IS IT SMART FOR THE WHITE HOUSE to be in a pissing match with the Chief Justice? A reader emails: “I think it’s going to really hurt Obama in the public’s perception, because of the high regard for Justice Roberts on all sides.” Well, it makes the White House look petty, thin-skinned, undisciplined, and unable to handle criticism. Which it is.

UPDATE: Jan Crawford: It’s getting ridiculous.

Whether the White House has a short-term or long-term strategy or no strategy at all, it’s flat-out absurd and ill-advised for the administration to think it should always have the last word. It’s like my 6-year-old: “I don’t LIKE your idea. I like MY idea.”

That’s their style.

ANOTHER UPDATE: James Joyner comments.