At a University of Chicago forum, former Obama Administration senior adviser David Axelrod had some interesting things to say about the president and his administration.
Mr. Axelrod said he was proud of the fact that the Obama administration has never really been involved in a "major scandal" throughout his six years in office.
"And I'm proud of the fact that, basically, you've had an administration that's been in place for six years, in which there hasn't been a major scandal."
When asked about the revolving door between lobbyists and Washington insiders Axelrod said the Obama administration has done a good job, with a few exceptions, but that limiting the "revolving door" has been light-years better than it was before. This is thanks to the ethical strictures they have abided by.
David Axelrod also made some interesting comments about the president personally. He said that President Obama is actually pretty bothered by the media coverage of him.
"It's only human to be aware of what's being written and said about you and to be less than happy when you feel like you're not being treated fairly." U.S. News
He informs us that our seemingly cool-headed, collected president actually has a "short fuse" but hides it from the media well.
For example:
The president called Axelrod a "mother-----r" and stalked out of a meeting after his strategist criticized the president's debating techniques as Obama prepared for his 2012 debate with Republican nominee Mitt Romney.
Obama "dislikes" New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd. and actually views her with contempt according to Axelrod.
Obama hid his view favoring same sex marriage in order to help his chances at election in 2008. When he was running he tip-toed around (same sex) marriage and said he was for civil unions and backed up the claim using the beatitudes as justification for it. He also said being in favor of abortion didn't make him less Christian. Axelrod said the president "acknowledged he had frustrations with the gulf between his feelings and his personal views and the position he took publicly." MSN
Obama failed to change Washington. Axelrod talks about the high expecations that his presidency brought to many people that he would be the great reformer to change Washington. . . We clearly haven't changed the tone in Washington."