Obama: Grayson an outstanding member of Congress

(Politico) - Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) is drawing criticism from his congressional colleagues, but President Obama offered him some warm words at a Miami fundraiser for the Democratic congressional campaign committees last night.

Obama, in introducing the members of Congress in attendance, called Grayson – along with Florida Reps. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and Kendrick Meek – as “outstanding members of Congress.”

Obama may regret his praise of Grayson, who is now drawing fire from members in both parties for referring to Linda Robertson, the adviser to Obama’s Fed Chief Ben Bernanke as a “K Street whore” in a radio interview last month. And he’s received national attention for equating GOP opposition to the Democrats’ health care plan to wanting sick seniors to “die quickly.”

This isn’t the first time the White House political operation has given an assist to Grayson’s re-election prospects. He was the first freshman Democrat in the House to receive political help from Vice President Joe Biden, who came down to Orlando to headline a fundraiser for him in August.

During the event, the vice president told Grayson: “We owe you one buddy…This is a guy who doesn't back away from a fight, and doesn't back down from what he believes in."

That much is clear, and even as Grayson continues to draw national controversy for his provocative comments, it doesn't look like the administration is making any effort to distance themselves from him.