TPMDC
Gibbs, Eyes Glistening, Describes Dover AFB: "It's Hard Not To Be Overwhelmed"
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
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White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs showed a rare flash of emotion this morning reflecting on his own experience at President Obama's side in the predawn hours at Dover Air Force Base as the bodies of 18 killed in Afghanistan arrived in the United States.
Eyes glistening, Gibbs told reporters during a gaggle in his West Wing office he'd never had such an experience.
"You get a real sense of gravity when you see the faces of those there to grieve for a loved one," Gibbs said after TPMDC asked him about his own reaction during the surprise visit.
"These were very recent deaths," he continued. "You can see the genuine anguish on their faces. It's hard not to be overwhelmed by what you see."
Gibbs said the visit was something Obama had wanted to do since he approved a new policy allowing for open coverage of the Dover arrival of the war dead.
He said the planning first began Tuesday night and was finally decided at noon yesterday, about 11 hours before Marine One lifted off for the solemn trip.
There were 14 families represented at the transfer ceremony, Gibbs said.
He said there was no discussion about the president's decision-making on whether to send a surge of up to 40,000 troops to Afghanistan.
"Last night was not about soliciting advice on a resource request or a path forward in Afghanistan," Gibbs said, but instead was about offering prayers and "sincere, deepest sympathies."
The helicopter ride back to the White House was quiet with the exception of Obama thanking staff for arranging the trip.
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Walter Mitty
October 29, 2009 11:11 AM
Does the President always have to take press with him by law? Why was it necessary to go only after the press ban was lifted?
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Phantasm
October 29, 2009 11:47 AM in reply to Walter Mitty
@WalterMitty: He didn't take the press with him. The press secy generally accompanies the President everywhere. I see no indication that the press was present. As for why the President went "only after the ban was lifted:" what connection is there between the Bush/Cheney era ban, which was lifted by the current administration, and this visit by the Commander-In-Chief to pay respects to fallen troops?
Seems to me you're inferring and imputing nefarious motives. Your innuendo is quite obvious. This was a solemn occasion that occurred in the wee hours. Your snide, passive-aggressive comments are shameful.
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debbiedoesnothing
October 29, 2009 2:17 PM in reply to Phantasm
I don't know Walter or his history here but the article said: >>> Gibbs said the visit was something Obama had wanted to do since he approved a new policy allowing for open coverage of the Dover arrival of the war dead.
I had the same question - why was that relevant to Obama's decision? It sounds like something Gibbs may have said in passing but it made me curious.
When you all attack someone like that - calling this guy an idiot and a douchebag - it makes TPM look bad. It makes YOU all look like a bunch of trolls.
I used to be a regular here and I stopped hanging around because of all the personal attacks.
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CT Voter
October 29, 2009 2:56 PM in reply to debbiedoesnothing
I had the same question - why was that relevant to Obama's decision
He probably could have visited without the removing the ban on the reporters, but that removal took place pretty early after inauguration, so it would have been more difficult, I would think, schedule-wise.
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kash79
October 29, 2009 12:16 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
Walter your an idiot to suggest what I think you're suggesting. Even for you, this is disgustingly cynical.
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FreeRider
October 29, 2009 1:09 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
Yes. The press pool MUST accompany the president everywhere. Got that, genius?
The entire press gaggle does not have to go but a pool reporter follows the president every-fucking-where! To his kids soccer games, to a restaurant for dinner with his wife, on a golf outing and YES. . . to Dover when the bodies of our troops come home.
Gosh, what a fucking, idiot douchebag you are.
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human
October 29, 2009 1:26 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
Well I think Obama lifted the press ban on Dover almost as soon as he took office, so it would be kind of hard for this president to visit before it was lifted. OTOH, Bush never visited with or without a ban.
Do you really have to go searching for some negative aspect when it comes to this particular story? I'm sure the wingnuts will handle that on their own.
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sbv
October 29, 2009 11:15 AM
we have lost so much in blood and treasure since cheney/bush et. al opened this pandora's box with so few sacrificing so much. that the msm gives any validation and/or credence to those like cheney and family, gaffney and all those who put all in playing with other's money, is immoral. may God grant this good man the wisdom to do what is right for these families and all of america.
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OceanDog
October 29, 2009 11:51 AM
Visits to Dover:
President Obama - 1 (9 months into term)
George W. Bush - 0 (in 8 years)
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CT Voter
October 29, 2009 2:47 PM in reply to OceanDog
Could you please e-mail this to Mark Knoller of CBS? Perhaps this could get more attention than the number of times Obama golfed compared to the number of times Bush golfed.
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Rockridge
October 29, 2009 3:04 PM in reply to CT Voter
Mark Knoller was all over the Dover visit, before and after.
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CT Voter
October 29, 2009 3:06 PM in reply to Rockridge
I'm happy to be corrected.
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jfields
October 29, 2009 12:19 PM
Walter Mitty: Shut the fuck up.
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The Old Grouch
October 29, 2009 1:59 PM in reply to jfields
Co-sign. With extreme prejudice.
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Dorn76
October 29, 2009 12:34 PM
I'm so glad the President made this trip. Nothing could drive home the awesome responsibilty of his office like the sight of those flag draped coffins, and the grieving famiilies. I know he will have these close in mind as he debates our next move in Afghanistan.
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debbiedoesnothing
October 29, 2009 2:18 PM in reply to Dorn76
I agree. And in this case, I think press coverage of the president would be a good thing because it helps drive it home for all of us.
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draftedin68
October 29, 2009 2:42 PM
Where's muh chainsaw?...
At 14 per day, Duhhbya, once he caused the stream of coffins, would've needed over 400 trips to Dover.
Too much brush to cut.
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CT Voter
October 29, 2009 2:58 PM
Walter Mitty has every right to raise those questions, and if any of you telling him to STFU were familiar with Walter (Jonze) Mitty's mode of questioning, these questions are not altogether surprising. No matter the situation, WM is going to think of every possible problem with that situation. This is no exception.
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Rockridge
October 29, 2009 3:06 PM
This was an extremely significant event, imho, as Af/Pak decisions loom. The president is engaged as a human being; instinctively, I have more confidence in his deliberation process, and I think that is the message he means to convey. I am proud of my president.
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MT from CC
October 30, 2009 3:28 AM
After eight years of the Chimp, Darth Vader, Turdblossom, and the rest of the gang at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for the last 8 years, I can hardly believe we elected an intelligent, compassionate and pragmatic man to make this decision. I don't agree with him all the time, but one cannot help be convinced that he is motivated by the sincere desire to make the right decision based on a complete analysis of as much accurate information as the intelligence community, military, diplomatic corps, private sources, and international sources, as can possibly be gathered and distilled, BEFORE actually making what may prove to be an irreversible decision.
Now compare and contrast to the Chimp. His only desire, and that of his ill tempered overlord, Dick, was to make the partisan decision, the politically advantageous decision, hte decision that would line their pockets and those of their closest friends and associates. And then to make sure that they could put together the analysis and intelligence that showed that they had not made a choice, but rather followed an absolute imperitive, one that only a traitor could not see as clearly as they did.
It's sometimes hard to believe that they are gone. It's even harder to believe that anybody would want to bring them back.
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June 8, 2010 4:35 AM
Well I think Obama lifted the press ban on Dover almost as soon as he took office, so it would be kind of hard for this president to visit before it was lifted. OTOH, Bush never visited with or without a ban.
Do you really have to go searching for some negative aspect when it comes to this particular story? I'm sure the wingnuts will handle that on their own.
m65 kamagra
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