If there's one thing we've learned about President Obama, it's this: For all of his bluster, he is supremely thin skinned. Those who dare refuse the chance to kiss his ring tend to find themselves on the receiving end of a presidential hissy fit. Maybe it's because his entire career is the result of a carefully cultivated narrative - a manufactured image that collapses under the slightest pressure.
If you have the stones to disagree with Barack Obama – particularly to his face - you'd better be prepared to receive "the call." Just ask Dr. Ben Carson.
The Daily Caller has published a few excerpts from Dr. Carson's soon-to-be-published book. In it, the former Johns Hopkins pediatric neurosurgeon recounts the aftermath of the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast where he famously criticized Obama's policies.
“He did not appear to be hostile or angry, but within a matter of minutes after the conclusion of the program, I received a call from some of the prayer breakfast organizers saying that the White House was upset and requesting that I call the president and apologize for offending him. I said that I did not think that he was offended and that I didn’t think that such a call was warranted.”
Carson says that the President was cordial after he finished his remarks, and even approached to shake his hand and thank the Dr. for his participation. We suppose it's possible that this was some kind of overreaction from a staffer. To be honest, though, it doesn't sound like it.
It sounds like Obama was furious that Carson had the audacity to show him up. He probably held it together until he was away from the cameras and then he unleashed "President stampy feet" on his aides. They, in turn, set about securing an apology to appease their tetchy leader.
In the end, it doesn't really matter. Either the President was furious and demanded an apology, or his staffers just assumed he needed one to feel better about himself. Both scenarios paint a picture of a little man who's incapable of taking the heat he loves to dish out on a daily basis.
Not a surprise, really, just ...sad.
