In a speech at the winter meeting of the Democratic National Committee, President Barack Obama passively responded to former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s comments questioning his “love” for America.
“It’s not about the back and forth of politics. It’s about doing things that make people’s lives better. It’s about doing things that make us confident that America will continue on this upward trajectory that began so many years ago,” Obama told the audience. “It’s about making this nation we love more perfect.”
White House press secretary Josh Earnest also weighed in on Giuliani’s questioning of the president’s patriotism.
“I can tell you that it’s sad to see when somebody who’s attained a certain level of public stature and even admiration, tarnishes that legacy so thoroughly. The truth is, I don’t take any joy or vindication or satisfaction from that. I feel sorry for Rudy Giuliani today,” Earnest said at Friday’s press briefing.
The controversy over the former mayor’s comments began with a Politico report about a private fundraising dinner where Giuliani said: “He doesn’t love you. And he doesn’t love me. He wasn’t brought up the way you were brought up and I was brought up through love of this country.”