MSNBC Again Tries to Pin Down Robert Gibbs on Anti-Romney Ad -- and Robert Gibbs Again Dodges

Perhaps because he enjoyed making White House Press Secretary Jay Carney squirm last Friday with questions about the pro-Obama PAC Priorities USA’s "Romney Killed My Wife" ad, MSNBC’s Chuck Todd on Monday decided to do the same with Obama Senior Adviser Robert Gibbs.

And much like Carney, Gibbs has been unable to form an opinion on the ad (like last week on MSNBC).

“Let me tell you,” Gibbs said after being asked whether the Obama campaign would say or do anything in response to the fraudulent "Romney Kills" ad. "This has been perpetuated mostly by the Romney campaign. Let me tell you this, Chuck, the Romney campaign long ago gave up their opinion to be pious on this ad and any ad."

“Let’s examine one that we know is running, not on the web, just on Fox News. An ad that’s on television that says Barack Obama has done away with the work requirement for welfare. That ad is nothing but a lie. Mitt Romney’s entire presidential campaign right now is built around a lie. Mitt Romney’s on that ad saying he approved it and it’s a lie,” Gibbs added.

“But is the rationalization well, they do it, so we’re going to do it?” asked Todd. “Are you comfortable with that ad?”

“Chuck, I don’t have any control over that ad. I’m not part of Priorities Super PAC,” Gibbs said, reiterating the White House’s non-position.

Todd reminded Gibbs that when it came to John Edwards’ campaign during the 2008 Democrat presidential primaries, Obama’s people had absolutely no problem condemning or calling on others to condemn third party advertisements.

“Because, look,” Gibbs said, “I don’t remember or get into the John Edwards thing. I know this. You have an ad that our campaign has nothing to do with.”

Except that, you know, the PAC's founderis a former White House spokesman and, as Todd points out, cabinet members have actually raised money for the PAC. Oh, yeah, let’s not forget the fact that the star of the “Romney Kills” ad has worked closely with the Obama campaign.

Watch Gibbs dodge Todd’s questions [via MSNBC]:

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(H/T: Mediaite)