Government

Disconnect? Obama Pities Gibbs for His ‘Modest’ $172,200 Gov’t Salary

Maybe in Obamaland Robert Gibbs’s $172,200 salary isn’t that much. But the comments by President Obama yesterday thanking Robert Gibbs for sacrificing so much these last two years and making so little has many scratching their heads wondering if the president is disconnected from the people.

The president’s comments came in a telephone interview with the New York Times on Wednesday after Gibbs announced he was resigning as Press Secretary:

“We’ve been on this ride together since I won my Senate primary in 2004,” Mr. Obama said. “He’s had a six-year stretch now where basically he’s been going 24/7 with relatively modest pay. I think it’s natural for someone like Robert to want to step back for a second to reflect, retool and that, as a consequence, brings about both challenges and opportunities for the White House.” [Emphasis added]

The comment has drawn fire from both sides of the aisle. The Atlantic’s James Warren wonders if the president is suffering from “tone deafness.” Gibbs, Warren points out, “earns $172,200 in a nation where the average family income hovers around $55,000, unemployment is high, record foreclosures persist and wages for most folks are at best stagnant.” And by exiting the White House and entering the lucrative speaking circuit, Gibbs is joining a “world in which a one-hour appearance can bring more than many Americans earn in a year, with the elite in the roughly $50,000 to $75,000 range.”

“[A] former Chicago community organizer might have edited himself just a bit better in suggesting that a loyal lieutenant is a portrait in financial sacrifice,” Warren writes.

Even the Washington Post raised its eyebrows at the comment. In a lengthy column, writer Ed O’Keefe asked the obvious question: “Is a six-figure government salary really ‘relatively modest’?”

The answer is no. And O’Keefe introduces some figures to support that claim:

Even by West Wing standards, Gibbs is highly paid: Junior White House staffers earn between $40,000 and $60,000, and Obama, conscious of austerity, froze West Wing salaries early in his administration.

Rank and file federal workers earned an average $67,691 in 2008 — about $7,600 more than private sector employees, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics.

When pay and benefits are calculated together, feds earned an average $123,049 in 2009 — topping non-government workers by at least $60,000, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

In an attempt to appease the unions, O‘Keefe even offers statistics for a private sector job comparable to Gibbs’s. Again, Gibbs is raking in the dough:

According to BLS, federal “public relations managers” (the position description closest to Gibbs’s press secretary work) earned an average $132,410 in 2008 — about 44,000 more than private-sector PR bosses. (In fairness, top-earning outliers working as spokespeople for Fortune 500 companies or major non-profits surely earn more than Gibbs.)

“High-level staffers like Gibbs will go on to earn very high pay in the private sector as lobbyists, so we shouldn‘t shed tears about their supposedly ’modest pay’ in government,” Cato Institute fellow Chris Edwards told O’Keefe.

“Poor” guy.

Comments (162)

1 2 3 4
  • MeteoricLimbo
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:33pm

    walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction…

    Report Post » MeteoricLimbo  
  • xm-1774u
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:31pm

    maby we should send him some food packages . poor guy how does he make it

    Report Post »  
  • NickDeringer
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:30pm

    I haven‘t seen this many empty suits since I discovered Gentlemen’s Coat Warehouse.

    Report Post » NickDeringer  
  • mcpbob
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:30pm

    WHY are we paying these fools that kind of money? I WOULDN’T HIRE Gibbs to check the air in my tires, let alone pay him that kind of cash…. guy should be serving hamburgers in a Mcdonalds.

    Report Post » mcpbob  
  • Constitutional
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:25pm

    Obama actually thinks that because he runs with Sorros he is a Sorros. But he’s just a pawn.
    His sleazy wife probably spends $175k every 3 months.

    Report Post » Constitutional  
  • Living In NYC
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:22pm

    Gee…he makes under $250K so in Barry’s mind he is poor….HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

    Report Post » Living In NYC  
  • sissykatz
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:22pm

    I really find it hard to believe he even got PAID, obviously he has something off camera that he does not haveI on camera, from what I see he is a bubmbling “idiot”, uh ah oh uhm I cannot imagine him getting a “speaking” job? Is this just me? have I missed something?

    Report Post »  
  • Johnnyp1958
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:21pm

    Well now I guess Gibbs will want to share his fortune with the least fortunate say in a higher tax on the wealthy

    Report Post »  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:16pm

    this normal blue-collar multi-generational AMERICAN family can’t imagine how good life would be for us on that kind of “modest income” any time of year. we never saw near that on military pay. and we are unemployed during winter construction lay-off, so we are at absolute poverty level until April. obama is sickening, he is pure vile.

    we like a suggestion GB had last month: all these feds should be paid same wage as our troops. period.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
  • Mikee T
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:15pm

    Every time this guy (Obummer) opens his mouth ….another shoe flies out……..it’s hilarious but so insidious at the same time………Imagine……we have 2 years of the lame duck moron that will fight tooth and nail any and all conservative measures that the new legislature will try and put forth……think hard america….think real hard over the next few years and remember what it was like when the Dems took over…..(during Bush’s presidency…btw)…..remember….when you go to the polls…Progressivism / modern day liberalism is evil to it’s core….and if not understood by any of you that way….it must be explained properly…….They want power, control, social/marxism to be the rule of law in our country……and they have succeeded over the last 100 plus years in more ways than you know…..The fact is, many of you out there do not understand how our Federal Government has trampled with untrammeled arrogance; our constitution, and our state’s rights…it’s abominable….

    Report Post »  
  • JohnGoodie
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:15pm

    Hurry up blaze O’reilly just landed a presuperbowl interview with the annointed one.

    Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:19pm

      Really ?
      FINALLY

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:37pm

      So will O’Reilly be sickenly sucking up again … he is always giving Obama a PASS .. I guess it paid off.

      Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:51pm

      So will O’Reilly be sickenly sucking up again … he is always giving Obama a PASS .. I guess it paid off.

      —————

      I think that not only BOR suck up and drool all over Obama,
      he’ll have Obama sit behind a big desk,
      so that Shepherd Smith and Alan Colmes can take turns doing ( their) jobs,
      UNDER that desk

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
  • Brad Wesselmann
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:13pm

    Heck, if they paid him another $27,800 he would have considered wealthy to his boss…these people are completely out to lunch.

    This is where I would start:
    Congress:
    Anyone serving in Congress, Senate or House, will be paid the amount of their averaged annual salaries from the previous 3 years prior to being seated. If I made $76,000 year one, $88,000 year two and 45,000 year three, my annual salary would be set at $69,667 with health benefits, with an annual increase of 3% for the remainder of continuous time in office. When the term of service ends, regardless of how many years in service, the member would be paid a pension for 2 years with benefits or until suitable employment has been acquired by the member…no double dipping.

    …it’s a start.

    Report Post » Brad Wesselmann  
    • arjundawg
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:31pm

      I like it
      and during that 2 years out of work they must report to the ESC and comply with the weekly job search requirements, stand in line for hours, and be prepared to come in at a moments notice with their documentation.
      Oh yeah and re up every time they enter a new tier or benefits year to see if they are eligible while no one at the ESC doesn’t know for sure

      Report Post »  
    • mike_trivisonno
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:37pm

      Pay should be measured in honor and service to their country, not the coins in their banker’s vaults. Compensation should be little to nothing. And profiting from service in Congress should be be shunned and cause for ostracization among the people. This is not a circus. Why should we allow those who serve us and who are bound by a sacred obligation to engage in hollywood-style wheeling-and-dealing or good-old-boy-style back room deals? And then to profit afterwards? It should be unseemly not encouraged.

      Asture men of purpose, disinterested in shiny things and not distracted by trinkets and baubles are the ones we should seek. Room and board is what the people can bear and that is what they should receive.

      100 years of cotton candy and dancing monkeys should have left us nauseous, but maybe a few more rides on the Tilt-A-Whirl of politicis-for-profit will make that go away. Get your tickets! Step right up! Only a dime!

      Report Post » mike_trivisonno  
    • Brad Wesselmann
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:52pm

      Mike, normally I would agree with you in that to serve is an honor not to be profited from, however this is the 21st century and those truly esteemed people we ask to serve us cannot have their family put at risk while they serve their country. Besides, if they cannot get a job after serving in the U.S. Congress and having that on their resume, they must really be worthless.

      Report Post » Brad Wesselmann  
  • eat-more-bacon-USA
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:11pm

    Would someone please thump his melon….Please?!

    Report Post » eat-more-bacon-USA  
  • grandmaof5
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:11pm

    I would take his salary for stuttering, stammering and lying to the American people with a straight face. Actually, I just don’t think I could lie to anyone, straight face or not, especially the American people. It takes someone with sociopathic tendencies to be able to do that and he fits the bill, especially if he believes the garbage he spits out. I guess we can expect him to now give his public speaking fees to those less fortunate since he has preached the redistribution of wealth for the last two years (I bet he will become a capitalist overnight).

    Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:24pm

      Grandmaof5:

      Here is the funny part from my perspective on things, yes Gibbs gets paid to twist, pervert and distort the truth in every manner conceivable and then some. To many Americans, with me being a chaplain means that I am just as big or bigger of a liar than most proficient DC politicians.

      That is one irony to never be forgotten.

      Sad part is, some pastors are exactly that.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:56pm

      Snowleopard 3200, Maybe so, but you can rise up each morning and look yourself straight in the eye and know that you are doing the Lord’s work (you can’t save everyone); Gibbs get up in the morning, reads the facts and then distorts them to fit his agenda. The work you do has been handed down from God thru the generations and is what will save this country, the work Gibbs does is handed down from Obama and the progressives and will destry this country. There are bad apples in every walk of life, ministers included, but the good definitely outweigh the bad. God bless.

      Report Post »  
    • TRUTHSEEKINGAL
      Posted on January 7, 2011 at 2:10am

      About 100 bucks per Ah,Ahh,AHHH, Umm.

      Report Post » TRUTHSEEKINGAL  
  • ENTITLEMENTSBLOW
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:11pm

    Wow that makes me sick that Obama considers that modest income, unbelievable! Must be nice to be a Millionaire Obama, how about spreading your wealth around since that is your way of leading a nation!

    Report Post » ENTITLEMENTSBLOW  
  • Deda1
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:10pm

    Well if 172,000 is modest then I am willing to settle for the low end of the spectrum which should be ln less than 100,000 by ol dumbarses statement.

    Report Post »  
  • URKiddinMee
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:09pm

    Hell, Barry, I’ll take the job at only $125,000 and I’ll learn to lie better than Gibby does!

    Report Post » URKiddinMee  
  • KenInIL
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:08pm

    Maybe Obama should get a pay-cut to that of a Private in the military, about $22K I think, after all he gets his housing, food, and transportation on the govt! He probably wouldn’t miss it. They he would have a good excuse for donating so little to charities.

    Report Post »  
  • untameable-kate
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:05pm

    Man, I remember running a label press forty hours a week and making about eighteen thousand a year. Can’t say I feel too sorry for the guy. Get a grip BO your poor entitlement base is getting fidgty

    Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 6:32pm

      I could think of a press machine he could run fourty hours a week, with pay of pennies an hour; right behind the crossbar hotel along with the administration after being tried for high crimes.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • loveoursoldiers
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 11:01pm

      stage hands at \Carnegie Hall make , on average $250,000.. some as high as almost $500,000
      and no, you can’t get a job there unless you know someone. Rush has been talking about this. He says he knows a violinist who makes $100,000… go figure

      the dirty little secret is that the unions are crying they don’t get paid enough or complaining about how much others make but they certainly are paid more than the private sector

      Report Post » loveoursoldiers  
  • Psytoxic
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:05pm

    Wow, I wish I was paid modestly.

    Report Post » Psytoxic  
    • abc
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 6:37pm

      He said RELATIVELY modestly. A doctor making $170K is being paid relatively modestly too, compared to what the average specialist makes. And a person skilled and connected enough to land Gibb’s job can make a lot more money elsewhere–like as a lobbyist. And the Republicans have shown us how that gig works–remember Abramoff? anyone? anyone?

      Report Post »  
    • idrathermisstotheright
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 9:30pm

      ABC, did you get any on your chin when you visited Clinton in the White House?

      Go pound salt! Your continued childish jabber is annoying.

      Can you say Lincoln bedroom?

      Report Post » idrathermisstotheright  
  • silveracer44
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:03pm

    I wish I could get paid that much to lie to 300 MILLION people every day.

    Report Post »  
  • scguitar
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:02pm

    Are you kidding? I cant believe these people are allowed to make more than the people who put them in their position in the first place. Since when does the employee make more than the employer?

    Report Post »  
  • J.C. McGlynn
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:02pm

    I’d be happy to make 10% of that right now.

    Report Post » J.C. McGlynn  
  • welovetheUSA
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:02pm

    Obama you need to give him half of your salery…distribution of weath as you keep saying.

    Report Post » welovetheUSA  
  • Dustyluv
    Posted on January 6, 2011 at 3:58pm

    I pity the FOOL too..Not for his salary but because he’s a lying idiot!

    Report Post »  
    • Dilbert is Real
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:02pm

      And that makes him different from the rest of the administration how?

      Report Post » Dilbert is Real  
    • Papahall08
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:10pm

      If this doesn’t demonstrate how arrogant and out of touch all these politicians (and their dozens of assitants and czars) are I have no idea what will. Their salaries should be tied to the salaries of the average income of all Americans. That would give them more incentive to work harder for the American people. Instead we pay all these toolsheds triple figures and give them a blank check for expenses. What a joke.

      Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:15pm

      So to paraphrase Hussain’s own drippings,
      ‘ how much is enough ? ‘

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • arjundawg
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:21pm

      I pity him for that meager salary
      I wouldnt want 170k to get up and make a fool of myself to the world trying to defend complete nonsense.

      I bet its a load off for him

      Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:22pm

      Disconnected from the people does not begin to do justice to Mr Obama; disconnected from reality save for his nightmare agenda him and the other radical progressive traitors are seeking to build in the nation is more like it.

      We need to keep going forward and win each battle we engage upon. It will take time, yet we will win for anything worth doing, the American people are capable of dreaming and achieving.

      We Will Win!!!

      http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:24pm

      What fool are you talking about – Gibbs or Obama? http://wp.me/pYLB7-uT

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:34pm

      “modest salary”? Just what does “community organizing” pay .. because anything above that is above both Obama and Gibby’s PAY GRADE!

      Report Post »  
    • suttonea76
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:34pm

      Great, now this fool is going to leave and write a frickin’ autobiography just like everybody else who leaves the White House. This is going to be a cliche’ of how to attain wealth once you step away from power. The should entitle it “My Life in the Fog” or “Confused” or “Stuttering Stanley”. Collectively, we need to quickly forget this boob as he road the coattails of another loser for 6 years. I wouldn’t brag about that. Even more ridiculous is that Obama has many books about him already and hasn’t been kicked out of the White House yet. Just wait for the plethora of poorly written liberal jargon books to come steaming out around January 2013.

      Report Post » suttonea76  
    • PubliusPencilman
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:43pm

      Wait a minute… now you folks think $172,000 is rich? Didn’t all of you just whine and cry about how people making over $250,000 are desperately in need of a tax break?

      Report Post »  
    • leftiesaredangerous
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:45pm

      Why would this surprise anyone? Liberals aren’t against making a lot of money. They just want it to be them and/or control the wealth of others for their ends.

      Can you say HYPOCRITE?

      Report Post »  
    • Curator_JDR
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:45pm

      There has never been a President with such a tin ear as Obama. Is he trying to make us revolt on purpose?

      I like the way Progressives are dealt with in the new web movie A Not Too Grimm Fairy Tale… you’ll laugh your butt off as the truth about America is unveiled. This movie gives us a new American symbol (weapon) to combat the Progressives….the “head-up-the-butt” person

      http://www.marcrubin.com/Hairmerica.ivnu

      Report Post » Curator_JDR  
    • tobywil2
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 4:49pm

      Obama feels that $172,000 a year is too little for public servant’s salary but that $250,000 per year is too much for the entrepreneur who produces the wealth. The man’s thought processes are a complete mystery to me. http://commonsense21c.com/

      Report Post » tobywil2  
    • be heard
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 5:12pm

      I don’t think anyone wants him to pay more taxes on the amount of money Mr. Gibbs is making. Most people want everyone to be able to keep as much of the money they earn as possible. I think the big deal here is that Obama thinks people making $172,200 are not making very much money. That makes him a little out of touch.

      Using your own broad criticism, Obama should hate himself for making over 250,000 and most of his rich friends and soon he will hate Mr. Gibbs for making too much.

      Report Post » be heard  
    • be heard
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 5:16pm

      I’m not good at posting, I think I should have let you know my previous comments were in response to pencilman’s post.

      Report Post » be heard  
    • WildHorseTexan
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 5:42pm

      At LEAST we won’t have to PAY the fool to insult us!

      Report Post »  
    • 1TrueOne55
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 5:56pm

      Maybe when they get around to a budget they will cut the salary of Gov’t staffers in the WH like Cass Sunstien etc oh the Czars who were not voted on but appointed so Congresss can control their pay. They should say that if you are not voted on in Congress then your pay is $25 per day or the cost of an average lunch in the Cafeteria…

      Since they are to be Public “Servants” then if the Gov’t provides food and housing what else do you need more than a private sector employee???

      Report Post » 1TrueOne55  
    • bryan69
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 6:23pm

      And don’t forget how low you have to be in the eyes of the people to be rated Less connected to reality than Bagdad Bob.
      I pity his family. Just imagine how embarrassing it is to be the mother, brother, whatever, of the guy that the president of the United States interupted in an unscheduled stop by the press room saying, “I’m tired of Gibbs screwing thisthing up.” (May 1, 2009)

      Report Post »  
    • heyjim55
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 6:31pm

      I guess Obama thinks Gibbs earned a modest salary because that is what his wife spends on a single shopping trip for herself.

      Report Post »  
    • *************************
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 6:33pm

      Thieves dividing the loot. Time for … JUSTICE!

      HEDLEY LAMARR [shouts down from window]: “Boris! I’ve got a special. When can you work him in?”
      hangman BORIS: “I couldn’t possibly fit him in until Monday, sir. I’m booked solid.”
      HEDLEY LAMARR: “Monday! Splendid!”
      -Blazing Saddles

      Report Post » WeDontNeedNoStinkinBadges  
    • shorthanded12
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 6:58pm

      Well look at it this way, eliminate Gibbs job and create 3 private sector job….thats a net gain of 2. Or since the cost of the national debt is roughly $40,000 for every man, woman and child lets see here that could pay for 4 privite citizens portion. Nice start!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • IndyGuy
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 7:03pm

      Pretty good pay for just going out and telling stories once in awhile…

      Report Post » IndyGuy  
    • tranquilrider
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 7:37pm

      A Democratic budget analysis, based on figures from the Joint Committee on Taxation and Congressional Budget Office, found that new GOP House rules would swell the deficit by $1.07 trillion. A CBO report out Thursday revealed that repealing the health care law would increase the deficit by $230 billion through 2021.

      Things are certainly headed in the right direction now.

      Report Post » tranquilrider  
    • John 1776
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 7:51pm

      So “Baghdad Bob” is finally gone!

      Report Post » John 1776  
    • elvisroy0000
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 8:05pm

      i am bothered more by Gibbs leaving i mean sure hes a puppet moron to socialists,he dispenses
      propoganda well ,what bothers me is what kind of Marxist will they replace him with,its allways
      better with the Devil you know

      Report Post » elvisroy0000  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 8:17pm

      TOBYWIL2 I don’t understand either.

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • IndyGuy
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 8:28pm

      Maybe his replacement will be Van Jones…

      Report Post » IndyGuy  
    • sWampy
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 9:14pm

      Considering he will soon be making millions a year taking bribes as a lobbyist, almost like Obama has the last few years as a terrorists/community organizer.

      Report Post »  
    • Thatsitivehadenough
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 10:22pm

      Obama and everyone else in his administration just think that now that they are in power, they should have access to the whole honey pot.

      More and more, they remind me of two books: Animal Farm, and Lord of The Flies.

      Tik, tok, tik, tok……

      Report Post » Thatsitivehadenough  
    • click4cheapandeasyweb
      Posted on January 6, 2011 at 11:37pm

      There are millions upon millions of people in this country that would love to suffer through making $172,000 dollars a year. This prez is so out of touch its become scary!

      Report Post »  
    • JKN
      Posted on January 7, 2011 at 6:01am

      Such arrogance… Our public servants should earn no more than the public they serve, and cut all of the gold-plated health care benefits and golden pensions…

      While these “public servants” eat their “modest” cake, more and more Americans are forced to eat SPAM…

      Report Post » Jackers  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on January 7, 2011 at 9:39am

      What does Gibbs’ wife make?

      Doesn’t this “modest” pay qualify him as rich?

      A QUARTER of this would be a 33% raise for me. “Dems are for the common man,” my @$$!

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on January 7, 2011 at 8:55pm

      he wasn’t overpaid IF you take into account he had to stand up and spew the LIES put forth from the administration with a straight face.. NOW that must have been work..LOL

      Report Post » independentvoteril  
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