WH on Obama’s declaration that he lost Egypt; ‘Ally is legal term of art’

http://twitter.com/#!/dcseth/status/246302116325494784
As Twitchy reported, President Smart Diplomacy went on Telemundo last night and unilaterally declared that Egypt is not an ally. Who lost Egypt? Obama did.

Remember that time Romney mildly criticized an ally & MSM absolutely lost their shit? Obama just terminated an actual alliance. #crickets

— Cuffé (@CuffyMeh) September 13, 2012

At least Obama was only talking about Egypt — not like it was a country that's super-important right now where relations are already tense

— David Freddoso (@freddoso) September 13, 2012

Can't wait for our media to blame it on Romney somehow. RT @GPollowitz: Egyptian on msnbc hitting POTUS on his ally gaffe

— Ed Frank (@frankstrategies) September 13, 2012

So where's the Coordinated Media to hammer Obama's latest Egypt blunder ==> http://t.co/XwPFz2co

— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) September 13, 2012

The White House is already desperately trying to walk it back.

Carney walking back Egypt "ally" comment. POTUS "in diplomatic and legal terms, was speaking correction." Then claims Egypt "close partner"

— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) September 13, 2012

And from Foreign Policy:

White House spokesman Tommy Vietor told The Cable Thursday that the administration is not signaling a change in that status.

“I think folks are reading way too much into this,” Vietor said. “‘Ally’ is a legal term of art. We don’t have a mutual defense treaty with Egypt like we do with our NATO allies. But as the president has said, Egypt is longstanding and close partner of the United States, and we have built on that foundation by supporting Egypt’s transition to democracy and working with the new government.”

Oh, well. A “legal term of art.” How on earth did he utter that with a straight face? It depends on what the definition of “is” is. Or something.

GAFFE: Obama Shoots First, Aims Later: White House clarifies Obama’s statement that Egypt is not an ‘ally.’ #tcot #Fail

— Jim Branch (@jamesbranch3) September 13, 2012

And here are the lapdogs, responding to their whistle, at the ready to spin. Spin like the wind! They must be dizzy from chasing their tails in circles all the time.

Egypt not an ally of US? White House official tells me don't read too much into that, Prez is NOT announcing a policy shift.

— Christiane Amanpour (@camanpour) September 13, 2012

White House clarifies Obama's "neither friend nor foe" remarks on Egypt http://t.co/o5hNP0kx

— lesley clark (@lesleyclark) September 13, 2012

Really? RT: @joshrogin: White House clarifies Obama’s statement that Egypt is not an ‘ally’ http://t.co/YftT1zbD

— DrewMTips (@DrewMTips) September 13, 2012

He clarified, you see. All gone now!

WHAT ABOUT YOUR GAAAAFFES? RT @ByronTau: State Department, asked if Egypt is still a major non-NATO ally: "Yes"

— Cuffé (@CuffyMeh) September 13, 2012

Egyptian on msnbc hitting POTUS on his ally gaffe

— Greg Pollowitz (@GPollowitz) September 13, 2012

Andrea Mitchell now telling the silly, angry Egyptian what Obama really meant

— Greg Pollowitz (@GPollowitz) September 13, 2012

Egyptian guy: The US is the most important relationship Egypt has

— Greg Pollowitz (@GPollowitz) September 13, 2012

@GPollowitz Yeah and Tamron Hall doing her best to play defense for Obama

— Jay Caruso (@JayCaruso) September 13, 2012

There are 4 kinds of "ally." Whoopi's "ally-ally." Akin's "legit ally." GM bailed-out "Ally bank." And now Obama's "frenemy-ally."

— Greg Pollowitz (@GPollowitz) September 13, 2012

Did Romney get to denounce Obama's Egypt gaffe before Obama did?

— John Hayward (@Doc_0) September 13, 2012

Heh.

RT @toddstarnes Obama says Egypt is not an ally, State Dept. says they are and WH says the word "ally" is a legal term of art. #clarity

— WhiteHousePressCorps (@whpresscorps) September 13, 2012

The State Dept just issued a statement that Egypt is an Ally to America. #obamaliesagain

— Lin (@Linlan19) September 13, 2012

Yes-ish. RT @ellencarmichael IS EGYPT AN ALLY OR NOT?!?!?!?!

— Matthew DesOrmeaux (@cynicusprime) September 13, 2012

@barackobama Is Egypt an ally or not? You seem confused. Good thing you're not the POTUS or something crazy like that. #ohwait

— Brent (@IN_PoolPlayer) September 13, 2012

Yet, the media spin will continue.

Obama's "ally" gaffe HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE error. I can't BELIEVE #msnbc #nyt STILL trying to make hay over Romney. WOW. #Cairo #Egypt

— Annie (@bloodless_coup) September 13, 2012

BREAKING: President Obama reaffirms alliance with SQUIRREL!

— Cuffé (@CuffyMeh) September 13, 2012

Obama: "SQUIRREL! has stood by us in our most trying times. I will always stand shoulder to shoulder with SQUIRREL!"

— Cuffé (@CuffyMeh) September 13, 2012

Man, I bet @hardball is going to crazy on Obama tonight after his Egypt not an ally/is an ally gaffe.—Something no one thinks.

— DrewMTips (@DrewMTips) September 13, 2012

Nancy Pelosi didn’t get the walk-back memo.

"I don't know about the word ally. We'll see," — Pelosi on Egypt http://t.co/EAq0c7vF

— Sam Stein (@samsteinhp) September 13, 2012

It’s totally fine. Romney’s fault, natch.

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2012/09/13/white-house-lapdog-media-walk-back-obamas-declaration-that-he-lost-egypt-ally-is-legal-term-of-art/