Senator Kelly Ayotte was standing side by side with fellow Senators Lindsay Graham and John McCain at yesterday’s press conference wherein they criticized Susan Rice’s Benghazi media nightmare. Tellingly, President Obama was very careful to not mention Ayotte when addressing Graham and McCain by name at his rare presser later in the day. He referred to her as “and others.”
Why won’t the President acknowledge Ayotte?
Because it makes it difficult for the White House to push its narrative of “GOP men attacking Susan Rice.” Obama’s telling Republicans to “come at me” was an attempt at political chivalry, an attempt that looks foolish if Obama has to address a female Republican critic. War on women?
Because of this the GOP should put Ayotte out there front and center with Graham and McCain flanking her and following her tone.
