>>>
the
white house
finds itself in damage control mode after what a lot of pundits are calling one of the worst weeks for the administration, politically speaking, in three and a half years. first came a remark about the economy that the president probably wishes he could have back. then came news of an investigation into who's leaking
classified information
. we get more from our
white house
correspondent, kristen welker.
>>
this is very offensive.
>>
the investigation has to be nonpartisan.
>> reporter:
law maergs on both sides of the aisle turning up the heat, demanding to know who leaked classified administration about the cyber attacks against iran, drone strikes on terrorists, and foiled
al qaeda
plot. on friday, attorney general
eric holder
appointed two
u.s. attorneys
to investigate.
senator john mccain
called for an independent investigation. and continued to accuse the administration of leaking the secrets, for political gain.
>>
it's obvious on its face that this information came from individuals who are in the administration. the president may not have done it himself, but the president is certainly responsible as commander in chief.
>> reporter:
the president firmly denied those allegations.
>>
the notion that my
white house
would purposely release classified
national security
information is offensive koert and his top aide adviser continued to shoot down accusations of
white house
leaks. republicans poungsed on the president's recent comments about the economy.
>>
the private sector is doing fine.
>> reporter:
the president quickly backed away from the statement. but today the romney campaign released this
web ad
. suggesting the president is out of touch. political analysts say with less than five months until
election day
, the president can't afford many more weeks like this past one, filled with negative headlines.
>>
this is about as bad a week as a sitting president who is seeking re-election can have.
>> reporter:
now,
obama campaign
officials say they will try to pivot this week and take direct aim at recent comments made by
mitt romney
in which he suggested the
federal government
should not increase funding to put teachers and firefighters back to work. romney campaign officials say the candidate was expressing his opposition to
big government
. lester?
>>
kristen welker, thank you.
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