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February 11th, 2011
10:25 AM ET
The curtain closes on Gibbs WASHINGTON (CNN) - It was 1:40 pm, January 22, 2009, when White House spokesman Robert Gibbs first stepped behind the podium in the James S. Brady briefing room to begin a two year joust with the press corps. “How are you all?" The Alabama native said. “Nice to be here.” He wasn’t a stranger. After all he’d been by the newly elected president’s side since Obama’s early run for the U.S. Senate. But Gibbs was about to roll out a blunt, sarcastic and evasive style that would both entertain and frustrate reporters. He danced deftly with phrases like “I shouldn’t get ahead of the president,” “I don’t want to prejudge,” and “I’m not a lawyer” (or any other expertise he was using to dodge a question). All the while Gibbs enjoyed a powerful seat right next to the president’s ear. He’s a close friend, one of my closest advisers and an effective advocate from the podium,” the president said in a recent written statement. During a recent forum at George Washington University, Mike McCurry, who served as press secretary under President Bill Clinton, acknowledged the crucial role Gibbs played. He said Gibbs “is instrumentally important, and was during the first two years to the president." Yet that relationship can be inherently complicated. “I think it is nearly impossible to be a decision maker and a key policy maker on behalf of the president, and simultaneously do the job that we have to do,” McCurry said. But Gibbs, who lived in a world of mostly first-hand information, believed his dual roles gave him an advantage in dealing with the press. And he reveled in one of Washington's most public platforms. “I would not trade the worst days here for many of the best days at another job.” But while he exuded confidence, Gibbs confessed he wasn’t always pleased with his performances. Every night in the comfort of his home, he would pour over the transcripts of his briefings and think about what he could have done differently, he said. What he never second guessed was his style, which he once compared to a jujitsu match. Often abrasive humor was used to swat back a question, or just knock it out of the park. Right after the Tea Party convention in Nashville last year, Gibbs handled a tough question on health care by poking fun at former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. She had used her hand as a cheat sheet during a speech at the convention, so Gibbs responded in kind and displayed his own “notes” on his palm. The room erupted in laughter. It was just one moment in an ongoing one-man highlight reel for a spokesman who was chronically late for his daily briefings. Gibbs once took a ringing cell phone away from a stunned reporter, right in the middle of a briefing. He wore a hockey jersey when he lost a bet with his Canadian counterpart after the U.S. was defeated in the Winter Olympics. And he hardly missed a beat when a persistent spider crawled and dangled its way around his nicely pressed suit during a briefing. But it wasn’t all fun and games. Gibbs would sometimes put his foot in his mouth...or even in a door. First the mouth. With questions about serious challenges in the mid-term elections, Gibbs was criticized for predicting his party would suffer losses, even as other Democrats were trying to deliver a more positive tone. He also caught flak for referring to unhappy liberal Democrats as the “professional left.” Now back to that door. During a trip to India last year, attempts to keep American journalists out of a meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Singh were met with a foot from Gibbs firmly planted and nearly crushed in a shutting door. He argued with Indian security officials, used a few strong words, and threatened to pull President Obama from the meeting if the U.S. press were kept out. Both his foot and his persistence won that argument handily. It was all part of a 24-7 job that put him in the stressful and sometimes bruising position of trying to explain the president's thinking on everything from the controversial stimulus package to the health care reform law that Republicans are still trying to repeal. Waking up each morning at 4am, Gibbs was often hit with harsh headlines. He would "pick up the paper and groan," he said. Finally last month he announced his decision to step down in order to "step back a little bit and recharge some." The spokesman is moving on to become a Washington pundit but staying in Obama's inner circle as an outside adviser. On Thursday night, Gibbs was busy cleaning out his office. Pictures were taken off the wall. Books were removed from shelves. Cardboard boxes were ready to be filled. And Jay Carney, Vice President Joe Biden’s communications director, who had been quietly doing “simulated briefings,” was gearing up to take over for real on Monday. As he counted down his final hours, Gibbs reflected on the job he's leaving behind. “I’ve said a hundred times, well, probably 10,000 times, if you didn’t enjoy some element of this you’d do it for about three days and you would turn in your pass and hope no one ever found you again." I'm not a mathematician, and I don't want to prejudge (sound familiar), but Gibbs did it for 752 days. Now he’s handing his pass to Carney who has "three days" to decide whether he can handle the heat, or want to run to that place where "no one ever found you again." White House producer Becky Brittain contributed to this report
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This guy me proud to be from Alabama. WAR EAGLE! Good job, Bobby. Thanks for putting an intelligent face on the White House and your home state.
He was alright, and I think he had a hard job having to dodge so many questions that were required over the last two years of inaction and outright bad policy. I wouldn't have wanted that job for all the money in the world frankly. When you break that many promises to voters, you are going to take some heat for that, and usually it was this guy.
I am a devoted obama supporter and in that time have come to love Gibbs for his "I dont take shit" approach. I hate to see him go
This guy is almost as worthless as his boss, one down, one to go
Hah, what pre-election cycle are you following?
Your ignorance is showing.
Obama had absolutely nothing to do with what happened in Egypt. He did nothing and he knew nothing. That is clearly evident when senior members of his staff get their intel from the media.
What did you expect him to do?
He's the President of the USA not Egypt stupid. So are wel suppose to run over and tell every country how to run their government. You seem as dumb as sarah palin. Do you try to tell your neighbors how to raise their kids? If you don't like the way things are being done, run for public office. No how about just vote. If not then shut your hole. Sarah Palin won't run for President for two reasons. She doesn't know what the hell is going on, and secondly it doesn't pay enough.
Happy trails to you...sorry but i won't miss the arogant sarcasim..kind of sums up Obama and his whole administratio...arrogant..
Must not have been paying attention during the Bush years, eh? As a small example- remember the "Mission Accomplished" banner? yeah... arrogant, eh?
'The Banner' was not put on the ship by the press secretary or Presidnet Bush. It was hung by the crew who were proud of the fact they had accomplished their mission and that President Bush was visiting. It is a shame that after all these years that Liberals will continue to bash our service people and not give them credit for their accomplishments.
This guy makes me proud to be from Alabama. WAR EAGLE! Good job, Bobby. Thanks for putting an intelligent face on the White House and your home state.
Well done Mr. Gibbs, a true and faithful American.
I will miss you dearly. I love you.
Good luck Gibbs!!!!! It was fun having you around. You will be missed!!! Maybe down the road for the next campaign???
goodbye
Happy trails to you...sorry but i won't miss the arogant sarcasim..kind of sums up Obama and his whole administratio...arrogant
I think you must be mistaken for all the talking heads for the previous administration. I guess that why the US wasn't respected by nobody in the world!
Yeah, buddy, that and the misuse of prepositions and double-negatives. And is the last "n" in "administration" really so taxing to type? Seriously, it might add (some) validity to your otherwise vapid comment.
In any case, don't mistake arrogance for intelligence. Gibbs and Obama are intelligent. I'm both.
And last, but not least, you're petty.
If pointing out the absurdity of political commentary written by someone so impotent in his command of the English language is petty, then yes, maybe he is. But I really don't think it's much to ask from would-be politicos that they learn to write properly before hazarding attempts at anything like memorializing a complete thought.
So much for clear and transparent when it comes to the presidency. People used to learn to speak in public but apparently nobody seems to care about all the 'uh' and 'ah's in between the few words actually spoken. Gibbs is a disgrace to public speaking and if he is the poster child for clear and transparent leadership, all I can say is America got what she deserved.
I am with you J, this guy fumbled and bumbled his way through every press meet...hilarious!
Good luck in your future endevors Mr. Gibbs. Have enjoyed watching your Press Conferences these past two years and enjoyed your wit, humor, insite and honesty. Welcome aboard Mr. Carney and good luck to you also.
well done, good and faithful servant. God bless you and you family. class is what you brought to the white house.
Will this be the last day of farce from the briefings?
@Gnat Obama and his whole administration arrogant? Arrogant = insolently proud i don't think so however you are a racist and fyi w. was arrogant after he stole the election and hesitated to act on 9/11. Mr Obama is far from arrogant you should learn the meaning and yes the spelling of the three syllable words before you use them. Just saying
Still living in the past. Stole the election???? How is a 5 minute pause with children a hesitation. If I am not mistaken, Big W. reacted with more force than any President ever. It is amazing at your thought process, what a joke you are.
You mad bro?
let's see stolen election versus lack of a valid birthcertificate, hmmmmm, you got a toss up...just sayin'
"Birth certificate" is spelled with a space.
I like how when you have a good point a liberal can't argue they just change the subject . Or in this case correct your grammar
Why waste time arguing with the illiterate? I doubt he can even read this.
Granted, WH press sec. is a difficult job...but Mr. Gibbs was evasive and came across as arrogant when asked to respond to the most basic of questions...what's next for him?
Gibbs was truly a man after the President's own heart and will be missed irmeasurably
good riddance to (BAGDAD BOB) I mean robert gibbs. we will not miss the uhh-uhh-uhh that were apart of every sentence he uttered. Worst whitehouse spokesperson ever.! Can't wait for the new one to arrive in 2012 when the Republican candidate wins.
We in Canada will miss u dearly, but hope will c u soon on campaign trail for 2012 to help Mr Obama win a second term. There has never been a more smart, intelligent white house press sec as Gibbs, as there is a say: "like father like son" Obama and Gibbs are the smartest America ever had!
Gibbs, you rocked!!! You were always "in between a rock and a hard place" when it came to your job. Job well done!!! I know we in NC love ya! You will be missed.
You must be kidding! This this guy couldn't fumble two words together without an uhhh, much less a sentence. NC doesn't miss this nor do I. Please speak for yourself and leave our great state out of it.
You go Gibbs I hate to see you go. Those republicans have barked too long, Accept the fact the we have a great Black President and many great people like Gibbs in his circle.
I love barak obama. matter of fact im in washington d.c right now. this happened on 5:43 pm. on friday january 11 , 2010
Gibbs loyalty to the administration and love for freedom were unparalleled. we ll miss him.
Gibbs is an easy person to listen to when it comes to politics. He always has a smile and and confidence. I just wish he was Republican... you will be missed...
Can't believe some of u actually believe that th President of the United States isn't American. So sad how much still exists.
Very well Mr. Gibbs. You severed the people well. The position you occupied required restraint and thoughtfulness. That is what you showed.
Varmuyah
Gibbs is quick witted and did a superb job..
His briefings were required viewing – and never disappointed.
I really don't think anyone will do the job as well as he did. Yes, he had some characteristic "uh's" when speaking.. when phrasing things for the ravenous sharks of the media, who are ready to twist any word you say, sometimes you have to take a moment and pause..
No one but Gibbs has swatted down the press's pointed questions so well. I'll miss ya Robert.
Don't let the door hit you where it counts on your way out to nowhere, you came from nothing and you go back to nothing. Good Riddance.
Don't let the door hit you where it counts on your way out to nowhere, you came from nothing and you go back to nothing. Good Riddance.McDonald's need a Chinese spokesman, please apply.
Mr gibbs i always thought you always made mr obama look good you look like the kind of person that liked people good luck
Attn nat you always loved the way g w bush made fun of people cheney was meaner mr cheney wants a new heart how can he get a new heart when he does not have a heart in the first place read my lipS
Hooo Hummmm–
BYE BYE OBAMA ASS KISSER!!!!
Forget obama name one good thing he has done thus far.
Dont worry Obama your new press secratary will be as much as an ass kisser as Gibbs.
It should be pore, not pour.
Massachusetts appreciate you work for the american family Gibbs. Good luck moving on!
Gibbs be blessed! President Obama u gt my vote again!
I see the anti-obama weirdos are out again today with their fantasies about no birth cerficate etc etc
Are you kidding me? the best? uh uh uh uh I uh dont think uh macab obama uh Will uh have uh chance uh gain after uh not listening to the uh majority uh but the minority rules in this country. one small complaint changes policy from any minority group or person filing a lawsuit. – true story-
I really didn't want to comment but when there is just some unrelenting un patriotic people speaking of our president in such a derogatory manner is a disgrace. How about Ms. Dana Perrino she was such a great forthright press security for a bunch of lieing uneducated people that will believe anything. That's not calling people stupid people will always listen to people that they feel they have more in common with which is understandable but when you just believe with out researching for yourself. How is it that people just listened to Bush about WMD's without any facts but don't believe Pre Obama about the amount of people dieing without healthcare with Facts. I'm not going to pull a race card but you do the math. The difference is people even gave President Junior Bush a chance after stealing an election from day one but from day one President Obama from day one been dealing with some birthers if u can't see the writing on the wall your just naïve or just listening to what your told. Let's be adults and do what's best for our country be as intelligent as possible by doing our research and not going by word of mouth. We are suppose to be a nation of leaders not followers and by people just sitting back listening to some people on the radio letting them dictate their thoughts. We cannot just listen to people who has problems themselves rant their issues with themselves.
I like your comment check out mine.
I feel like I'm either reading an article from the propaganda bureau of the DPRK about one of the Dear Leader's cronies or The Onion. You can't be serious with this drivel...who's kidding who here?
Didn't like your comment read mine
"GOD BLESS THE PRESIDENT, BARACK OBAMA AND HIS FAMILY, TOO. GO AHEAD WITH GREAT LOYALTY AND LOVE..."
He has a valid birth certificate that has been provided. It has been abundantly documented down to which hospital Mr. Obama was born at you dumdum sumvitch. (read it phonetically, if you are capable)
It is deeply discouraging to read the insults and just plain ignorance of what is likely the voting republican public...can none of you read? Is it possible that you simply listen to something a celebrity show host says and assume it's based in some kind of reality? Do none of you ever thing to validate information – question things? Without an informed public, our democracy suffers. People who can't answer basic questions correctly about policy, our politicians, events in our country (current or historical) should simply not vote.
Think* not 'thing' (self correction)
he seems like a nice guy. wonder why he left. it usually means they don't like something.
It's a shame how everyone here just argues back and forth. It would be nice if we could use all that energy to do some good. Same goes on Capitol Hill. God Bless us, we really need it,
Gibbs you have done a fine job for the past two years,sorry to see you go and thank you for your fine service. You will be missed.
Just because U dont agree wit Obama's policies doesnt mean U R a racist
He's a yutz, the entire current admimistration needs to be arrested,prosecuted for treason and fraud
...
I have read every single comment. I say until u can walk in Gibbs shoes there's nothing you can say about his job. If you thought he did such a BAD job, then why don't we see any of your faces on T.V. in his position. Unless you have walked the walked and talked the talked meaning you have been in Gibbs position then there is nothing you can say. I will say job well done Gibbs because none of us can say we would have done a better job being under such pressure. Let's be real about it. @ Dave I thank you for your last comment. Like you I didn't want to comment as well. @ Flyover combover what do you think you are doing when you are reading something it don't matter if its long or short. If you (generally speaking)
can read and understand then what does it matter if you feel like you are reading an article from propaganda. And you asked who kiddn who. I ask who are you kiddn.....I said what I wanted to say and I mean what I said that's it enuff already..........
He couldn't 'turn around' or communicate effectively the President's agenda. I got sick of hearing the rebuttals that didn't get to the core of the issues.
same old song and dance, when the mistakes come to light, drop the press sec, get another clinton puppet, nobody sees this bull-shit....
Thank you for job well done! It is appreciated!
To compare Obama to Bush is so unfair. Obama care about people not corporations and their rich CEO'S
Not only arrogant but mean and spiteful. Thin-skinned, just like his boss. BTW the left started the poisonous atmosphere with its attacks on Bush, so enjoy the turnabout.
It was clear the press was more then happy to see Gibbs go.
Its your god given right to hate some for their color(obama),or like them for their swagger(bush) but its not ok to be entittled to your version of the truth...long live mr Gibbs(GOAT)
For those among us who believe that racism has value I would like to ask them to picture the world they aspire to and then picture themselves living in that world. See yourself killing another human being, see yourself, your son or your father raping a black women and then see your mother look the other way. See a man lynched and burned hanging from the tree just a ways down from your house. Pitcher you trying to kill me and me trying to stop you. Picture that! Oh, and to all of you that don't or can't read, try it it's the most independent thing you can do. Formulate your own opinions and stop waiting for someone else to tell you what to think, believe and say. The world you save may be your own since most of you will not be allowed to board the Mothership (Lol) you'd better make this world a better place for people of every race.
! Typo self correction! "women" should be "woman" Sorry, now you're going to have to find something of
substance to attack. That is of course if you can.
Well done ass hole
'BASH OUR SERVICE PEOPLE'? Jay, you love to spew venom against Liberals and anyone who's even trying to understand the reasons and make sense of the actions being taken by PRESIDENT OBAMA! Had the same banner been put up claiming 'VICTORY' during OBAMAS' term, whether he, his people had put it up or not, you'd have had a field day with it; and ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE REALLY WASN'T A VICTORY! For you, that would've been ONE of your biggest OBAMA 'blasters'! Especially since we were still in there 'a-FIGHTIN'!
That 'Mission Accomplished' banner was still singing praises and accolading MR ARROGANT BUSH even though his 'misguided' decisions and bad policy of even setting off that IRAQ mission was failing! Our soldiers and maries were only doing what they were ordered to do. We have to support our troops no matter what, because they are obliged to obey their supriors and do their best jobs! We need to continue questioning the legitimacy of their superiors actions, as some of us are doing, and rightfully so!
@Love In The Bible; thank you for that beautiful comment and suggestion. I too wish that we could all get along, but it seems it's getting worse everyday PRES OBAMA is in office! These demons HATE that man and I know it's not ALL about the decisions he's been having to make! It's mainly about WHO'S making them! THEY HIDE UNDER POLITICS TO APPEAR POLITICALLY CORRECT; in other words IT LOOKS BETTER THAN THE TRUTH! @DREW, and you didn't call for the BUSH administration to be prosecuted for fraud and treason??
Job well done sir!!!