Reply #27: The complete Axelrod transcript from MSNBC from Poltiico... [View All]

[flpoljunkie]

January 29, 2008

Axelrod explains

David Axelrod, on MSNBC, offers an alternate explanation for that awkward moment on the floor:

I don't think he snubbed her at all. First of all, they acknowledged each other as they entered the chamber. But I think he knew that Senator Kennedy and Senator Clinton were friends. This was obviously an awkward day from that standpoint, and I don't think he wanted to stand there while Senator Kennedy was greeting Senator Clinton. And I think that was an appropriate sentiment. Unfortunately, the camera caught it in a different way, and so it got interpreted that way. And that's the kind of environment we're in right now. It's a very competitive race, so every little thing is going to be interpreted in that way. But it was really a matter of letting Senator Kennedy have his own conversation, his own greeting with Senator Clinton without him hovering over them.

...I think it's understandable that he would not want to stand there with Senator Kennedy as if he were lording it over her. You know, I understand that.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0108/Axelrod_explains_.html