This type of person is everywhere. Especially, in situation that are highly political or where promotions and jobs are scarce. The tendency is to appear as though they are not causing problems or failures. One way to achieve this end is to point fingers and blame others.
It is difficult to refrain from attacking when being attacked. Of course, there are times to take the wind out of someone's sails. However, we want to focus on positive approaches and move things forward. It is usually best to buy time using a method of 'Moving On' remarking something to the effect of: "There's plenty of blame to go around."; "We can spend time pointing fingers or we can turn this around."; or "We can make this personal, but then I do not see the point in that."
It is difficult to refrain from attacking when being attacked. Of course, there are times to take the wind out of someone's sails. However, we want to focus on positive approaches and move things forward. It is usually best to buy time using a method of 'Moving On' remarking something to the effect of: "There's plenty of blame to go around."; "We can spend time pointing fingers or we can turn this around."; or "We can make this personal, but then I do not see the point in that."