TPMDC

Gibbs Says Obama Hasn't Talked To Reid And Calls Lieberman Questions 'Hypothetical'

Spread the word. Share this article on Facebook!

Share

White House Press Sec. Robert Gibbs

Share

Twitter Fark Reddit Send to a Friend

Send to a friend!

To email:    Your Name:    Your email:

President Obama hasn't talked to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in the last few days since the votes for the health care bill seemed to fall away on Capitol Hill.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters this afternoon Obama last spoke with Reid last week when leadership huddled with him here.

Reporters - including TPMDC - sort of ganged up on Gibbs to pin him down, but he dismissed questions about Sen. Joe Lieberman's stance on the public option and a potential filibuster as hypotheticals.

"I'm not going to judge the end of this process by what people say today," Gibbs said.

He cited Lieberman (I-CT) saying today that he would vote for the motion to bring the health care bill to the floor, adding "That's the first part of the process."

Reporters reminded him the filibuster part is a bit more important, and Gibbs interrupted, "Can't get to the second before you get to the first."

Asked if Obama and Lieberman have spoken, Gibbs said he wasn't sure the last time.

"The legislative affairs team is in touch with many on Capitol Hill," he said.

Gibbs also went into where things stand with health care.

Late update: We clipped video of the briefing.

Comments (6) | Join the Conversation!

Recommend Recommend (1)

October 28, 2009 1:42 PM   

Gibbs handled it well.

Reply | Flag Abuse

Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?

October 28, 2009 1:56 PM   

Second that....tightrope successfully walked

Reply | Flag Abuse

Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?

October 28, 2009 2:19 PM   

"Tried to pin him down." Meaning they tried to force him to give an incindiary answer that would rapidly reduce a complicated and tense, but potentially salvageable, situation into a more easily reported, ratings-enhancing, ugly intractible conflict.

It's better than the servile transcription that was the norm under Bush until Katrina, I suppose, but it's odd how it only happens when a Democrat is president.

Reply | Flag Abuse

Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?

October 28, 2009 2:51 PM    in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve

Indeed

Reply | Flag Abuse

Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?

October 28, 2009 5:10 PM    in reply to Viva!America!

Good old liberal media...

Reply | Flag Abuse

Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?

rwc

user-pic

October 28, 2009 5:36 PM    in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve

Agreed, we can't afford to completly alienate Lieberman or any of the conservadems, for that matter, or we'll never get anything done on HCR. I think Reid's opt-out plan is the best we can expect from this present Senate. Get that passed and hopefully move up some of the activation dates on HCR so voters can see something tangible, and Dems will increase their seats in the Senate in 2010 -- there are several open/vulnerable GOP seats up for grabs then and very few Dem ones, with the biggest exception being Reid's seat itself. Get a few more seats in the caucus in 2010 and then with glee, kick out Lieberman.

Reply | Flag Abuse

Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?

Leave a comment

Your response:

Follow us!

Most Popular

TPM Stories Now Surging on