Politics

Should Gibbs Be Nervous?

Current White House press secretary Robert Gibbs has a reputation for condescending comments and iron-fisted rule over the press briefing room. But given his recent blunders (here and here), which have drawn criticism from his own party, and a strong showing by his vacation replacement Bill Burton, Gibbs might have cause to be nervous if the president decides change is necessary.

Just today, Gibbs’s fiery attitude and argumentative, brash style were on display during a back-and-forth with FOX and Friends’ Gretchen Carlson. Carlson pressed Gibbs multiple times to answer if, during Obama’s national address tonight regarding the war, President Obama will thank former President George W. Bush for instituting a troop surge in Iraq. Visibly annoyed, Gibbs continually chuckled and counted out loud the times Carlson asked the question: “Gretchen, I don’t know if this is you actually interviewing me or just a tape of you looping the same question over and over again.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXoBuDbjM3E&feature=channel

But whereas Gibbs is contentious, an Associated Press profile describes Burton as “low-key and self-deprecating,“ and ”always ready to smile.” Those comments come as Burton recently finished a two week stint as acting press secretary.

Others praise Burton’s polished style. “You watch him up there on the podium and you think, ‘This is someone who likes what he’s doing, is in the job he should be doing and is doing it well,’” Steve Elmendorf told the AP. Elmendorf supervised Burton during both Dick Gephardt‘s and John Kerry’s presidential campaigns. “He’s just a really even-keeled, hardworking deputy who sort of fits into the Obama ‘no-drama’ ethic from the campaign.”

Former Clinton press secretary Mike McCurry  added that Burton is much less combative than Gibbs, and the AP story points out that Burton’s “broad grin and aw-shucks approach … is a marked contrast with his boss, the always ready-for-battle White House press secretary Robert Gibbs.”

Burton made a name for himself while working as Obama’s national press secretary during the 2008 presidential campaign. And he’s no stranger to Washington politics. Besides working on Gephardt‘s and Kerry’s campaigns, he served on Capitol Hill as an aid to Rep. Bill Luther (D-MN) and as press secretary for Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA).

That experience seems to have taught Burton how to avoid major controversy–he declined to be interviewed for the AP story: “Come on. Are you that bored?”

For now, neither Gibbs nor the White House has given any indication that he’s at risk. But given Burton’s much more palatable style, Gibbs might want to look over his shoulder.

Comments (54)

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  • GaltSeeker
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:14pm

    I would enjoy seeing Burton replace Gibbs – one bumbling blockhead replaces another! Does anyone recall the absolute smackdown that Megan Kelly placed on Burton during the 2008 election? That was true entertainment!

    Report Post »  
    • mishmashthots
      Posted on September 1, 2010 at 6:37am

      Hmm… Must not have been the one I saw between them. I like Burton much better than her.

      Report Post »  
  • C_Era
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:13pm

    Gibbs should be shaking in his proverbial boots.

    Report Post »  
  • Wilfred
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:55pm

    This guy is the perfect idiot for the Presidents spokesman.

    Report Post »  
  • The Rainmaker
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:41pm

    Watching Gibbs makes me miss Ari Fleischer. Say what you will about the Bush era but the press briefings were professional and instilled confidence even in the face of unsure times. Gibbs press briefings seem more like satire than than the real thing.

    Report Post » The Rainmaker  
    • Extinguisher
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:48pm

      If by professional you mean one big lie after another. I would agree.

       
    • mishmashthots
      Posted on September 1, 2010 at 6:36am

      Bush press conferences never instilled confidence in me. I don’t particularly care for Gibbs either.

      Report Post »  
  • IX-XI
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:30pm

    What a flaming a$$*ole.

    Report Post » IX-XI  
  • Soylent Green
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:22pm

    You have to ask Mustafa in the Austin Powers movie 3 times before he answers a question. Maybe Gibbs magic number is 7?

    Report Post »  
  • Smith357
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:12pm

    His arrogance is a perfect match to the rest of the Obama administration, though he did forget to call Gretchen a racist for asking the question.

    Report Post » Smith357  
  • Kataklysmic
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 5:49pm

    Nervous? I‘m guessing he’d be relieved if he got fired. Not having to speak in verbal and logical pretzels to try and hide how his boss is deliberately destroying the U.S. would be a vacation in and of itself.

    Report Post »  
  • BeckZombieLouKy
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 4:45pm

    Gretchen handled the situation well. I however, would have reached into the camera to slap him. Ha ha. his behavior was condescending and uncalled for. He’s got to go!

    Report Post »  
  • Judy
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 4:33pm

    Gretchen is standing tall, gibbs caught once again wee-n on our lawn.

    Report Post »  
  • Terri
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 4:02pm

    We know Gibbs can count, maybe now he can work on answering a question!

    Report Post » Light of Liberty  
  • abupundit
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 3:23pm

    Gibbs is definitely obnoxious, but Burton always reminded me of a smart*ss teenager. ( No offense to smart*ss teenagers )

    Report Post »  
  • d1carter
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 2:52pm

    Gibbs is a arrogant ass, Burton is a meathead, and worst of all, their boss is a Marxist…

    Report Post »  
  • Veritas
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 2:39pm

    If Gibbs told me the sun was shinning, I would grab an umbrella!

    Report Post »  
  • SamAdams
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 2:38pm

    All these guys in the White House are nervous. I can see November from my house and 2012 is just down the street from that.

    Report Post » SamAdams  
  • GJPinks
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 1:57pm

    I hope that Gibbs is not replaced. He perfectly represents the mindless existence that is his ONEness. Everytime he speaks, a little more of the facade falls away.

    Report Post »  
  • Zcat
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 1:55pm

    The sad part in all this is; As an America who deserves the truth, i believe nothing that comes out of Robert Gibbs or any other member of the Obama administraiton’s mouth! I simply have stopped watching and listening period!

     
  • tweetybird
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 1:35pm

    I do not like Robert Gibbs. I have never seen him actually give a straight answer and he is continually a smart@ss. He BS’s his way through it and brings up garbage (like counting how many times a question is asked) just to waste time so he can get the interview over with without actually giving any concrete answers. I honestly do not think he knows what the heck is going on. My opinion….he is a babbling baffoon.

    Report Post » tweetybird  
    • MKZORNES
      Posted on September 1, 2010 at 10:49am

      TWEETYBIRD…..I couldn’t have said it any better. My thoughts exactly!

      Report Post »  
  • susanftgriffin
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 1:32pm

    Way to go Gretchen!
    Way to go Gretchen
    Way to go Gretchen
    Way to go Gretchen!
    (Sorry….That was the 4th time!)

     
    • JustaMe2
      Posted on September 1, 2010 at 7:38am

      Great example of how journalism should work! Fantastic job Gretchen! You are a tough lady. Way to hold your ground.

      Report Post »  
  • Citizen
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 1:32pm

    I would not miss Gibbs I am very tired of the snarkiness on both sides.

    Its like the ship is sinking and everyone wants to bicker over nonsense like a bunch of children.

    Grow up America and act like your life depends on your actions, because it does.

    Report Post »  
  • CyndiIndy
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 1:31pm

    Burton is AS irritating as Gibby! In a race to determine exactly which could possibly be more condescending, I think it would come down to a toss-up!

    CyndiIndy  
  • Extinguisher
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 1:17pm

    Why should Obama thank Bush for a war that we shouldn’t have been involved in to begin with? The only one(s) that Obama should thank are the troops for doing an outstand job with the mission handed to them.

     
    • Michael Rivas
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:50pm

      How bout outta respect? We had every rite to attack, incase u forgot, Saddam was on probation following the Gulf War…Saddam signed a treaty statin that he would dispose of any current WMD‘s and not produce any new one’s.He was to permit the UN to conduct inspections to show that he was in compliance, and he wasnt to interfere with the U.S no fly zones. BUT for 12 yrs he repeatly violated the treaty!! If I’m on probation for anything and if I piss on the side walk and get caught, their is punishment for my actions! He repeatly shot at our aircrafts, and he wouldnt allow U.N inspectors to do thier job! In any case, he gave Bush plenty of reason to BELIEVE that he had WMD’s! Thier is reports also that he had them moved to Syria before we invaded Iraq. In anycase the U.S was the only country that did the right thing, while the U.N and European counterparts just wanted to sit back and watch! Refresh your history bud, and get the story straight!

       
    • mishmashthots
      Posted on September 1, 2010 at 6:32am

      I think Obama said more than enough about Bush. We should never have been in that war. It was a waste of money and American lives.

      Report Post »  
    • vnufall
      Posted on September 1, 2010 at 12:09pm

      i’m with you on that….nobody gets any credit in my book…lets just get the hell out of there…

      Report Post »  
  • Freelancer
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 1:15pm

    It would be a shame if we lose Gibbs…. His disdain for Fox News provides us with some humor in these horrible times. He does follow the liberal rule book to the letter though. If you can’t give a truthful answer, degrade the person asking the question and try to marginalize them. Thank God Fox never backs down and keeps pressing for an answer. It truly does highlight the arrogance of the left.

    Freelancer  
  • texas_gal
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 1:14pm

    Gibbs is as arrogant and condescending as Obama. He makes the perfect mouthpiece for his boss.

    texas_gal  
  • liberty
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 1:14pm

    Gibbs is an idiot, he SHOULD be nervous.

     
    • j-mac
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 9:23pm

      Gibbs is not an idiot, he’s a moron.

       
    • hopin society
      Posted on September 1, 2010 at 12:35am

      So where‘s chimpy’s other hand? “accidently” caught in jar of peanuts?

      Report Post »  
    • HeReturnsSoon
      Posted on September 3, 2010 at 1:07am

      Gibbs is a Dolt, end of debate!

      Report Post »  
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