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Obama Defends his ‘You Didn’t Build That’ Comments

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    Psychologist Dr. Jeffrey Gardere and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Kathryn Smerling on the psychology behind Obama blaming Romney for twisting his comment...

  • Duration 6:40
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-- President Obama tonight still defending his you didn't build back comment and a new commercial trying to shift the blame the governor Romney for.

Twisting his words.

Those ads taking my words about small business out of context.

They're flat out wrong of course Americans build their own -- -- Well joining me now -- analyze for psychoanalyze the blame game and and in and they just didn't the cry for the opportunity to take personal responsibility and presidential politics were drawn by -- psychologist.

Doctor -- -- good to have you with -- doctor.

And doctor -- regard to air psychologists assistant clinical professor at for a college of osteopathic medicine.

Thank you doctor -- -- obvious your reaction.

Two to this.

Blaming Romney for what he sat and calling it twisting wouldn't what they drew -- roll the tape as the saying goes.

Absolutely.

One of the things that I find so strange about Obama is that he hasn't -- does not know how to apologize.

He does not know how to humbly apologize which would ingratiate himself with the American people.

He took a stand which -- someone else and I don't know if it's because of the rigid.

He's of rigid sense of discipline that was Richard since -- structure.

But it obviously he made a mistake.

He would be so much more -- -- to the American public if he.

Like Clinton in his own in -- way with all of his human foibles with -- what to say hey I made a mistake.

And that's an interesting point and doctor on your talk about 22 men who were immensely likable.

-- president in -- and Bill Clinton.

With well let's -- you well I -- -- I don't know whether the charm is absent perhaps he could be a little bit more humble as she talked about.

I think part I worked well I don't know I -- but all the horrible but strictly from the psychological point of view that's how -- -- the -- -- about -- years perhaps some projection it's not -- -- US you know right that's one of the defense mechanisms.

-- that is used by people low who want to preserve a sense of self.

And as well as their image so that may be part of what's going on.

What may be missing in -- that I see in this particular president is side that he can be very compassionate.

As we saw with the shootings in Colorado there was no better man no better president to go women console.

The families of the victims and that's something that he may excel and that being said maybe there -- other places in his personality.

That he certainly can continue to work on as he matures in life.

What I can't -- -- about this is that he's a wonderful aren't there.

He's very careful with his words and he flub this up immensely and I just wonder if this a crack in his personality.

Or something else that is going on that would -- -- You say it you're referring to the Friday the thirteenth commented which you talked about that this small business all its.

Yes I think he -- wonderful aren't there he really kids and this with such a flagrantly.

Silly.

I'm insensitive thing to say.

And he -- and check this trying it he he's so he's a wonderfully compassion for what we're seeing.

Defense mechanisms it's usually and and conscious process because one desperately.

Wants to hold on to solve the what does happen eventually.

Is as the person does come to realize what it is that they have done.

And realize that they have used this defense mechanism and that they could have handled -- -- just simply being more humble.

Then perhaps they learn from that's fluctuation and do it better -- Doctor I I have to admit I like produced at home.

-- because I've never seen even them into it no information whatsoever.

A humility in the part of this press -- this man where these an embargo -- this is the first criticism I would make of him.

Certainly there are others on -- -- far more relevant.

And arrogance but humble is not equality that seems even true to exist anybody if it doesn't seem that -- is -- -- for -- even tighter.

See a very very rigid structure and discipline.

Human being.

Little -- that that -- -- who was always ahead of the curve yes and listen he's eight accomplished a tremendous Americans very very short time that's -- and -- that I have a lot of defend what mechanisms to get there and Guatemala.

They tell Romney sitting there in London getting started DR Heath if if this offended if you people -- Criticizing the games they're questioning how well they're going to go the support.

You talk about rigid discipline and certainly that's -- essentially you're describing governor Romney and someone is wearing well I don't know when that when I look at governor Romney here's another man who is also brilliant I mean he's built up.

A fortune walked in an inherited a fortune also but.

You know he has -- -- Nagano has maintained -- main thing that's important idea in your inner -- that but it's as utterly wrong okay he donated.

The fortune -- the quote and quote the amount of money that his father left it.

And most of it to OK but of my point is and and I concede that you might pointed and home outside -- to escape from an accurate and humbly so I might.

Add back -- but -- know better so not absolute that this is also very intelligent man.

I think in politics -- even though he was a good governor he still getting his sea legs as far as running for this presidency but certainly the people around him feel that he could be tougher.

And I think they'd like to see a little bit more of President Obama in him as far as being a very steely.

Having the nerves and just going for what it is that you want and and and holding on to that.

-- President Obama may -- has overreached.

With that because of that discipline that I talk about that -- -- -- at the last word.

A quick word.

Obama really needs to project his presidency so he becomes someone that we can all look up to.

Because right now -- he appears so wouldn't.

As a human being that we need to feel as though he can lead.

As well let's admit -- mistakes as well as being more of a human being we don't see him as a human being.

We want to look at him as someone we can follow.

As a role model and right now he's not.

Thank you both for being here we appreciate it -- you you.

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