Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA), who is exploring a run for president, joined Sean Hannity on TV Thursday night to join the line of Republicans blasting President Obama for his appearance filling out an NCAA bracket on ESPN, saying that Obama has a “fixation” with sports over the issues facing the world right now.
Hannity referred to Obama’s upcoming trip to Brazil — to meet the country’s new president — as “another vacation to Rio,” attacked Obama for playing golf, and of course, for filling out a bracket, rather than dealing with the crisis in Japan.
Gingrich also accused Obama of insufficiently addressing the crises in Libya, Bahrain, Yemen, Egypt, Tunisia and Israel, in addition to Japan. “Yes, the administration has just sort of checked out. You know, the president has this fixation with the Final Four — spent time on ESPN giving us his version of what really mattered to him, which was the Final Four,” said Gingrich.
“I like basketball — I think the president knows more about it than I do. He may well be right about Kansas. Although I must say, I have a personal affection for Duke. One of my best friends from high school, went to school, and where they have a great coach. I kind of have a soft spot in my heart for Duke winning. But Kansas is a great school. So, maybe the president is right. But what’s strange is, with all of these crises, how could you focus that kind of time and attention as president of the United States — not as a private citizen, not as a spectator, not as a hobby?”
The key moment begins at 2:50:
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