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White House insults Democratic base

Joe Biden's exhortation to Democrats to "stop whining" isn't the first time administration officials have criticized their own base.

Vice President Joe Biden urged Democrats to "stop whining" at a Sept. 27, 2010 fundraiser for Rep. Paul Hodes (D-N.H.). "This president has done an incredible job," said Biden. "He's kept his promises."

Vice President Joe Biden urged Democrats to "stop whining" at a Sept. 27, 2010 fundraiser for Rep. Paul Hodes (D-N.H.). "This president has done an incredible job," said Biden. "He's kept his promises."

Joe Raedle-Getty Images

President Obama derided progressive critics at a Democratic fundraiser in September for complaining about the lack of a public option in the health-care bill or the continuation of the Afghan war. "Folks, wake up!" Obama urged disillusioned supporters. "This is not some academic exercise ... Don't compare us to the Almighty, compare us to the alternative."

President Obama derided progressive critics at a Democratic fundraiser in September for complaining about the lack of a public option in the health-care bill or the continuation of the Afghan war. "Folks, wake up!" Obama urged disillusioned supporters. "This is not some academic exercise ... Don't compare us to the Almighty, compare us to the alternative."

Jason Reed-Reuters

In 2009, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel called liberal interest groups' attacks on conservative Democrats "[expletive] retarded." (He later apologized for using the word 'retard.')

In 2009, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel called liberal interest groups' attacks on conservative Democrats "[expletive] retarded." (He later apologized for using the word 'retard.')

Kevin Lamarque-Reuters

In August 2010, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs provoked progressives by denigrating what he described as the "professional left." "I see these people saying he's like George Bush," Gibbs said in an interview with The Hill. "Those people ought to be drug tested. I mean, it's crazy."

In August 2010, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs provoked progressives by denigrating what he described as the "professional left." "I see these people saying he's like George Bush," Gibbs said in an interview with The Hill. "Those people ought to be drug tested. I mean, it's crazy."

Kevin Lamarque-Reuters

White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod, on a recent call with progressive bloggers, was accused of "hippie punching." Susan Madrak of the blog, "Crooks & Liars," told him that the administration's criticism of the left made it tougher for bloggers like herself to motivate the base: "Don't make our jobs harder." Axelrod responded testily: "Right back at'cha. Right back at'cha."

White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod, on a recent call with progressive bloggers, was accused of "hippie punching." Susan Madrak of the blog, "Crooks & Liars," told him that the administration's criticism of the left made it tougher for bloggers like herself to motivate the base: "Don't make our jobs harder." Axelrod responded testily: "Right back at'cha. Right back at'cha."

Melina Mara-The Washington Post

An anonymous White House official took a shot at unions after Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) survived a primary challenge from labor-backed Bill Halter. "Organized labor just flushed $10 million of their members' money down the toilet on a pointless exercise," the official said.

An anonymous White House official took a shot at unions after Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) survived a primary challenge from labor-backed Bill Halter. "Organized labor just flushed $10 million of their members' money down the toilet on a pointless exercise," the official said.

Danny Johnston-Associated Press

Brian Bond, deputy director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and liaison to the LGBT community, reportedly "expressed frustration" during a meeting with gay community leaders and activists with criticism the administration received from bloggers.

Brian Bond, deputy director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and liaison to the LGBT community, reportedly "expressed frustration" during a meeting with gay community leaders and activists with criticism the administration received from bloggers.

Jacquelyn Martin-Associated Press

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