ESPN "Warns" Golf Analyst Not To Criticize Obama

Funny, I don't remember criticism of George W. Bush by media employees as being verboten; I recall it as being de rigueur.  Not so under the benign rule of The One who bringeth Hope and Change.  The offending tweet, by PGA heavy Paul Azinger:

@PaulAzingerPaul Azinger 

Facts: Potus has played more golf this month than I have: I have created more jobs this month than he has: #Marthasvineyard

And here comes the blowback:

ESPN is coming down on Paul Azinger for mocking President Barack Obama on Twitter. The golf analyst tweeted Friday that the Commander-in-chief plays more golf than he does -- and that Azinger has created more jobs this month than Obama has.

ESPN has 'reminded" Azinger his venture into political punditry violates the company's updated social network policy for on-air talent and reporters issued yesterday.

"Paul's tweet was not consistent with our social media policy, and he has been reminded that political commentary is best left to those in that field," spokesman Andy Hall told Game On! in a statement.

ESPN's Hall would not comment on whether Azinger, who won the 1993 PGA Championship, will be fired, suspended or punished in some way. "We handle that internally," he said.

President Obama has a good relationship with ESPN. He's appeared several times on the network to fill out his March Madness brackets for both the men's and women's college basketball tournaments.

Is ESPN that out of touch that they feel their viewing audience comprises the rabid 29% that still view Obama favorably?  Or have they been warned by the White House that the president expects an uncontested forum to air his views on all matters of sport great and small?

What a bunch of pussies.  Wish Azinger would just grab a 9-iron and tell ESPN - and our thin-skinned president -exactly where they can shove it...