, no one else. Are you calling Republicans afraid to stand up for their beliefs?
Posted by: Denny | December 13, 2011, 9:09 pm 9:09 pm
Democrat or Republican, I really do not care. Axelrod’s comment was in poor taste and unbecoming of someone in his public position. The same goes for any Republican who might say something similar. It’s a sad day for this country when even manners become victim to partisanship.
Posted by: Ps&Qs | December 13, 2011, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm
“Speaking at a Washington press briefing, Axelrod said the former House speaker’s climb to the top of the pack will further expose his least flattering personal and professional qualities.”
Well, he surely got that right.
Posted by: Turner | December 13, 2011, 9:22 pm 9:22 pm
No. What I am talking about is the obama administration, the mainstream media, and his supporters’ hypocrisy. Axelrod, Maher and anyone else can say anything they please and it is ok with most on the left and that includes the media. If a Republican used those type of words against obama or someone in his administration, the screaming from o’s rabid supporters and the mainstream media would be deafening and obama himself would have to make an speech about “civil discourse” while wagging his finger at us. Of course, as is apparent, only one side is expected to practice this civil discourse.
I know you knew exactly what I meant when I wrote the initial comment. Now, go play or twinkle or something.
Posted by: ceeLeelee | December 13, 2011, 9:34 pm 9:34 pm
Gingrich never sold assault weapons to Mexican drug cartels or added $4 trillion in debt in three years with nothing to show for it (there’s a neat trick), resulting in the U.S.’s credit rating to drop, nor did he engage in class warfare or blame the country’s problems on another administration. I don’t know who should be president, but I’m convinced about who shouldn’t be.
Posted by: Paul R. | December 13, 2011, 10:01 pm 10:01 pm
Newt will not only drive away Independents and Democrats, but also Republican Voters.
He is exactly what we do not need, more of the same. With Obama and Holder in office, there is too much risk for Newt. We need real change, so vote for Ron Paul. Ron will bring in Independents and Democrats.
Posted by: Roy | December 13, 2011, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm
Nice talk from Obama’s friend. Show me your friends and I will know who you are.
Posted by: firedup49 | December 13, 2011, 10:35 pm 10:35 pm
President Obama and Michelle have been called much, much worse by Limbaugh and Republicans.
Posted by: midfield91 | December 13, 2011, 10:37 pm 10:37 pm
“President Obama and Michelle have been called much, much worse by Limbaugh and Republicans.”
Get real MIDFIELD91
While their New Black Panther friends insure they get relected at the polls. The crimes this administration has committed while the progressive media keeps the sheep in line is appalling. This country is doomed because the majority of Americans are too blind to see the truth.
Posted by: GetRealNow | December 13, 2011, 11:25 pm 11:25 pm
Just when you think Democrats couldn’t get any more debasing with their comments, along comes another one. What’s really sad is voters defending this behavior. How far society has fallen where this kind of loutish behavior from our political leaders is acceptable.
Posted by: Andy | December 13, 2011, 11:40 pm 11:40 pm
While their New Black Panther friends insure they get relected at the polls.
POSTED BY: GETREALNOW | DECEMBER 13, 2011, 11:25 PM 11:25 PM
You’re very poorly informed.
Criminal charges against the black panthers at the polls were dropped by the BUSH administration. The Obama administration OBTAINED a civil injunction against the one panther with the night stick. Ignorance of the truth is no excuse.
Posted by: Dave | December 13, 2011, 11:41 pm 11:41 pm
Only Fools and Monkies listen to AxelGrease.
What did he say, I wasn’t listening.
Posted by: Noz | December 13, 2011, 11:42 pm 11:42 pm
Posted by: Dave | December 13, 2011, 11:41 pm 11:41 pm
You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. There were two lawsuits. Criminal charges were dropped by the Bush DOJ. The Obama DOJ dropped the CIVIL charges against the Black Panthers, against the advice of federal prosecutors.
From Wikipedia:
“After the defendants did not appear for court, a default judgment was entered. On May 29, 2009, the Department of Justice requested and received an injunction against the member who had carried the nightstick, but against the advice of prosecutors who had worked on the case, department superiors ordered the suit dropped against the remaining members.”
In other words, Obama administration won the case but moved to dismiss the charges in May 2009. It was a race-based decision. Voter intimidation was obvious in video recordings posted on YouTube. A poll watcher who provided an affidavit to prosecutors in the case noted that Bartle Bull, who worked as a civil rights lawyer in the south in the 1960′s and is a former campaign manager for Robert Kennedy, said it was the most blatant form of voter intimidation he had ever seen. If you had attempted to intimidate voters this way, you would have been arrested and likely jailed.
Posted by: Susan | December 14, 2011, 9:36 am 9:36 am
POSTED BY: ACDC2012 | DECEMBER 13, 2011, 4:48 PM 4:48 PM, how come when someone connected with this administration, like Axelrod says stupid things you come to his defense and say its a slip, but when a republican says something stupid you jump all over him.
Posted by: Lizzie | December 14, 2011, 10:47 am 10:47 am
“They closed down hundreds of factories. They outsourced thousands of jobs. They took a lot of companies to bankruptcy and made a fortune off of those bankruptcies.”
So sad. Sigh…
Posted by: George Kaiser | December 14, 2011, 11:19 am 11:19 am
Axelrod needs to be the pivot man at the democratic circle jerk! A good debate is encouraged between the candidates, but this is not the first insult that Axelrod has spewed. He is a loose canon, and thinks he is part of the boys club, but he is still an outsider, an errand boy and when the DNC is finished with him, he will be as useful as a used condom.
Posted by: Anonymous American | December 15, 2011, 9:28 am 9:28 am