Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., seemed at once to rebuke President Obama for his remarks at a Congressional Black Caucus while also toning down the criticism of Obama that she has levied against him in recent months.
Obama told the CBC to “stop complaining, stop grumbling” and “put your marching shoes on.” He also asked the attendees to have faith in his presidency the way Biblical Jews showed faith in God.
“I’m not sure exactly who the President was talking to” Waters said during an appearance on CBS’ The Early Show. “I found that language a bit curious . . . We’re certainly not complaining, we’re working. We support him and we’re protecting that base.” Waters also suggested that Obama would not adopt such a tone with the Hispanic community, the gay and lesbian community, or the Jewish community.
Waters description of the “working” done by the Congressional Black Caucus put a somewhat positive spin on the criticism they directed at Obama, as Waters has complained that Obama ignored the black community and said she was “tired of making excuses” for him.
Even though she said she didn’t know who Obama was talking to, she later suggested the speech responded to unrest among the black community. “We helped him to get energized so he can deal with the concerns of the black community,” Waters said. “I think he heard us – some of his words were not, I think, appropriate and surprised me a little bit, I was curious about him, but he certainly heard us.”
You can watch the interview below.
