Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer shook a finger in the face of President Barack Obama. The move marked a tense moment on an Arizona tarmac.
A confrontation brewed instantly in the initial moments of Obama’s Arizona visit on Wednesday. Having departed the plane to meet greetings from Gov. Brewer, Obama chose the moment to express discontent with his host. “He immediately took umbrage if you will with my book, ‘Scorpions for Breakfast,’ and was somewhat disgruntled, if you will, by the way he was portrayed,” said Gov. Brewer, according to a Fox News report.
Onlookers observed the exchange to be less than diplomatic. The conversation appeared intense as they talked, speaking over one another. It was during the brief tarmac discussion that Gov. Brewer shook her finger at the President. He walked away while she continued to speak. Gov. Brewer did not get a chance to complete her thoughts.
Gov. Brewer and Obama have differing views on immigration. Illegal immigration flows freely through Arizona’s porous borders, bringing crime and a drain on the state’s resources. The Obama administration would rather welcome them in, to populate social programs with people in need. Obama even sued the state on its crackdown of illegals.
Body language during the tense tarmac exchange spoke of conversation less about politics than the president’s personality as portrayed in print. Gov. Brewer reported they “should be talking about jobs, not about books.” We can only surmise that Obama’s beef with Brewer was personal rather than a matter for formal presidential concern.
The tense tarmac exchange showed immature impudence on national display. A warm welcome was intended from Arizona and its governor, only to be greeted with narcissistic concerns from the president.
“I said my offer still stood to come back and go to the border with me and that I would buy him lunch,” said Brewer. No response came from Obama about lunch or the border.