State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki was openly mocked by the assembled press corps Thursday after saying President Obama "doesn't give himself enough credit for what he's done around the world."
Associated Press reporter Matt Lee asked sarcastically whether he deserved 200 percent credit, while another one wondered for what "accomplishments" Psaki meant he deserves more praise.
"For engagement initiatives like Iran, what we've done on Ukraine, efforts to dive in and engage around the world," she said.
"I mean, Russia has still annexed Crimea," another reporter asked. "I mean, Iran -- there's ongoing negotiations, but is that the success here that you're talking?"
"We're talking about engagement in the world and taking on tough issues that present themselves," Psaki said. "And the United States continues to play a prominent role doing that."
Full exchange:
JEN PSAKI: I would argue the president doesn't give himself enough credit for what he's done around the world, and that's how the secretary feels too. We would not be engaged in comprehensive negotiations with Iran, which is where the program is stalled and is rolling back, if it were not for the role of the United States, along with the P-5 plus one partners, certainly. Ukraine, we've been engaged more or as much as any other country in the world in supporting the elections process and supporting the government and supporting their efforts moving forward. Yes, there's more work that needs to be done. The point is, we need to continue to stay at it.
Q: But isn't this a potential mission accomplished situation?
PSAKI: Absolutely not.
Q: Jen, you would argue the president doesn't give himself enough credit? How much credit would you give him?
PSAKI: Well, I think what I'm -- I would give him more than he has given himself. That's what I just said.
Q: What, like, 200 percent credit?
PSAKI: So would the secretary.
Q: So -- and for -- and for --
Q: Credit for what? I'm sorry, credit for what?
Q: For what, yes, exactly? That's the point.
Q: No, I mean, I don't -- I don't mean, like, he doesn't deserve credit.
Q: For the Iran negotiations?
Q: I mean -- I mean -- I'm talking, what specifically are you talking he doesn't get enough credit for -- (inaudible)?
PSAKI: For engagement initiatives like Iran, what we've done on Ukraine, efforts to dive in and engage around the world.
(Cross talk.)
Q: I mean, Russia has still annexed Crimea. I mean, Iran -- there's ongoing negotiations, but is that the success here that you're talking?
PSAKI: We're talking about engagement in the world and taking on tough issues that present themselves. And the United States continues to play a prominent role doing that.