No one ever accused Barack Obama of practicing principled consistency. The man is a Democrat, after all, and double standards are seemingly the party’s modus operandi. The latest example comes courtesy of Obama’s planned 60th birthday party, an apparently lavish affair at his opulent mansion on Martha’s Vineyard where more than 500 VIPs have been invited. The affair will be staffed with more than 200 servers and attendants.

However, what in times past would have hardly raised an eyebrow is provoking objections. And those objections have everything to do with the hypocrisy of Obama and his fellow Democrat COVID fearmongers.

Few have been more condemning of Republican concerns for protecting individual freedom while advocating government authoritarian control over Americans than have Democrats. Lockdowns, masks, and social distancing have been a near religion with Democrats, and championed by Obama — yet when it comes to freely living their own lives, they can’t be bothered with their own dubious rules.

As Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) observed: “Democrats are imposing unscientific mask mandates while contemplating more lockdowns. Meanwhile, President Obama is hosting over 500 elites at his Marthas Vineyard mansion. If you or I did that it would be called a super-spreader event by the Democrats.”

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) echoed her colleague, arguing: “Just like President Obama, every American should have the right to celebrate their milestones without arbitrary government mandates and interference. We all know if this was President Trump the left would be screaming.”

When the White House was questioned if Obama was setting a bad example, Jen Psaki deflected, “I would note first that former President Obama has been a huge advocate of individuals getting vaccinated.” She then sought to dismiss any semblance of hypocrisy, stating: “This event, according to all the public reporting, is outdoors and in a moderate zone. But in addition, there is testing requirements and other steps they are taking. which I’m sure they can outline for you in more detail.”

When pressed by a reporter regarding the obviously contradictory optics of such a party given the Biden administration’s floating a mandatory mask and vaccination mandate, Psaki simply repeated the party line. “Well, we certainly advise everyone to follow public health guidelines,” she huffed, “which I know the former president, who is a huge advocate of getting vaccinated, of following the guidance of public health experts, would certainly advocate for himself as well.”

Like so many Democrats before him, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, they see themselves as above even their own rules. Well, at least one big-wig Democrat won’t be attending, as Joe Biden has elected to avoid the potential COVID super-spreader event.

However, after mounting blowback, Obama decided to “scale back” the party. However, Martha’s Vineyard columnist Richard Taylor Objected: “You’re dealing with a sophisticated crowd. I think the concerns were a bit overblown.” Got that, if you are sophisticated, you get a pass!

Update: The birthday bash wasn’t perhaps as “scaled back” as you might think.