Obama, Brewer Have Tense Exchange in Arizona

By Kimberly Schwandt, Fox News

President Obama and Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer had what was described as an intense encounter on the tarmac after the president arrived in the Grand Canyon state on Wednesday.

Brewer greeted the president as he arrived off Air Force One, as governors often do when the president visits a state, and handed him a letter that she described as a “welcome” note to the state, and an invitation to talk about a comeback for her state.

Obama put the letter in the limo before going to greet Arizonans waiting nearby.

The Republican governor later told pool reporters accompanying the president  that Obama brought up that he was a little disturbed (her wording) by the book she published last year called “Scorpions for Breakfast.”  In the tome, she said the president was “patronizing” in a one-on-one meeting about border security.  

At the time, in media interviews she described it in a more positive light.

Obama disagrees with that portrayal and the impression that he didn’t treat her cordially.

The White House says the president is willing to meet with her again and looks forward to discussions about how to improve Arizona’s economy.