Malloy: Giuliani’s statement about Obama ‘despicable’

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy at the White House Friday, Feb. 20.

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy at the White House Friday, Feb. 20. (Hearst photo)

Gov. Dannel Malloy Friday called Rudy Giuliani’s statement that President Obama doesn’t love America “despicable,” and said the fact that Republican presidential candidates haven’t “rejected it outright speaks volumes as well.”

Malloy took the opportunity of a meeting with the president and his Democratic governor colleagues from around the country Friday to tell Obama just what he thought about the former New York mayor’s statement, made earlier this week at a dinner for Scott Walker.

“I told the president I knew he loved America, and that he was a true patriot,” Malloy said. “The number of hours that have gone by without a call to apologize for that despicable statement is amazing.”

In a press conference outside the White House after the governors’ meeting  that moved along briskly thanks to Washington’s frigid weather, Malloy described the meeting with the president as good and upbeat, focusing on economic measures the governors are taking to help the middle class.  “The president was in great form. His poll numbers reflect that. He is speaking with a great voice to the middle class.”

During the meeting, Obama praised Malloy for his work to make Connecticut the first state in the nation to mandate paid sick leave.

Malloy said afterwards, “When I became governor of Connecticut, sixty percent of hourly wage earners went to work sick. These people are preparing your food, taking care of your children in day care and your parents in nursing homes. …  I’m glad Connecticut took leadership on this.”

He also cited the fact that the state has raised the minimum wage two years in a row, and was the first state to pass $10.10 an hour.

 

 

 

 

David McCumber, Washington Bureau Chief