In today's WTF moment, Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) apologized to BP CEO Tony Hayward for the deal made by the White House yesterday to create a $20 billion compensation fund for victims of the oil disaster.
Said Barton: "I'm ashamed of what happened in the White House yesterday. I think it is a tragedy of the first proportion that a private corproation can be subjected to what I would characterize as a shakedown, in this case a $20 billion shakedown."
Hayward was also interrupted by an oil-soaked protester.
Watch both clips, AFTER THE JUMP…
The White House quickly responded.
Said Press Secretary Robert Gibbs: "What is shameful is that Joe Barton seems to have more concern for big corporations that caused this disaster than the fishermen, small business owners and communities whose lives have been devastated by the destruction. Congressman Barton may think that a fund to compensate these Americans is a 'tragedy', but most Americans know that the real tragedy is what the men and women of the Gulf Coast are going through right now. Members from both parties should repudiate his comments."