NBC reporter Chuck Todd claimed the White House expected “euphoria” and a “rally around the flag” after Army Sgt. and probable deserter Bowe Bergdhal was traded for five top Taliban officials held at Gitmo — adding that the Obama administration has been “caught off guard” by the angry response.
Todd spoke Tuesday with MSBNC’s Andrea Mitchell about President Obama’s response to the questions surrounding Berghdal’s capture and release (RELATED: Obama Deploys ‘Sacred Rule’ To Justify Prison Swap).
“What’s caught the White House off guard here — they were expecting criticisms of Gitmo, criticism of the detainees that were chosen,” Todd explained. “They did not expect this criticism of the attempt to go get Bergdahl and the way that it was done. And that’s what caught them off guard and that’s why it looks like they’re on their back feet on this one.”
“I think they thought there would be some euphoria around this,” he later continued. “That the only POW that was remaining in Afghanistan, that there would be a rally around the flag. That didn’t happen.”
[h/t Mediaite]