Obama Says Goodbye To Gibbs

By Anna Cameron

President Obama appeared in the White House briefing room Friday to recognize press secretary Robert Gibbs’ last day on the job.

Though Obama stated confidently that Jay Carney will do an “outstanding job filling [Gibbs’] shoes,” he emphasized the value of his friendship with his departing aid.

“Robert has not only been an extraordinary press secretary, but he has been a great friend, and you could not ask for someone better in the foxhole with you,” said the President.

Gibbs, who has supported Obama since the 2004 Senate campaign, expressed deep gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to serve as White House press secretary.

“I don’t intend on telling anyone goodbye. I don’t intend to go anywhere,” said Gibbs, who will again support Obama on the 2012 reelection campaign.

As a commemorative gift of his service in the White House, Gibbs was presented with a tie that he had loaned Obama at the DNC prior to his keynote speech.

“I thought I should finally give you your tie back. It and you helped me get started,” said the note accompanying Obama’s gift to Gibbs.

Notes From Today's White House Gaggle

No big news from today’s Gaggle. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs focused a lot obviously on the tax vote, called it a “good agreement for Democrats.” Called the vote a “big win” for Obama. Said Dems clearly did not have the votes to pass a middle class-only extension. Said he was asleep when the actual vote occurred around midnight last night. Said VP Biden will introduce Obama later this afternoon before he signs the bill into law. Added that most folks in the media are probably surprised that the bill got done “with two weeks to spare…”

On START, Gibbs said he thinks the votes are there, and called Jim DeMint’s proposal to force an entire reading of the treaty “outrageous.” Of course, DeMint also threatened earlier this week to force an entire reading of the nearly 2,000-page omnibus spending bill that Harry Reid pulled the plug on late last night…

Speaking of which, on the omnibus defeat, Gibbs said the administration would have preferred to have it passed, but said Obama wanted a bill with no earmarks. Said the WH would now prefer Congress to pass a one-year clean resolution. This sentiment conflicts slightly with Robert Gates’ comment yesterday that he opposed a one-year CR, but Gibbs danced around the issue, repeating that the WH wants the 1-yr CR. Gibbs also downplayed a question on whether the omnibus defeat represented a defeat for Obama’s healthcare law (bill contained a ton of implementation funding for new law)…

On DADT, Gibbs said it’s clear that the votes are there to pass a repeal. Said Obama will be spending the next few days making calls to lawmakers urging them to support repealing DADT and passing the START treaty. He cautioned though that both bills are “not in the bag.” Gibbs guessed that Obama might leave town and head to Hawaii on Wednesday 12/22. However, he hedged a little, reminding reporters that he once predicted that Congress would finish healthcare reform 8 months before it actually happened.

On the 9/11 Responders bill, Gibbs said that although the WH hasn’t made a huge publicity push for it, they are “supportive” of it passing. Note: It is unclear whether that bill will be voted on before or after Christmas, but Reid said yesterday that he will bring it to the floor sometime before the lame-duck session ends…

Notable Quotes:

“What was the alternative plan?” (responding to a question of why the WH didn’t fight for a more progressive tax cut deal)

“I’m not the best understander of conservative grassroots.” (responding to question about the Tea Party’s role in defeating the omnibus package)

Gibbs: Putting Off Tax Vote Won't Hurt Democrats This November

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs defended members of the Democratic party on Thursday for leaving town without voting on extending a series of Bush-era tax cuts.

When asked during today’s briefing whether not voting will hurt Democrats at the polls this fall, Gibbs replied, “I don’t think a candidate needs a vote to express what they support.”

Earlier in the week, Democratic leaders were thought to be on the precipice of holding a vote on the issue, despite knowing they lacked the required amount of support. Most Democrats agree with the White House’s desire to extend tax cuts only for Americans making $250,000 or less per year. But Republicans and centrist Democrats have called for extending tax cuts for all taxpayers, regardless of income level.

Senate Democrats officially abandoned their efforts last week, and yesterday, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) announced that his chamber would take the issue up in November, after the midterm elections.

In a speech delivered at the American Enterprise Institute on Thursday, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) accused Democrats of creating uncertainty by punting on the tax vote.

“We could not get a simple up or down vote,” he said. “We can’t keep kicking the can down the road. We’ve run out of road. It’s time to do what we say we’re going to do.”

Gibbs, however, said Democrats were prepared to vote, but the GOP stood in their way.

“I think we could’ve [held a vote] but Republicans weren’t interested.”

Peace Activist Challenges Gibbs To A "Pee-Off"

While White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs’ recent comments decrying “the professional left” have ruffled progressive feathers, perhaps the most interesting response thus far has come from peace activist Cindy Sheehan.

During an interview with the Hill, Gibbs remarked “I hear these people saying he’s like George Bush. Those people ought to be drug tested.” Sheehan announced Tuesday evening that she’s willing to take the Press Secretary’s suggestion at face value.

“I will put my urine up against Gibbs’ any day, and in fact, will travel to Washington, DC to give him a fresh and warm sample,” Sheehan said in a statement. “I will challenge him to a pee-off.”

Sheehan, who in 2005 entered the national spotlight for staging a nearly five-week long protest outside of President Bush’s Texas ranch, added that liberals who continue to support Obama should be tested for “hopium.”

Gibbs’ interview has received equally charged, albeit less colorful, responses from members of the House Progressive Caucus and the heads of liberal groups. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Mo.) has suggested the Press Secretary resign. 

Sheehan became a prominent voice in the peace movement in 2004, following her son’s death in Iraq. She was a third party candidate against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) in the 2008 race.

White House Briefing

With Robert Gibbs

President Obama will meet with his Holiness the Dalai Lama on February 18th in the Map Room of the White House. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that the President is looking forward to “an engaging and constructive dialogue. “
At the White House Briefing, Gibbs was also joined today by Dr. Christina Romer, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors. She presented the Economic Report, number 64 in the order, that will be sent to Congress.
Romer said that each economic report talks about three things; first it brings up the economic challenges that we face as a country. Secondly, it talks about what policies were put in to place and how they work, and finally it lays out the President’s agenda going forward.
She also talked about the passed year and the coming challenges. Romer felt the importance of this particular report, not because of herself but because of the times we are facing.
Dr. Romer also said that this is the first time that the report is printed in color and also available electronic form. “It’s prettier than ever before”, Romer said.
When asked if the estimates are more conservative in order to not be burned politically, Dr. Romer said that, “every time we try to do the best we can. The truth is that we don’t have a crystal ball. Every year we try to do an honest, reasonable, conservative forecast ... ”

Iran

Gibbs said that they continue to monitor events in Iran as they happen. The President was very clear in his speech in Oslo, that we stand by the universal rights of Iranians to express themselves freely and to do so without intimidation and violence”.
When asked about a statement from the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Agency who cautioned President Obama about what he called taking the wrong steps, and telling the United States that consequences are beyond imagination; Gibbs said Iran has made a series statements that are based more on politics and not on physics. “We do not believe that they have the capability to enrich to the degree to which they now say that the are enriching. “
He also stated that, “our allies are more united in this than they have ever been,” to take actions and consequences based on the statements and actions of the Iranians.
Gibbs was also asked about the relationship with China and if they are on board with the UN sanctions, and he said that, “ the Chinese will continue to play a constructively role. They worked with us very constructive with the UN resolution with North Korea. It is not in their interest to have an arms race in the Middle East, Gibbs continued.

China

Gibbs was asked why the White House was preceding with meeting with the Dalai Lama considering how much China is clearly against it. “ We think we have a mature enough relationship with the Chinese that we can agree on issues that are of mutual interest, but we also have a mature enough relationship that we know that two countries on this planet are not always going to agree on everything, and we’ll have those disagreements, “ Gibbs said.

Snow in Washington DC Area

When asked if the President is pleased with the response to the storm, considering that the federal government is closed for a 4th day in a row, Gibbs said that what we have seen here is extraordinary. “If there was snowfall that exceeded what we had this winter, it happened before we kept statistics on snowfall. It has been an overwhelming weather event.“ People are working to clear enough so that the federal government can open again.

Sen. Bond and John Brennan

Gibbs was asked about Senator Kit Bond who was accusing the White House of using John Brennan for political purposes. Gibbs responded by telling reporters that John Brennan has worked in counterterrorism for more than 25 years. He worked at the CIA and hired by former President George W. Bush and was asked to stay on. “ I don’t have a slightest idea what political party John Brennan is a member of. I have never had a political conversation with John. I know this; John is there each and every day working in his office to try to do everything he can to keep the American people safe. And I would suggest, whether it's to Senator Bond or others on Capitol Hill, that these are decisions best left to people that have an understanding of counterterrorism, experience in counterterrorism and law enforcement, rather than to politicians on Capitol Hill.”