TPMDC Robert Gibbs
Robert Gibbs
Robert Gibbs To Rebut GOP After New Hampshire Debate
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
One former White House press secretary versus seven Republican presidential candidates? Robert GIbbs will take those odds.
President Obama's ex-spokesman is expected to hit the local and national airwaves tonight in New Hampshire after the Republican debate, the first to feature frontrunner Mitt Romney, freefalling Newt Gingrich, and Tea Party rabble-rouser Michele Bachmann. According to the Associated Press, his mission will be to defend the President from the inevitable spate of high-profile attacks from the 2012 field, getting in the White House's point of view on issues like the economy, health care, and Libya.
The appearance fits a broader reported strategy of maintaining a high profile and strong grassroots operation in early primary and caucus states like Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada, in order to prevent the GOP from scoring an organizational advantage over the course of the long nominating process and to make sure the GOP attacks on Obama are consistently rebutted.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: NewHampshireGOP, Robert Gibbs
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Obama Faces Challenge Of Defining Libya Strategy
Reuters reports: "President Barack Obama faces the challenge on Monday of convincing Americans he has clear military aims and a U.S. exit strategy in the Libya conflict as he seeks to counter growing congressional criticism. In a high-stakes televised address, Obama -- accused by many lawmakers of failing to explain the U.S. role in the Western air campaign against Libya's Muammar Qaddafi -- will try to define the mission's purpose and scope."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will participate in a 10:30 a.m. ET town hall on education, hosted by Univision. He will deliver an address on Libya 7:30 p.m. ET, from the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.
Topics: Barack Obama, Cuba, Facebook, Hispanics, Jimmy Carter, Libya, Robert Gibbs, Roundup
White House
Paul Begala: Possibilities For Gibbs After White House Are 'Limitless'
Former advisor to Bill Clinton
With White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs set to leave his post soon, we asked a former high-profile aide from another White House what issues can surround these kinds of transitions: Former Bill Clinton staffer and current CNN pundit Paul Begala.
"I don't know him very well personally, but I can tell you professionally I'm a huge admirer of Gibbs," Begala told TPM in a phone interview Wednesday. "Anything he turns to, he'd be good at it."
"Maybe he can spend 2011 doing other things that would only make him a more valuable assistant to President Obama. That team seems to have had a strategy in place for some time. It was an open secret that Axelrod is gonna leave after two years and Plouffe is gonna come in. I can't reveal my sources, but I was hearing that in the transition before President Obama was inaugurated. It just always seemed that would happen."
"It's good to bring people in who both already have a relationship with the president," Begala added, "but also aren't exhausted."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Paul Begala, Robert Gibbs, White House
Robert Gibbs
Gibbs On Tenure As Press Secretary: It Was 'Opportunity Of A Lifetime'
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs held his regular press briefing today -- the first since he announced that he will be stepping down. And as such, the subjects of his departure and the overall changes in White House staffing were quite prominent among reporters' questions.
"It is -- and you all know this because you do this as well -- it is an honor and a privilege to stand here, to work inside this building, to serve your country, to work for a president that I admire as much as President Barack Obama," said Gibbs. "I have been a member of his staff for almost seven years, and again it's a remarkable privilege. It is in many ways the opportunity of a lifetime, one that I will be forever thankful and grateful for."
"What I am going to do next is step back a bit, recharge some. We've been going at this pace for at least four years. I will have an opportunity to give some speeches, I will continue to provide advice and counsel to this building and this president. And I look forward to continuing to do that."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, David Axelrod, David Plouffe, Robert Gibbs
Robert Gibbs
Obama: Gibbs 'Will Continue to Shape The Dialogue'
President Barack Obama and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
President Obama is predicting that White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, who is stepping down from his position but will also advise Obama's 2012 re-election campaign, will continue to have a presence in American politics -- while also acknowledging that Gibbs needs some time off.
The New York Times reports:
President Obama, who is in the midst of making final decisions on the first major reorganization of his administration, said in a brief telephone interview on Wednesday that Mr. Gibbs would remain a close adviser and "will continue to shape the dialogue politically for many years to come."PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)
"We've been on this ride together since I won my Senate primary in 2004," Mr. Obama said. "He's had a six-year stretch now where basically he's been going 24/7 with relatively modest pay. I think it's natural for someone like Robert to want to step back for a second to reflect, retool and that, as a consequence, brings about both challenges and opportunities for the White House."
Topics: 2012 elections, Barack Obama, Pres '12, Robert Gibbs
2012 elections
Gibbs To Step Down As Obama's Press Secretary -- To Help Obama Campaign
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
In the newest round of White House shake-ups, none other than White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs is set to leave. Or perhaps it's not so much an exit as an inter-departmental transfer across the total Obama operation.
The New York Times reports:
Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary and close confidante to President Obama, said Wednesday that he will step down and become an outside political adviser to the president and his re-election campaign.PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)
Mr. Gibbs said that he intends to leave the podium in early February. His successor has not yet been decided, he said, but will likely be announced within the next two weeks.
Topics: 2012 elections, Barack Obama, Pres '12, Robert Gibbs
START treaty
DeMint Ditches Plan To Force Reading Of START Treaty
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) is calling off his plans to read every word of the START Treaty on the Senate floor, MSNBC and others report.
DeMint was planning to force a reading of the START Treaty, the nuclear arms reduction deal President Barack Obama negotiated with Russia earlier this year, and Sen. Daniel Inouye's (D-HI) omnibus bill. Reading both bills -- which are thousands of pages in length -- could have taken days.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Jim DeMint, Robert Gibbs, START treaty
START treaty
Gibbs Condemns DeMint's Plans To Force Reading Of START Treaty
White House Press Sec. Robert Gibbs
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs today called Sen. Jim DeMint's (R-SC) plans to force a reading of the START Treaty a "new low in putting political stunts ahead of our national security" and "exactly the kind of Washington game-playing that the American people are sick of."
"Every minute that the START Treaty is being read on the Senate floor increases the time that we lack verification of Russia's nuclear arsenal," Gibbs said in a statement, adding that the bill has already been the subject of almost 20 Senate hearings.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Jim DeMint, Lame duck sesion, Robert Gibbs, START treaty
WikiLeaks
Gibbs On WikiLeaks: Stealing And Disseminating Classified Info Is A Crime
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs addressed the release of State Department cables by the website WikiLeaks in a press conference today, noting that President Obama "was -- as an understatement -- not pleased with this information becoming public."
"Open and transparent government," Gibbs continued, "is something the President believes is truly important. But the stealing of classified info and its dissemination is a crime."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Robert Gibbs, WikiLeaks
Barack Obama
Slurpees Get Slushy As White House Summit Postponed
President Obama speaks at a bipartisan White House gathering with Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) in the background.
At the request of Congressional Republican leaders the "Slurpee Summit," proposed by President Obama the day after the midterm elections and tentatively scheduled this Thursday, will be put off for a while.
A statement from Press Secretary Robert Gibbs reads, "At the request of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader John Boehner due to scheduling conflicts in organizing their caucuses, the President's meeting with bipartisan leaders will now take place at the White House on Tuesday, November 30th."
McConnell's spokesman Don Stewart sends over this statement: "The meeting will happen but a date is not yet set; the schedulers are working to find the best date/time to make it happen. We'll have a meeting so that we can discuss issues that Republicans have long said can be accomplished together. These include reducing spending, growing jobs through increased trade and increasing domestic energy. The Leader is encouraged that the President wants to discuss these areas of agreement."
It looks like it might happen on November 30.
Late update: Whew! Stewart says, "The meeting will happen on Nov. 30. We'll have a meeting so that we can discuss issues that Republicans have long said can be accomplished together. These include reducing spending, growing jobs through increased trade and increasing domestic energy. The Leader is encouraged that the President wants to discuss these areas of agreement."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, Republicans, Robert Gibbs
Roundup
TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Graham: 'We're Going To Have Some Bipartisanship On Tax Cuts And Replacing The Health Care Bill
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) predicted that Republican gains in Congress would result in more compromise from President Obama and the Democrats. "About bipartisanship after the election, I predict there will be a good bit of effort," said Graham. "There will be a bipartisan effort to extend the Bush tax cuts and not let them expire. 2012 and 2014, Democrats in swing states are going to get the message from independent voters to come to the middle. So I think we're going to have some bipartisanship when it comes to replacing the health care bill with a more moderate approach."
Axelrod: Whether Obama Can Work With GOP Is 'Up To Them'
Appearing on State of the Union, White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod indicated that President Obama's approach to working with Republicans would not change, in terms of compromises on such key issues as the extension of the Bush tax cuts, if Republicans make significant gains in November. "It's up to us to extend our hand (to Republicans) as we have before," said Axelrod. "It's up to them to decide whether they're going to take it or whether they're going to do what they've done for the last 2 years."
Topics: 2010 elections, Chris Coons, Christine O'Donnell, DE-SEN, David Addington, David Axelrod, Health Care, John Cornyn, Lindsey Graham, Meghan McCain, Robert Gibbs, Roundup, Senate '10, Sunday Shows
Bob Woodward
Top 5 Leaks In Obama's Wars: Secret Armies, Terrorist Attacks And Political Strategizing
Author Bob Woodward
News outlets that got a sneak peek Bob Woodward's latest book found that President Obama fretted that, without a timetable for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, he would lose support from his Democratic base. Woodward's Obama's Wars, out Monday, reveals an administration sparring over policy for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, an Obama shaken by the potential of a terrorist attack and a secret CIA army helping fight terrorism in Pakistan.
Woodward, who wrote three books about President George W. Bush, interviewed administration officials, Cabinet members, Obama and Vice President Joe Biden for the book. Obama's Wars focuses mostly on Afghanistan and Obama's decision to send a surge of 30,000 troops there as he pulled combat troops from Iraq.
Here are the top 5 revelations out today.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 'Obama's Wars', Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Bob Woodward, CIA, Iraq, Joe Biden, Robert Gibbs, Terrorism, War council, White House
Newt Gingrich
Gingrich Promotes Right-Winger D'Souza's Description Of Obama As 'Kenyan Anti-Colonial'
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA)
Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) is digging in on his contention that President Obama is motivated by a "Kenyan, anti-colonial" ideology -- and citing a very interesting source for the argument, the right-wing author Dinesh D'Souza, who has written sympathetically of Islamic extremism against what he has described as America's decadent cultural liberalism.
As National Review's Robert Costa reported over the weekend:
Gingrich says that D'Souza has made a "stunning insight" into Obama's behavior -- the "most profound insight I have read in the last six years about Barack Obama."PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)
"What if [Obama] is so outside our comprehension, that only if you understand Kenyan, anti-colonial behavior, can you begin to piece together [his actions]?" Gingrich asks. "That is the most accurate, predictive model for his behavior."
Topics: 2010 elections, Birther, Dinesh D'Souza, Newt Gingrich, Pres '12, Robert Gibbs
Social Security
Gibbs: Despite Titgate, Simpson 'Will Continue To Serve' On Debt Commission
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
Progressive activists have one more reason to be dissatisfied with the White House. A growing coalition of groups, along with members of Congress and Congressional hopefuls, have called in recent days for Social Security foe Alan Simpson to be fired from the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. Today, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said it's not gonna happen.
"Senator Simpson sent an email that he's now apologized for," Gibbs said at the daily White House press briefing today. "We regret that he sent that email. We don't condone those comments. But Senator Simpson has and will continue to serve on the commission."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Alan Simpson, Barack Obama, Debt, Debt Commission, Fiscal Commission, Fiscal Resonsibility, MoveOn, Robert Gibbs, Social Security, White House
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Gibbs: Liberal Detractors 'Ought To Be Drug Tested'
The Hill reports: "The White House is simmering with anger at criticism from liberals who say President Obama is more concerned with deal-making than ideological purity. During an interview with The Hill in his West Wing office, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs blasted liberal naysayers, whom he said would never regard anything the president did as good enough. 'I hear these people saying he's like George Bush. Those people ought to be drug tested,' Gibbs said. 'I mean, it's crazy.'"
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET, and the economic daily briefing at 10:30 a.m. ET. He will deliver remarks on teacher jobs at 11:40 a.m. ET. He will meet at 1:50 p.m. ET with senior advisers. At 2:45 p.m. ET, he will participate in an Ambassador Credentialing Ceremony. He will meet at 4:30 p.m. ET with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
Topics: 2010 elections, Barack Obama, Census, Nuclear nonproliferation, Robert Gibbs, Roundup
Elizabeth Warren
Franken, Progressive Groups Begin Whip Campaign For Elizabeth Warren
Chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel created to oversee the expenditure of TARP, Elizabeth Warren.
The Progressive Change Campaign Committee and its new affiliate, the P St. Project, will launch a public campaign this week with the help of Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) to whip up support in the Senate for Elizabeth Warren's nomination and confirmation to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
PCCC, in partnership with the progressive group CREDO, rounded up 200,000 petition signatures in support of Warren, and will now team up with Franken to urge members to publicly commit to voting for her.
"Elizabeth Warren has proven that she is willing to stand up to Wall Street on behalf of consumers and is the logical choice to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau," Franken said. "If appointed by President Obama, I would vote to confirm Elizabeth Warren to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (3)Topics: Al Franken, Chris Dodd, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Elizabeth Warren, Financial Reform, Robert Gibbs, Ted Kaufman, Wall Street, White House
Elizabeth Warren
Dodd: No Recess Appointment For Warren, Who Still May Not Be Confirmable
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd cast more doubts this afternoon about whether Elizabeth Warren could garner enough votes to head the newly created consumer financial protection bureau, one day after White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs called her "very confirmable."
"I don't know, that's the question, how does he know that?" Dodd said in response to a question from TPMDC on his way in to the Democrats' weekly policy lunch.
"She's qualified, no question about that. The question is whether she's confirmable," Dodd added. "The issue is [if] you can't confirm somebody, if you go six or seven months without someone in that job, you've got a problem."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Chris Dodd, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Elizabeth Warren, Financial Reform, Recess appointments, Robert Gibbs, Senate, Wall Street, White House
Steny Hoyer
Dems And GOPers Spar Over Timing Of Unemployment Benefits Extension
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
The good news is that unemployment benefits will soon be restored for millions of out of work Americans. The bad news is that it won't happen until another round of Beltway yammering comes to a close.
Democrats are taking up their megaphones, hammering Republicans for -- yet again -- forcing a delay in passage of unemployment benefits.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Harry Reid, Republicans, Robert Gibbs, Steny Hoyer, Unemployment
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Arizona Immigration Law To Get First Major Court Hearing
The Associated Press reports: "A federal judge is scheduled to hear arguments Thursday over whether Arizona's new immigration law should take effect later this month, marking the first major hearing in one of seven challenges to the strict law. U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton also will consider arguments over Gov. Jan Brewer's request to dismiss the challenge filed by Phoenix police Officer David Salgado and the statewide nonprofit group Chicanos Por La Causa. The judge said last week she wasn't making any promises on whether she will rule on the officer's request to block enforcement of the law before it takes effect July 29."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and will meet at 10 a.m. ET with senior advisers. He will depart from the White House at 10:45 a.m. ET, and depart from Andrews Air Force Base at 11 a.m. ET, arriving at 12:35 p.m. ET in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He will deliver remarks at 1:30 p.m. ET at the groundbreaking of the new Compact Power plant, an electric vehicle battery company funded by the stimulus program. He will depart from Grand Rapids at 3:15 p.m. ET, arriving at Andrews Air Force Base at 4:45 p.m. ET, and back at the White House at 5 p.m. ET.
Topics: 2010 elections, Arizona, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Mitch McConnell, NRCC, Pentagon budget, Pete Sessions, Robert Gibbs, Roundup, Senate '10
2010 elections
Gibbs Lauds Pelosi After Fall Election Prediction Fallout
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs this afternoon tried to tamp down any fallout from a spat with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, praising her work on behalf of the Obama administration. He said she has done "monumental" work in "passing the agenda of this president."
Reporters asked Gibbs about reports that Pelosi (D-CA) sounded off about the press secretary during a Democratic caucus meeting. This is the third day in a row Gibbs has been asked to explain his remarks from NBC's Meet the Press that there is "no doubt" Republicans could take back the House this fall.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2010 elections, House Democrats, Nancy Pelosi, Robert Gibbs
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Pelosi Slams Gibbs for 'Politically Inept' House Forecast
CQ reports: "Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) slammed White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs during Tuesday night's House Democratic Caucus meeting for saying Sunday that Democrats could lose control of the House in November. Several Democratic sources in the room described a testy scenario that started with Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (N.J.) criticizing Gibbs for saying on NBC's 'Meet the Press' that there is 'no doubt there's enough seats in play' to allow for a House GOP takeover in 2012. Things heated up as Pelosi jumped in and blasted Gibbs for making 'politically inept' comments, according to one source."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President received the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and the economic daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET. Obama will meet at 10:30 a.m. ET with senior advisers. Obama and Biden will have lunch at 12:30 p.m. ET with Senators. At 2:05 p.m. ET, Obama will briefly attend a meeting to discuss the progress made by the Administration's increased cybersecurity efforts. Obama and Biden will meet at 5 p.m. ET with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and will meet at 5:40 p.m. ET with the House Democratic leadership.
Topics: 2010 elections, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Donald Berwick, Gulf Coast Oil Spill, Joe Biden, K Street, Lobbying, Nancy Pelosi, Oil Spill, Robert Gibbs, Roundup, Stimulus
Immigration
Immigration Reform: The Hot Tamale No One Wants To Touch
Sign warning drivers of pedestrian crossing in Southern California along U.S.-Mexico border.
Attorney General Eric Holder Sunday denied that the timing of the Justice Department's lawsuit against Arizona's immigration law has anything to do with the looming midterm elections. But question remain about whether the Obama administration really did bring the lawsuit now to help Democrats with Latino voters and drive a wedge between Republicans this fall.
If so, the lawsuit is likely to be the only immigration policy action on which lawmakers will be able to campaign, if the Sunday show appearances by members of Congress are any indication of the lack of appetite for passing a comprehensive immigration reform measure this year.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2010 elections, Arizona, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, Brian Bilbray, David Axelrod, Eric Holder, Immigration, Jan Brewer, Robert Gibbs, Trent Franks
2010 elections
Gibbs: 'No Doubt' Republicans Could Take Back The House (VIDEO)
Robert Gibbs
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said yesterday that there's "no doubt" Republicans have the chance to take back the House in November.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2010 elections, House '10, House Republicans, Meet the Press, Robert Gibbs
Sunday Shows
The Sunday Show Line-Ups
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:
• ABC, This Week: White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-CA).
• CBS, Face The Nation: Attorney General Eric Holder.
• CNN, State Of The Union: Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM), White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod, Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ), BP Victim Compensation Fund administrator Ken Feinberg.
• Fox News Sunday: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ).
• NBC, Meet The Press: White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Benjamin Netanyahu, Bill Richardson, Brian Bilbray, David Axelrod, Eric Holder, Israel, Israel/Palestine, Jon Kyl, Ken Feinberg, Luis Gutierrez, Robert Gibbs, Sunday Shows
CO-SEN
Gibbs Tries To Downplay Obama Admin's Romanoff Job Talks
Andrew Romanoff (D)
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs is trying to knock down chatter that the Obama Administration offered ex-Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff a job so that he'd pass on challenging incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) in Colorado's August 10 Democratic Senate primary.
Romanoff had already applied for a job through normal channels during the presidential transition, Gibbs said, when White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina called and emailed him last September to see if Romanoff was still interested in the job, or whether he was running for Senate.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Andrew Romanoff, CO-SEN, Robert Gibbs
Roundup
TPMDC Saturday Roundup
Weekend Address: Obama Honors Memorial Day
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama honored Memorial Day weekend by recognizing the sacrifices of fallen American soldiers.
"That commitment - that willingness to lay down their lives so we might inherit the blessings of this nation - is what we honor today. But on this Memorial Day, as on every day, we are called to honor their ultimate sacrifice with more than words. We are called to honor them with deeds," said Obama. "We are called to honor them by doing our part for the loved ones our fallen heroes have left behind and looking after our military families. By making sure the men and women serving this country around the world have the support they need to achieve their missions and come home safely. By making sure veterans have the care and assistance they need. In short, by serving all those who have ever worn the uniform of this country - and their families - as well as they have served us."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: America Speaking Out, Arizona, BP, Barack Obama, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Gays in the military, Gulf Coast Oil Spill, Immigration, James Carville, Joe McGinniss, Kevin McCarthy, Oil Spill, Robert Gibbs, Roundup, Sarah Palin
Roundup
TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Cornyn: Rand Paul Did 'The Right Thing' Canceling Meet The Press Appearance
Appearing on Meet The Press, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (R-TX) said: "Well, Dr. Paul's new to running for public office, and I think it's Bob's [Menendez] experience, I'm sure my experience, that you see novice candidates occasionally stumble on questions. I think he's clarified his position. But I think he's done the right thing. As much fun as this is, David [Gregory], to be here with you, I think he needs to be talking to the voters back in Kentucky, the people who actually will be able to cast a ballot on whether he's elected as the next United States senator or not."
Palin: Media Seizing An Opportunity To Get Rand Paul Like They Did Me
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Sarah Palin defended Senate nominee Rand Paul (R-KY) over his comments opposing portions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, saying that the media was out to get him in the same way they targeted herself: "One thing that we can learn in this lesson that I have learned and Rand Paul is learning now is don't assume that you can engage in a hypothetical discussion about constitutional impacts with a reporter or a media personality who has an agenda, who may be prejudiced before they even get into the interview in regards to what your answer may be -- and then the opportunity that they seize to get you."
Topics: BP, Civil Rights Act, John Cornyn, KY-SEN, Michael Steele, Oil Spill, Rand Paul, Richard Blumenthal, Robert Gibbs, Roundup, Sarah Palin, Sunday Shows, Thad Allen, Tim Kaine
Sunday Shows
The Sunday Show Line-Ups
Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:
• ABC, This Week: Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele.
• CBS, Face The Nation: White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA).
• CNN, State Of The Union: Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA), Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), BP managing director Bob Dudley.
• Fox News Sunday: Former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK), Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele.
• NBC, Meet The Press: Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA), Senate nominee Rand Paul (R-KY), National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (R-TX), Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ).
Late Update: Rand Paul has canceled his Meet The Press appearance, citing exhaustion.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: 2010 elections, Ed Rendell, Joe Sestak, John Cornyn, KY-SEN, Lamar Alexander, Michael Steele, PA-SEN, Rand Paul, Robert Gibbs, Robert Menendez, Sarah Palin, Senate '10, Sunday Shows, Tim Kaine
Joe Lieberman
Nobody's Showing Up To Joe Lieberman's TEA Party
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
It's probably a safe bet that if House Republican Leader John Boehner backs away from a conservative, terrorism-related bill called "TEA," the legislation both goes too far, and isn't going anywhere.
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) captured big headlines, and interesting supporters, when he proposed the Terrorist Expatriation Act, which would amend current law to allow the State Department to revoke the citizenship of Americans they deem to be members of foreign terrorist organizations. Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) joined his push. So did House Democrat Jason Altmire, who hails from a competitive district in Pennsylvania.
But that's about all she wrote.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Chuck Grassley, Democrats, Hillary Clinton, Jason Altmire, Joe Lieberman, John Boehner, Nancy Pelosi, Republicans, Robert Gibbs, Scott Brown, Terrorism
POTUS loves sports
Gibbs Wears Canadian Hockey Jersey To Briefing After Losing Bet (VIDEO)
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs appeared at today's press briefing wearing a Canadian hockey jersey, fulfilling his end of a lost wager.
And then, surprise! Halfway through Gibbs pulled off the Canadian jersey, revealing a U.S. hockey jersey underneath.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, Olympics, POTUS loves sports, Robert Gibbs, Stephen Harper
Sunday Shows
The Sunday Show Line-Ups
Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:
• ABC, This Week: White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
• CBS, Face The Nation: White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), America's Health Insurance Plans President Karen Ignagni.
• CNN, State Of The Union: House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod.
• Fox News Sunday: White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), former Bush White House Senior Adviser Karl Rove.
• NBC, Meet The Press: White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC), Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), former Bush White House Senior Adviser Karl Rove.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: AHIP, Chris Van Hollen, David Axelrod, Dick Durbin, Eric Cantor, James Clyburn, John Boehner, Karen Ignagni, Karl Rove, Lindsey Graham, Robert Gibbs, Sunday Shows
Health Care
Obama Delaying Trip For Health Care
President Barack Obama
President Obama will delay his trip to Indonesia and Australia by several days to see health care reform over the finish line, the White House announced today. An aide confirmed the president won't leave March 18 as planned and instead will stay with the expectation the House will be voting on the Senate health care bill.
Obama will leave March 21 and return March 26, the aide said.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, who for days has insisted the schedule would not change, detailed the news on his Twitter feed this morning. "The President will delay leaving for Indonesia and Australia - will now leave Sunday - the First Lady and the girls will not be on the trip," Gibbs wrote.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, Health Care, Michelle Obama, Robert Gibbs
Supreme Court
Gibbs: Supreme Court Shouldn't Have Been Uncomfortable At SOTU -- Citizens United Was Their Decision! (VIDEO)
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
The clash between the White House and Supreme Court sparked anew this afternoon as White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs challenged Chief Justice John Roberts' criticism of the president's State of the Union address.
"It didn't seem like a pep rally to me," Gibbs said today at his daily briefing with reporters, responding to Roberts telling law students this week he didn't seen the point in the high court attending the State of the Union.
The spat started at the address when President Obama said he strongly disagreed with the court's decision in the Citizens United case on campaign finance. At the time as cameras zoomed in for the rate moment of judicial branch criticism, Justice Samuel Alito mouthed "not true."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Citizens United, Robert Gibbs, State Of The Union, Supreme Court
Health Care
Dems To White House: Enough With The Health Care Timelines Already!
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA)
Congressional Democrats are under increasing pressure to finish up health care reform, but they've had enough of the White House dictating deadlines to them. And at a bicameral leadership meeting this afternoon--attended by White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and other administration officials--they made that very clear.
"I was at a meeting with Rahm Emanuel and he was certainly informed that we don't feel that we want any deadline assigned to us," House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman told a few reporters outside of a Democratic caucus meeting this evening. "We want to pass the bill, we want to make sure it's the way it should be, and soon as possible, but we don't feel that we have to have any particular deadline."
I asked Waxman how Emanuel reacted to the pushback?
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Democrats, Dick Durbin, Health Care, Henry Waxman, House of Representatives, Rahm Emanuel, Robert Gibbs, Senate, Steny Hoyer, White House
Health Care
Another Countdown: White House Pushing March 18 As New Health Care Deadline
David Axelrod and President Obama
Deadlines have long come and gone when it comes to the White House and health care, but top Obama administration officials have been saying today they think the House will hold a vote before the president leaves for his trip to Indonesia and Australia later this month.
"What happens in the next 10 days will be critical," President Obama's senior adviser David Axelrod told pro-reform advocacy groups today on a conference call hosted by the White House Office of Public Engagement. Call-in details were provided to TPMDC.
"This is it, this is the big moment that we've been working for for a year," Axelrod said. "If we march together we can achieve it."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: David Axelrod, Health Care, Nancy-Ann DeParle, Robert Gibbs, White House
AR-SEN
Obama And Blanche Lincoln Agree To Disagree, Gibbs Says
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs continued to push the administration's support for embattled Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) at the White House's daily briefing with reporters today.
Lincoln has become the focal point of progressive discontent within the Democratic party since Lt. Gov. Bill Halter decided to run against her in the Democratic primary this week. The race has pitted the AFL-CIO, the netroots and other progressive groups backing Halter against the mainstream Democratic establishment, who so far has publicly backed Lincoln. On Monday, Gibbs said the White House is supporting Lincoln, "as an incumbent senator."
Today, Gibbs went farther, defending Lincoln's right to take stances that have angered the left.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: AR-SEN, Blanche Lincoln, Robert Gibbs, White House
Unemployment benefits
Asked To Shame Bunning's Obstruction Gibbs Tells Press 'I'm Trying As Best I Can' (VIDEO)
Press Sec. Robert Gibbs at the White House Press Briefing, March 1, 2010
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters during his daily briefing Monday that he's tried to shine a light on Republican obstruction and hypocrisy.
Veteran scribe Helen Thomas asked Gibbs why he doesn't "shame" Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) for holding up unemployment benefits.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Budget Reconciliation, Jim Bunning, Reconciliation, Robert Gibbs, Unemployment benefits, White House
Health Care
Obama's New Health Care Plan To Have Both Substance And Process
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
President Obama Wednesday will detail both the substance of his final health care reform legislation proposal and the process for getting it through Congress once and for all.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters during his daily briefing today that Obama will offer the pathway to final passage by outlining the "next steps." But Gibbs also dodged questions on specifics or how the president would help Speaker Nancy Pelosi or Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid secure enough votes in their chambers.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, Budget Reconciliation, Health Care, Health Care Summit, Reconciliation, Robert Gibbs
AR-SEN
White House Backs Lincoln In Arkansas Primary
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)
President Obama is sticking with Sen. Blanche Lincoln in the May 18 Democratic primary in Arkansas.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs confirmed today that Obama will keep with his trend of supporting the sitting senator in party primaries, as he's done with Sen. Arlen Specter over Rep. Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania and in supporting Sen. Michael Bennet in Colorado.
"We support Senator Lincoln as an incumbent senator," Gibbs told reporters today during his daily briefing.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2010 elections, AR-SEN, Barack Obama, Bill Halter, Blanche Lincoln, Robert Gibbs, White House
Health Care
White House On Public Option Letter: It's Up To Reid (VIDEO)
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters today that it's up to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid whether to try to pass a public option via reconciliation.
Gibbs was asked for comment on the letter urging Reid to pass a public option with 50 votes. The letter has been signed by 20 senators so far.
"I think they've asked for a vote on the floor of the Senate, and that's up to those who manage the amendments, and to Leader Reid," Gibbs said.
A Senate leadership aide told TPMDC last week that such a measure can't pass without explicit support from the president.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Barack Obama, Harry Reid, Health Care, Public Option, Robert Gibbs
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