Nobody fears Obama, well, maybe his pet dogs do.

Via CNN’s Jim Acosta:

Via WaPo:

White House press secretary Jay Carney on Wednesday fought back against criticism that President Obama has been disengaged from legislative battles on Capitol Hill.

“He has twisted arms,” Carney said. “He has used the powers that are available to him to try to convince, persuade, cajole Republicans into doing the sensible thing….”

Pressed on Obama’s role in the current budget debate and his refusal to negotiate over the debt ceiling, Carney rebuffed the idea that the president isn’t involved.

“You’re assuming he’s above the fray,” Carney said. “He’s not. He’s in the fray. And he was in the fray today, and he’ll be in the fray until Congress does the right thing.”