Axelrod, a CNN commentator, was senior adviser to President Barack Obama and chief strategist for the 2008 and 2012 Obama presidential campaigns. Pelosi played hardball by suggesting the President postpone his State of the Union speech due to the ongoing government shutdown. In summarily canceling the speaker's trip to Afghanistan, the President said, "I'm sure you would agree that postponing this public relations event is totally appropriate." Public relations event? Then we returned to Bagram Air Base, where Obama offered words of encouragement and appreciation to our troops.

Source: CNN January 19, 2019 02:15 UTC