Jan Brewer, Obama Face Off Over Book, Immigration Issues

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer traded words with President Obama after she greeted him at a Phoenix airport Wednesday.

Brewer and Obama "spoke intensely for a few minutes" after he landed at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, according to a White House pool report. At one point, the GOP governor shook her finger at the president.

"He was a little disturbed about my book," Brewer told a reporter after the incident, referring to her political memoir, "Scorpions for Breakfast." In the book, Brewer depicted Obama as "patronizing" during an earlier meeting.

"I said to him that I have all the respect in the world for the office of the president," Brewer said. "The book is what the book is. I asked him if he read the book. He said he read the excerpt. So."

Brewer said Obama told her "that he didn't feel I had treated him cordially."

"I said I was sorry he felt that way but I didn't get my sentence finished," Brewer said. "Anyway, we're glad he's here. I'll regroup."

The last time Obama met with Brewer was June 2010, when the Arizona governor visited the Oval Office for a private, 30-minute encounter the White House called a "good meeting." At the time, Brewer said the meeting was "very cordial," but in her book she said Obama had been "condescending."

During Wednesday's encounter, Brewer handed Obama a handwritten letter asking him to sit down with her to discuss the "Arizona comeback."

"I thought we probably would've talked about the things that were important to him and important to me, helping one another," Brewer said of a potential meeting with the president. "Our country is upside down. Arizona was upside down. But we have turned it around. I know again that he loves this country and I love this country."

This isn't the first time Obama and Brewer have disagreed. In October, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought on by Brewer that accused the Obama administration of failing to enforce immigration laws or maintain control of her state's border with Mexico.

Comments

[venice6]

03:42 PM on 02/06/2012

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/430167_346000152090448_153964677960664_1241731_1455337742_n.jpg

Without the Fox filters.

[venice6]

03:35 PM on 02/06/2012

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/395872_347024011988062_153964677960664_1245083_1275833018_n.jpg

more accurate.

[sirfascist]

12:04 AM on 02/04/2012

Big sigh. Okay, people. I'll try to phrase my opinion in the form of something less offensive to Huff Post's delicate sensibilities. I believe that what this woman did is merely another example that the Republicans are approaching the sedition threshhold very fast and the United States does not look kindly upon traitors. Or censors.

[Alva Vargas]

03:08 PM on 02/14/2012

Your clueless!

[sirfascist]

07:55 PM on 02/17/2012

And you are irrelevant so shoo fly.

[sirfascist]

11:56 PM on 02/03/2012

Alright, what is so disturbing to the Huff censors about my last comment that they actually deleted it? Please don't tell me the censorship is here now too.

[chocolate cherries]

01:49 AM on 02/03/2012

I believe everyone has this picture all wrong. I think she is saying "Suck on my finger, you uber sexy man."

[Alva Vargas]

05:58 PM on 02/03/2012

I think your on the wrong blog!??! Just saying!!!

[chocolate cherries]

07:24 AM on 02/04/2012

Lol...just trying to put a human face on the ghoul. Really, nothing human about her.

[Alva Vargas]

03:06 PM on 02/14/2012

I think it's more like "I'm on to you!"

[Renfield101]

03:31 PM on 02/01/2012

I'm sorry but this is really poor form and badly done Hurrington post. There was nothing aout this video that suggested that this was a "tense exchange". Is H.P. trying to out Fox, Fox Networks sorry journalism?

[Alva Vargas]

04:02 PM on 02/01/2012

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your comment. YOu are truly rational and logical despite if this president is democrat or republican. Thank YOu!

[Brushpuppy]

01:13 AM on 02/03/2012

She was making a point over the drone of aircraft engines! That is why he has his head so close to her's. She should have waited until they were in private or was she just photo opting to look tough to her backers? She does have some meritable points to make on illegal immigration. Hope he listened to them.

[Michael Gorecki]

03:43 PM on 01/31/2012

Wow, a Tea Party Gov. ragging on a Black, Liberal, Democratic President... who'd a thunk?

[mc gatty]

09:47 PM on 01/31/2012

Obama is hardly democratic just because he's a Democrat.

[Alva Vargas]

03:55 PM on 02/01/2012

That's right and why wasn't he impeached after he "dissed" Governor Brewer "twice" after she asked him for help with the invasion of illegals and cartel in Arizona? But takes action and sues to stop her bill when she was forced to take matters into her own hands and started the infamous immigration bill to protect the people of Arizona and do the job that the federal government wasn't doing and the president refused to help her with because of his "agenda". The real reason he sued to stop the Arizona bills from passing? To safeguard 20 million illegal votes that he would have if he's successful in granting amnesty and also as promised to the hispanic interest groups that gave him 1 million dollars to help him get elected and in return Obama promised amnesty to the illegals. He sooooo has to go!

[zydecoguru]

09:10 AM on 01/31/2012

Really classy Governor Brewer, you write things about President Obama in your "book" and get mad because he checked you on what you wrote. Nag on...

[Alva Vargas]

07:24 PM on 01/31/2012

Did you read her book or just talking smack? Maybe she's pissed-off because in 2010 when she asked him for help on the invasion of illegals and cartels in Arizona and that American families living on the border were being murdered, etc. he "dissed" her then she asked him again to come personally and see how bad things were for himself and "dissed" her again but then when she took matters into her own hands to protect the people of Arizona with her infamous bill THEN he swoops down and sues to stop her bill because he wants to safeguard the almost 20 million illegals in the US for his election in 2012 and because he promised the hispanic interest groups that gave him 1 million to help him get elected that he would grant them amnesty. Why he didn't get impeached for suing a state he is suppose to protect is unbelievable!!

[Brushpuppy]

01:24 AM on 02/03/2012

Brewer was breaking Federal laws. He just wanted it to be a Federal thing and not a state run opposition. Put our troops on the borders................now.

[zydecoguru]

08:42 PM on 02/21/2012

are you serious? please show, in the judicial history of this country, where a president was "impeached" for "suing a state he is suppose to protect..."

[shady04]

01:46 AM on 01/31/2012

THIS IS THE MOST DEGRADING THING I 'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE TO THE HIGHEST OFFICIAL OF THE LAND. I KNEW THEY DON'T RESPECT THE PRESIDENT, NOW THIS ROW GOVENOR DECIDED TO PUSH THE BOTTON FOR ALL THE TEA PARTY MEMBERS AND HER FELLOW REPUBLICANS. WHAT I WANT HER TO KNOW, SHE WOULDN'T EVER HAVE PUT HER FINGER IN THE PRESIDENT'S FACE IF MRS. OBAMA WAS WITH HIM. WHAT SHE DID WAS DISRESPECTFUL. WHO SHE THINK SHE IS ? I'M SO SICK AND TIRED OF PEOPLE DISRESPECTINGE THE PRESIDENT, LIKE HE'S THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLMS OF THE COUNTRY. BY HER BEING SO DISRESPECT, ONLY SHOWED THE DESENT PEOPLE OF THIS
COUNTRY HER HOME TRAINING. WHICH IS POOR TO NONE. I DON'T CARE IF SHE DID IT TO LATE REGAN, IT IS DISRESPECTFUL. I WISH I COULD DO MY BOSS LIKE THAT. WHAT REALLY MAKE IT SO SAD, THIS SOCIETY OF PEOPLE EATS THAT KIND OF MESS UP.YOU TAKE A POOL ON THAT TODAY ON WHAT SHE DID,WHAT SHE DID WOULD WIN, HANDS DOWN. WELL, I GUESS SHE WILL BE THE VP ON SOMEONES' TIRCKET. I WILL ALWAYS PRAY FOR OUR PRESIDENT. HE NEED IT WITH PEOPLE LIKE HER.

[mc gatty]

09:45 PM on 01/31/2012

Two more things: I don't think Obama needs your prayers to handle a minor conflict that he precipitated, and--if only because you come off like a half-naked, dirty man yelling outside a Walmart--move your pinky the 1/8 of an inch it takes to turn off caps lock.

[shady04]

02:22 AM on 02/01/2012

You are a complete idiot. Why you wouldn't just be an idiot . Whatever was on that woman's mind, wasn't the place or time for it ! So her ignorant behind showed the country what she does when she thinks someone has mistreated or don't sub-come to her in the manner SHE want them to . She would have did the same thing in the house of worship. You can ramble all you want on this subject and agree with that low life, there wasn't the place for it . The president might have been a part to it doesn't give her card blanche to go renegade on him . She's acting like a person in a gangs....... no control. If you want me to be the man our side of Walmart, I'll be him. I would be call attention to myself, embarrassing myself and whatever else you want to place on me. I WILL NOT BE IN ANY (naked, yelling .....) ONE PERSON'S FACE, DOING WHATEVER THE HECK YOU'RE SPEAKING ABOUT. Praying, I think he need pray because of people like her. She was ready for battle. The President don't have to fight any battles with commoners like her. She put herself out there like that. This is one governor that don't have any manners , don't know etiquette , a racists, or think the pres owe her something and more. I wonder if what came out her mouth, sound like what I read form you.

[Alva Vargas]

06:00 PM on 02/03/2012

YOu don't know the facts until you read her book and realize she was callin him on dissing her several times and not taking her seriously, besides, respect is earned, not demanded, even if your president!

[shady04]

02:16 AM on 02/04/2012

Do you know the facts ? Since you are saying she has earned respect,(he should have responded to her ) she has the right to put her finger in President Obama face with a look of battle on her face. Sure, it is said, that you have to earn respect. WHO SAID THAT ? Is this another society ( man's doing ) thing. How do you know she's due respect or to even be recognized . Why should she be recognized ? Since you think I don't know the facts, please fill me in, I BELIEVE in treating people the way I want to be treated.

[Chachooga]

10:33 PM on 01/30/2012

And Brian Williams throws a hissy monologue "who would ever point at the POTUS?" on his evening news. Ruh Roh Brian....you did.

Goodness is this a Dan Rather moment for the liberal cheering press?

http://www.mrctv.org/videos/brian-williams-shocked-jan-brewers-finger-pointing

[sharpstick]

02:24 PM on 01/31/2012

LOL!!!!!!!

Yes, check it out everybody and see just how far the right has to reach to make themselves feel better.

LOL!!!!!!

[alwaysfarright]

04:03 PM on 01/31/2012

I have to laugh at the fake outrage on the Left when the Right acts like them.

[Chachooga]

10:46 AM on 02/02/2012

Hey Sharp.....the emperor has no clothes on....WAKE UP!!!

[alwaysfarright]

04:00 PM on 01/31/2012

I am SHOCKED .... The Left says that only Jan Brewer has done this disrespectful thing...I am SHOCKED I tell you!! The Left has been instructing us to be as moral as they are...or have they been showing us how to act...hmmmm...question of the day.

[Gregory Stanley]

05:56 PM on 01/30/2012

i would have slapped that winch!straightup

[alwaysfarright]

04:01 PM on 01/31/2012

Then she could sue and get some of the money back from Obama suing her state.

[Brushpuppy]

01:28 AM on 02/03/2012

IS SHE MARRIED???????????????

[itsjules]

01:39 PM on 01/30/2012

I got to catch an ep of Bill Maher last night (free HBO weekend) and he pointed out that the disrespect heaped upon Obama is unprecedented. No one ever waggled their finger in Bush's face; no one ever yelled to Bush "you lied;" no one ever interrupted Bush like Bill O'Reilly did.

Martin Bashir pointed out that the finger waggle was the culmination of the growing disrespect that has been directed at Obama over the course of his Presidency.

They're both right.

An aside: "Kennedy" is beyond annoying. She seemed to be more concerned with screen time and making bon mots and is really twisted in her views (in my opinion).

[Philclock]

03:17 AM on 01/30/2012

Our President, Georgy Porgy. THIS is our fearless leader, who runs away from pint-sized women because he's "offended"? What's next, a harassment lawsuit, "I felt my life was threatened, when she wagged her dangerous digit, your honor."

No wonder the world's laughing in our face.

[walsenberg]

03:57 AM on 01/30/2012

Jan brewer acted disrespectful to our president, wagging that witch finger at President Obama.
President Obama has more class than that and he handles himself very well when confronted by disrespectful folks. Where did you get lawsuit out of this?
The world is laughing at us because of many reasons and President Obama is not one of them.
Why don't you go eat your "American" fries, since I know you don't eat "french fries",
"mission accomplished"
Looking forward to president Obama's 2nd term, won the first legally (unlike your hero who was handed his 1st term) and will win the 2nd legally.
Oh, I'll go now, mustn't keep you from your source of information: faux news. lol

[emanonecafon]

10:58 AM on 01/30/2012

He's Mr Obama. No one has to respect Mr Obama if he doesn't earn that respect. Like I'm really sure you never respected Mr Bush. Now all of a sudden that we have a president with your preferred skin color you demand respect as if he were emperor Obama. You shall bow down and kiss emperor Obama's feet you disrespectful peasants.

[alwaysfarright]

01:22 PM on 01/30/2012

Rev Jesse Jackson was also disrespectful when he said he wanted to cut Obama's nuts off..(it was on CNN)...but he did say that what he said was taken out of context???

[itsjules]

01:41 PM on 01/30/2012

In what WAY, shape, or form did he "run away" from her? He handled himself with dignity as he always does. He downplayed the whole incident. SHE is the one who got all emotional and up in arms.

[Philclock]

04:36 PM on 01/30/2012

Detail, please, I don't see any follow-up on his part, from the concerns of a governor negotiating for her constituents. Where is his interminable lecture on the matter?

[Alva Vargas]

04:15 PM on 02/01/2012

OH get over yourself!

[pozitivethynker]

06:16 PM on 01/29/2012

COME ON PEOPLE! UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL!!!!!

[wittgene]

01:38 PM on 01/29/2012

Wow...I wonder if Michelle will be there next time??

[Alva Vargas]

04:17 PM on 02/01/2012

Who cares!