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Psychiatrist Dr. Keith Ablow on Attorney General Eric Holder playing the race card to deflect criticism of him in the investigation into the ATF’s ...
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In an interview with the New York Times over the weekend the attorney general seem to dismiss the -- saying quote.
This is a way to get at the president because of the way I can be identified with him.
Both due to the nature of our relationship and you know the fact that we're both African American.
Joining me now to analyze want lead someone to play the race card in the public arena is one of the country's leading psychiatrist.
Doctor keep tableau.
He's treated thousands of patients worldwide including CEOs elected officials and professional athletes doctor great to have you with us.
My pleasure but let's start with the first question is this sort of what it is for the race card is applied and I'm going news suggests mr.
Is it a statement.
Is -- -- a political maneuver or is their sincerity.
V in the statement.
-- well the news is either bad or worse depending on how you look at this bad news would be when someone.
Please the race card in order to deflect criticism and does it knowingly.
So it's it's there's nothing high minded about it but if somebody it plays the race card or the gender card.
In order to distract but does it.
Knowingly that's bad.
But there's something worse that may apply here and that's if you.
Play the race card because it's it's what you really think that you really believe that people are criticizing you.
Based on your -- no matter how far afield the issue is -- rates that were stark.
It makes it worse because it makes you immune to feedback.
So if you literally believe and this could be the case here if you literally believe.
The reason that they're giving -- negative feedback on fast and furious -- people have died.
Is because of my skin color.
That allows you to dismiss.
All such feedback and it makes you Teflon.
It could in fact and as a psychiatrist.
I look for these clues as to well what could lead somebody.
To have been as wrong.
On a matter as fast and furious.
Well if people disagree with you and when they tell you have a bad idea you immediately think you know what it is.
It's again this thing my friendship with the president it's again this thing my collar.
Well now narrow look at what they're saying maybe there's a pearl of wisdom there.
It in the case of operation fast thinkers.
With to at least according to the Mexican attorney general at least 200 citizens -- One Border Patrol agent -- Brian Terry possible.
Possibly another federal law enforcement agent murdered as well with weapons that had been smuggled.
Under operation fast and -- by -- into the -- of the drug cartels.
Why would there be any question about the necessity to get to the bottom.
Of of what happened why and who was responsible.
If it's the case that for Eric -- the biggest drama in his existence no matter what story is unfolding.
Is whether he is being though pressed.
And whether he sees it to be because of his skin color then no amount of -- nothing on the table.
Will overcome that will shining more brightly than that and if that's what he's telling us and look he seems to be if that's what he's telling us that's a matter of grave concern.
Because it short circuits listening it short circuits wisdom.
It tells you that most people would disagree with you are doing it because they're victimizing.
-- you have -- Always good to talk -- -- -- and to hear your analysis we appreciate your being with us here tonight.
Doctor keep that pleasure.
