early and awkward

Obama Called Cantor to Attack Him on Immigration, or Wish Him a Happy Passover

President Barack Obama talks with Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., prior to entering the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for his address to a Joint Session of Congress to outline the American Jobs Act, Sept. 8, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.
Photo: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

What started as routine bickering between President Obama and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor has turned into a weird fight over holiday greetings. It started on Wednesday morning when the White House marked the one year anniversary of the Senate introducing a bipartisan immigration bill by chiding House Republicans for stalling on immigration reform. “Unfortunately, Republicans in the House of Representatives have repeatedly failed to take action, seemingly preferring the status quo of a broken immigration system over meaningful reform,” said the statement. Cantor issued a sharply worded response, claiming that Obama called him to have a serious talk about immigration just “hours after he issued a partisan statement.” However, the White House says the president was just calling to wish Cantor a happy Passover.

After five years, President Obama still has not learned how to effectively work with Congress to get things done,” said Cantor’s statement. “You do not attack the very people you hope to engage in a serious dialogue.” It continued, “I told the President the same thing I told him the last time we spoke. House Republicans do not support Senate Democrat’s immigration bill and amnesty efforts, and it will not be considered in the House.”

By the evening the two sides were mainly arguing over the nature of their chat. A White House official told Politico that it was about the holidays, though immigration reform did come up. “It was a pleasant call,” said the official. “We are surprised by the staff readout, which didn’t reflect the call.” However, a Cantor aide responded that the topic was “assuredly” immigration. “At the end of the call, the leader wished the president a happy Easter and the president ‘responded’ by wishing him a happy Passover,” the aide said.

So supposedly, Obama didn’t even say “Happy Passover” first! Maybe the president just wanted to simulate a family fight to make his annual Passover celebration feel more authentic.

Obama and Cantor Feud Over Immigration, Passover