What's the White House Doing Now That Has an NBC News Journalist Shocked?: 'This Just Looks Bad

Former 'Obama for America' Campaign Manager Jim Messina addresses the final night of the Democratic National Convention at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, 06 September 2012. (EPA/TANNEN MAURY)

President Obama’s 2012 campaign manager Jim Messina in January became the national chairman of Organizing for Action (OFA), a group "closely affiliated” with “insider liberal organizations” funded by the likes of billionaire philanthropist George Soros, TheBlaze reported.

And considering the fact that Messina is the president's former campaign manager, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that his group would have access -- and the ability to offer access -- to the White House.

Well, let’s back up for a second. It shouldn't be that big of a surprise -- but for some in traditional media, it's a bit unnerving.

Citing a recent New York Times report that claims OFA is offering donors access to the President Obama, MSNBC’s Chuck Todd sounded both surprised and disappointed Monday morning.

“Excuse us? This just looks bad,” Todd said, adding that the president is “ceding the moral high ground.”

He continued, noting the president’s history of decrying the influence of money in politics.

“This is how a bad system gets worse,” Todd added. “I wonder what candidate Obama would say about this.”

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(H/T: Washington Examiner). Featured image screen grab.