Brewer defends herself, says not being "disrespectful"

By: Leigh Ann Caldwell
Topics: White House ,; Domestic Issues

Republican Arizona Governor Jan Brewer on Thursday defended her tense exchange with President Obama on an airport tarmac, saying she was "very gracious" to the president as he stepped off Air Force One in Phoenix Wednesday.

"I was trying to be very, very gracious. I respect the office of the president and I would never be disrespectful in, in that manner," Brewer said.

The exchange on the tarmac has received a lot of media coverage after reporters on the scene noticed an animated exchange that involved terse body language, including Brewer waving her finger at the president. What was said could not be heard.

The White House sought to downplay the incident. Spokesman Jay Carney called the media coverage of the tarmac exchange "overblown" and said "it's not a very big deal at all."

But Brewer conducted numerous media interviews about the exchange to say she did nothing wrong and called Mr. Obama "thin-skinned."

"I don't believe I was disrespectful," Brewer told CBS News, "I was in the middle of a sentence and he walked away."

During the meeting, Brewer handed the president an envelope; she said it was an invitation to lunch but refuses to release a copy of the contents.

Brewer said the president told her he was unhappy with how she depicted a previous White House meeting in her book, "Scorpions for Breakfast."

After the White House meeting in 2010, both Brewer and the president called the meeting "cordial." But in her book, she wrote that Mr. Obama was "lecturing" her like "a school kid."

This is not the first nor will it be the last time Mr. Obama and Gov. Brewer have engaged in heated exchanges. Both are preparing for a real fight with broad consequences at the Supreme Court. The Obama administration is challenging Arizona's tough immigration law SB 1070.

In his State of the Union address, President Obama renewed focus on immigration where he called for comprehensive immigration reform.

Sales of her book have skyrocketed since the exchange, reaching #14 on Amazon.com's bestseller list as of 7:12 p.m ET. Before the dust-up, it was #285,568.

Leigh Ann Caldwell
Leigh Ann Caldwell is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by paulaswernke January 30, 2012 4:06 PM EST: it is difficult living in arizona and having jan brewer as our governor. she is a very hateful person who would do herself well in just keeping her mouth shut. the extreme republicans will always sign with her as they have no intergrity to help make the world a better place. as she is bragging about balancing the budget she has taken away EUB from the citizens. children are hungry and people are homeless. she does not care. every decision she makes is personal and that is not the role of a governor. we have very few good politicians in arizona because the republicans are in control.....they do not work.....they are the judge and jury for the people of arizona. hopefully 2012 the democrats can change that around and we can be proud to live here.; Reply to this comment


by DebbieCorona January 28, 2012 9:05 PM EST: What a tool she is.; Reply to this comment


by pennsjoe123 January 28, 2012 8:30 PM EST: If you saw her interview after her meeting with President Obama, she said it was "very cordial". So now she does the Republican thing....lie and repeat th lie so stupid Republican people believe it.; Reply to this comment


by Xeppo January 28, 2012 3:28 PM EST: "Sales of her book have skyrocketed since the exchange, reaching #14 on Amazon.com's bestseller list "

Do you think that her publicist told her to drum up controversy during the presidents visit? How else would she feeel relevant.; Reply to this comment


by willykabasr January 27, 2012 7:14 PM EST: This isn't the first time our governor has been rude and downright stupid. I read her supposed "letter". No way did she write it. She can't remember a three line paragraph. She is a sad lapdog for the right wingnuts in AZ. She has the personality of a broomstick and the voice of an 80 yr old cocktail waitress. But, at least they have some wisdom. The even has all the makings of a setup.; Reply to this comment


by timtooltime January 27, 2012 4:33 PM EST: Obama needs to have his so called homeland securty do there fricken JOB ! Stop the flow !!!!!! Go Ron Paul !!!!!!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by OldProfessor January 27, 2012 12:42 PM EST: The photographer who got the pic of Governor Brewer jabbing her finger at the President sure messed up the Governor's day. Brewer can say what she likes but that picture tells a different story!!!; Reply to this comment


by coriolana January 27, 2012 12:13 PM EST: That female is very lucky the Secret Service did not take her down. She was there to welcome the POTUS in her official capacity as the Gov. of AZ, not to 'steal' a PR moment for her appalling side show. She is utterly classless and obviously no lady!; Reply to this comment


by terrenceh January 27, 2012 2:54 AM EST: Our Governor is one step away from recall. She has made AZ suffer in order to pursue her own agendas, I find her explanation self serving. President Obama has dignity and class Brewer none.; Reply to this comment