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Robert Gibbs Reveals: ‘One of the First Things’ White House Told Me Was Not to Acknowledge Drone Program Exists

Feb. 24, 2013 10:12am
Robert Gibbs Reveals: One of the First Things White House Told Me Was Not to Acknowledge Drone Program Exists

AP

Former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Sunday he was ordered never to acknowledge the existence of the U.S. unmanned drone program by an administration that prided itself on transparency.

Gibbs said on MSNBC the still-secretive drone program meant he had to duck reporter questions he knew were perfectly accurate.

“One of the first things they told me was, you’re not even to acknowledge the drone program, you are not even to discuss that it exists,” Gibbs said. “I would get a question like that…once I figured out it was about the drone program, I realized I’m not supposed to talk about it.”

“Here’s what’s inherently crazy about that proposition: you’re being asked a question based on reporting of a program that exists, so you’re the official government spokesperson acting as if, the entire program — ‘pay no attention to the man behind the curtain,’” he said.

Gibbs, who was a senior adviser to President Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign, opined that the U.S.’s “denial of the existence of the program when it’s obviously happening undermines people’s confidence overall in the decisions that their government makes.”

(h/t Washington Examiner)

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Comments (122)

1 2 3
  • high school drop out
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:24am

    I have to disagree with most here This admin. has been totally “transparent”!! Their hatred for Capitalism Free speech and even America itself is very OBVIOUS! I read here said that Mathews said that the media was encouraged to do “Friendly ” stories in order for continued access to the Whitehouse. If true, that would mean that these wimps would trade Truth,Integrity, their neighbors and friends for a few Photos of Obama Anyone who would sell out the American people by allowing ones self to be bribed Is a TRAITOR And should be treated as such! The “fourth Estate” not too long ago was used to keep them “HONEST” Now I assume its only about their “RATINGS”

    Report this comment

    high school drop out  
    • Trenaway
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 12:11pm

      I would say using transparency and Obama together is a laugh. This administration has had NO transparency at all.

      Report this comment

      Trenaway  
    • SUNTZU
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 12:25pm

      I’m not mad they lied to me once
      I’m mad because now I can not
      believe any thing they tell me.
      As the old saying goes
      If their lips are moving ,
      Their lying…
      Model airplane builders-You need to
      start arming your plains
      a 22cal mini-gun would be a
      good place to start.

      Report this comment

      SUNTZU  
    • DouglassFiller
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 12:37pm

      Sadly, his semi-blackness helps keep him from genuine debate and criticism. He’s rediculously similar to FDR, in a very frightening way.

      Report this comment

      DouglassFiller  
    • SendTheMeteors
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 1:33pm

      If the choice is between supporting this administration’s killing of terrorists, or siding with terrorists, people here will side with the terrorists every time.

      Report this comment

      SendTheMeteors  
    • UNALIEN
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 1:37pm

      SENDTHEMETEORS
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 1:33pm
      If the choice is between supporting this administration’s killing of terrorists, or siding with terrorists, people here will side with the terrorists every time.
      ——–

      exactly, they are called Democrats

      Report this comment

      UNALIEN  
    • mamatango
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 5:06pm

      “The only people who don’t want to disclose the truth are people with something to hide.” – Barack Hussein Obama, II – August 21, 2010 – …

      Report this comment

      mamatango  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 8:26pm

      “Lying liars and crap weasels”

      Report this comment

      dmerwin  
  • NDPINDNT
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:19am

    Watching Obama’s press secretaries it’s obvious they constantly deceive the press and america with their answers to hard questions. You real can’t trust anything they are telling us. But the mainstream press give them a pass or just don’t ask the hard questions to put them on the spot.

    Report this comment

    NDPINDNT  
    • texastaximan
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:30am

      Robert is in good company. Joseph Goebbels, Bagdad Bob, etc. All of these men are absolutely willing to lie in a public setting, with absolutely no moral problems about it. Kind of insightful into the basic personality of these types. I will also say this, the fact Gibbs is almost criticizing the Great Leader tells me that he is still up to something. He is an Obammy boot licker clear thru, this alledged ‘revelation’ is just more propaganda of some sort, hide and watch.

      Report this comment

      texastaximan  
    • UNALIEN
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 12:07pm

      yes it is called a sociopath

      Report this comment

      UNALIEN  
    • Mudd
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 1:51pm

      No doubt, Obama has transparency issues, what administration doesn’t? The government didn’t blab about the Manhattan Project or the U2 program to reporters either. However, when they talk about using drones within our boarders and not in the theater of war…. Well, that’s a different issue.

      Report this comment

      Mudd  
    • kadster01
      Posted on February 26, 2013 at 8:33am

      “…the U.S.’s ‘denial of the existence of the program when it’s obviously happening undermines people’s confidence overall in the decisions that their government makes.’”

      Couldn’t have said it better myself. That’s why I am suspicious of everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING, this administration says or does. To be honest, I’m suspicious of all governments, in general.

      Report this comment

      kadster01  
  • BehindBlueEyes
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:16am

    It takes a special weasel to be press secretary for the commie in chief.

    Report this comment

    BehindBlueEyes  
    • Kerstile
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:22am

      I have never liked the concept of the “Press Secretary”. I want to hear the lies from the horses mouth. These Press Secretaries are a way for the President to obfuscate, lie, cheat and distort while later coming back and stating that the Press Secretary “mis-stated.” Bah. Press Secretaries are employed to protect the President from a good proper impeachment.

      Report this comment

      Kerstile  
  • Kerstile
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:15am

    So, this revelation. What’s in it for Gibbs? Did he have some sort of epiphany? Did he cross someone who has thrown Gibbs out of the sandbox? Is this a payback of some sort? Why is he admitting to this? Why now? Would be nice if he were asked these questions and many more, but not holding my breath.

    Report this comment

    Kerstile  
    • GeorgieJo
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 1:39pm

      BaggyBobbyGibbs and Davo Axelrodder just got hired by SLIMY NBC
      Both are empty robots for Obammy

      Report this comment

      GeorgieJo  
    • spirited
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 3:24pm

      Let’s see…
      Gibbs said this on MSNBC
      while Axelrod is now employed where?

      It couldn’t be that Obama’s house of cards is going down, and Gibbs is detaching himself.
      Nor could it be that he’s grown and honest tounge.

      >It’s got to be a (nother) planned distraction.

      Report this comment

      spirited  
  • BehindBlueEyes
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:13am

    Now when Robert Gibbs says “they told me”, just who is “they” and what was their motive behind it.

    Report this comment

    BehindBlueEyes  
  • tothepoint
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:10am

    Serial Liar Obama and his gang told others to lie.
    No surprise here. Just so sad for those who work for this despot.

    Report this comment

    tothepoint  
  • NeptunusRex
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:54am

    Wait..what?? Dear leader’s administration are a bunch of serial liars?? No way!!

    Report this comment

    NeptunusRex  
    • starman70
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:01am

      NAH!! It has always been the mantra of every administration that what the public dosen’t know won’t hurt them. It’s just that THIS administration believes that more than any previous administrations in history.

      Report this comment

      starman70  
  • streetrodder
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:54am

    Robert Fibbs.

    Report this comment

    streetrodder  
  • gryffn
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:52am

    Don’t be obtuse or obfuscate Soybomb. The Repubs never enslaved their own, never had an outright war on the military : generals sacked and soldiers thrown in prisons on trumped up charges, SEALs’ “suicides” – yeah right. The Repubs never attacked Christianity like Obama – his SS squad (Repubs never had one of those) ordered not to associate with churches. In short, the Repubs were not Communists! Not then anyway….

    Report this comment

    gryffn  
    • theBru
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 12:55pm

      You are assuming that there is a difference between dims and repugs…for the record, THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2 PARTIES!!! The difference they portray is all staged for the media to keep our attention away from what they are actually doing…

      Report this comment

      theBru  
    • UNALIEN
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 1:04pm

      there is a difference’

      the Dems are the party of Statism and Repubs are the party of NeoStatism

      One is bad and one is evil

      Report this comment

      UNALIEN  
    • Farmhand82
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 1:48pm

      I guarantee if Romney were president today, he wouldn’t be working overtime to push a massjve gun control agenda. He would have postures a lot and come under endless media attack and possibly caved on the background checks thing, but there’s no chance he would push the assault weapon/magazine ban, as is the case with most Republicans in Congress right now. The people complaining that the two parties are exactly the same need to examine the differences between what comes out of the House and what comes out or is pushed by the Senate. The whole body of works, rather than simply taking the moments where Republicans cave. The party does indeed suck at times but it’s nowhere near the same as the current Democratic party no matter how hard you proclaim it to be so.

      Report this comment

      Farmhand82  
  • gyro
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:49am

    This is a big story Blaze fallow it up !~
    :)
    Lying at the white house 101

    Report this comment

    gyro  
  • rickroland
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:48am

    This, and other things, all indicate that there is a lot more, one or more scandals of impeachment magnitude going on in and with the Obama Administration. For those few journalists out there that are investigating and reporting on such things, keep digging, you’ll find it eventually!

    Report this comment

    rickroland  
  • Listen_then_think
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:48am

    I would bet you could count on one hand the number of times they told the truth.

    Report this comment

    Listen_then_think  
  • HOOT_OWL
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:41am

    Anyone still have doubts we are no longer for the people and by the people .?

    Report this comment

    HOOT_OWL  
    • moochellwookielover
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:49am

      Gibbs should be ashamed of himself for going along with it. A GOOD person would have tendered his resignation on the spot.

      “All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing”. I guess we can see where Gibby stands … what a POS

      Report this comment

      moochellwookielover  
  • UNALIEN
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:39am

    “All I know is that I am not a Marxist.”
    Karl Marx

    When you boil the meat off of the bone of Marxism you are left with a grisly sociopathy..
    Marxism is deception.. the ends justify the means..

    Progressives, Modern Liberals, Socialists etc. thrives on the oxygen of deceit…

    These people are Marxists, sociopaths who lack their morality and virtue… and they are training the young to be just like them.. the future is thirsty my friends , for morality, honesty and a good single malt scotch

    Report this comment

    UNALIEN  
    • gyro
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:46am

      wow so early in the morning
      well writen

      Report this comment

      gyro  
    • UNALIEN
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:23am

      RULES OF MARXISM..

      1st RULE: You do not talk about MARXISM. USE the term DEMOCRACY or PROGRESSIVE
      2nd RULE: You DO NOT talk about MARXISM.
      3rd RULE: If someone says “stop” or goes limp, taps out the fight is NEVER over.
      4th RULE: NEVER two guys to a fight.
      5th RULE: ALWAYS LIE to achieve REVOLUTION.
      6th RULE: No logic, No facts.
      7th RULE: REVOLUTION will go on as long as it has to.
      8th RULE: If this is your first night at BRECHT FORUM, you HAVE to read ALINSKY.

      Report this comment

      UNALIEN  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:34am

    Right before that happened….

    Chris tells Gibbs that basically they get blackmailed into doing “friendly” stories in order to bribe the White House into photos shots like the one declined of Tiger Woods with Obama. It’s still going on now live so no link yet.

    I was LMAO…. someone changed their kool-aid.

    Yes, I was watching LSDNC at 8am this morning.

    Report this comment

    The-Monk  
  • NoMoMrNiceGuy
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:30am

    No kidding – the administration of transparency hiding something ? I am shocked !

    Report this comment

    NoMoMrNiceGuy  
  • Thighmaster
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:30am

    Sort of reminds Me of the 3 year old with cake sprinkles stuck to his face….

    Report this comment

    Thighmaster  
  • term limits for congress
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:30am

    Let me guess… “the administration” is everyone except teflon barry.

    Report this comment

    term limits for congress  
  • BlackCrow
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:27am

    The most transparent administration in history.

    (Sarcasm Font)

    Report this comment

    BlackCrow  
  • uffdaubet
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:23am

    Not a problem Bob. You spoke quite eloquently for years about the merits of a program that didn’t exist. A budget.
    I’m sure for you it was just point and click anyway, right?

    Report this comment

    uffdaubet  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:21am

    Some one in the administration forgot to tell PBS’s NOVA …..January there was a show on the drone program; history, the current uses, and the political dissent caused by said program.

    Report this comment

    Stoic one  
    • Dispman
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:08am

      Gibbs left the White House in Feb. 2011, PBS had to wait until the story was in the main stream before they climbed on the bandwagon. Waiting two years sounds about right. (sarcasm off)…

      Report this comment

      Dispman  
    • barber2
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 12:28pm

      PBS, NPR, NYT, BBC : all fellow soldiers in the Propaganda Army of the International Left !

      Report this comment

      barber2  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 1:37pm

      DISPMAN

      Point taken.

      The administration is STILL minimizing their use of drones. This is troubling.

      Report this comment

      Stoic one  
  • dissentnow
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:20am

    I predict zero outrage from the left on this one.
    Keaton?
    Yoursensei?

    Hypocrites!

    Report this comment

    dissentnow  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:32am

      yes indeed. both parties are dishonest when they are in charge – it is the nature of politics

      democrats probably feel they have a lot of flexibility on this because republican party was indifferent to iraq/afganistan mistakes

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:44am

      As usual, The R’s do it too. Pathetic.

      Report this comment

      13th Imam  
    • dissentnow
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:01am

      @13th
      Soy is right. The same republicans who had no problem with warrantless wiretapping, domestic spy programs, and the patriot act, when Bush was in office, are now waving their Gadsden flags and calling themselves “constitutionalists”, now that Obama is in office. Both parties are hypocrites. Some people are just too blinded by their own political ideology to admit it.

      Report this comment

      dissentnow  
    • YUOR SENSIE
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:06am

      This is what you must know:

      I am outraged that Robert would betray me after the lovely night we had in a Vegas alley.

      It is so.

      Report this comment

      YUOR SENSIE  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:11am

      RP is an R. Stop acting like whiney Beetchs and start a new party. If ronnie had the ****** he would not be an R.. Truth is we have what we have , deal with it, then change it, but stop crying. If his New Party is so great, they will come.

      Report this comment

      13th Imam  
    • Your_Senile
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:11am

      What you must know

      Baghdad Bob Gibbs was telling the truth. There is no such program called “A Budget”

      it is so

      Your Senile

      Report this comment

      Your_Senile  
    • UNALIEN
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:20am

      Progressivism has perverted and subverted the minds of the electorate and the Republicans have tried to drink form that poisoned well in a desperate attempt to appeal to the voters. but in doing so left behind the principles of true Conservatism,, morality, reason and logic… these things do not resonate with the people anymore, they crave the nurturing of lies, deception and stories… a psychological dependency

      Truth through reason is hard to accept, lies are easy

      Report this comment

      UNALIEN  
    • dissentnow
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:21am

      @13th
      No one is crying here. The truth is the truth. You might not want to hear it, but it is still the truth. The fact that you changed the subject to Ron Paul instead of addressing the fact that the same people who had no problem with a republican abusing the constitution are now crying foul when a democrat abuses the constitution, speaks volumes about what is truly wrong with the two-party system. Go ahead and blame Ron Paul all you want. It doesn’t change the fact that both parties are hypocrites.

      Report this comment

      dissentnow  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:34am

      Well gollyyyyyyyy,, Great solution from you perfect citizens. Again, if Ron doesn’t like his fellow imperfect R’s then he should go his own way. Like his adherents, and the no-show’s that gave us Barry for four more years. Put up or shut up. If what he brings is a good thing , he should succeed.

      Report this comment

      13th Imam  
    • UNALIEN
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:42am

      ideological libertarianism is a paradox, they demand strict adherence to individualism.. the result is independent sheep alone for the wolves

      conservatism is pragmatic libertarianism…

      Report this comment

      UNALIEN  
    • chazmo
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 12:21pm

      Dissentnow is right. I was one of those fools. No longer will I be that person. Everyone has their awakening. The true test will be when we get another R in office will we be making excuses for their actions or will we call them out. Well we have proven we will call them out. See Christy, Bonerboy, Graham, most of the R canadates, ect ect. I think the conservatives are finally awake to the bullshlt in Washington. I say hold each other accountable. We can’t be hypocrites. Stand on principle regardless of party.

      Report this comment

      chazmo  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 12:21pm

      Oh goodie…

      Your_Senile is back also. LOL

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 12:50pm

      @13th
      We are just trying to tell you the lay-of-the land and current state of things. In order to move forward and fix these things – we must first understand where we are

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 1:35pm

      The lay of your land is to kick Republicans from the back. Like I said ,start a XXX Party we can get behind , but stop the incessant backstabbing.

      Report this comment

      13th Imam  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 2:34pm

      3rd party wont work unless the republicans and democrats change the election laws. We would rather take over your zombie party and turn it into something good

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
  • Hammerdown
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:20am

    “Don’t acknowledge it”, quite a remark from the inner circle of “the most transparent” administration! Is something coming apart?

    Report this comment

    Hammerdown  
  • UNALIEN
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:19am

    what else did he lie about,,,

    Report this comment

    UNALIEN  
    • dissentnow
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:31am

      A more appropriate question would be:
      What didn’t he lie about?

      Report this comment

      dissentnow  
    • gyro
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:48am

      HYe is saying he is allowed to lie as it is his job to do so if told to do so
      ZERO MORALS

      Report this comment

      gyro  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:18am

    More proof of the hypocrisy of the Obama administration; how much more of their treasonous deeds still remain to be brought screaming into the light for all to see?

    Report this comment

    Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
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