As a strong Obama supporter I do have to vent about this

[USArmyParatrooper]

Robert Gibbs is the worst Press Secretary I can remember in my lifetime. I'm not saying anything bad about him personally, but Obama should have replaced him a long time ago. I often see him choke when there's really no reason to. He stutters and looks uncomfortable almost constantly. I usually feel like I can answer questions better than him, though on the spot to the press might be a different story. But that's his JOB.

Am I alone in thinking he's horrible?

[Dappleganger]

1. He was clearly not ready for DC.

[RandomThoughts]

2. What context of Job do you use?

There are some that have many views on that concept.


I figure if people are going to use language to lie to entire civilizations, just get rid of the vocabulary till people have no language but a few words.


That should be interesting.



And I am due beer and travel money, and good times.

[RKP5637]

3. No, I've not been too impressed with him either. I think Obama could do

with a better press secretary. I've been concerned/disappointed with the messaging in general from the WH. That said, I do think it's a tough job. You're the butt cover for everything.

[DontTreadOnMe]

4. I have the total opposite opinion

I think Gibbs is very articulate and has the right "image". The problem is not Gibbs, it is the MESSAGE he has to tell to the press.
The Obama Admin, especially his advisers seem unprepared... all the time.

If you DON'T ALREADY KNOW what questions they are about to ask you, then you are NOT PREPARED.

Gibbs is a spokesperson. It's not a hard job. You always keep your cool, and tell the answer that the Admin has told you to tell. You don't give anything extra, just what you are told. That is what the job of a spokesperson is all about. have a question without an answer. "I'll have to ask the President and get back to you." He doesn't talk off the cuff. He is TOLD what to say.


So when Gibbs goes off on the "professional left"... you think that is Gibbs talking? He is in the room with the Obama Advisers, and he is just repeating what they are all saying!


Maybe it's just me, but if they hired me... I think I could come up with a subject EVERY DAY that would basically manipulate the press into forcing them to cover whatever the Press Secretary spewed. The "press" would not be able to keep up. I would have them on their toes twice a day.

Instead, this Admin lets Fox News make the "New Cycle Agenda".

The Obama Administration gets a D- for controlling the news cycle. On the verge of total failure, all the time.

IT IS EASY TO MANIPULATE THE NEWS CYCLE... see Fox News. They do it every day. You have to counter what Fox is doing -- all day long!

[USArmyParatrooper]

16. I disagree with your assessment of the job

For starters

"It's not a hard job"

I totally disagree. They have to do a lot more than repeat answers to predicted questions. They act as the President's lawyer in the court of public opinion. Sure, like any trial they have to strategize and figure out with the DA is going to throw at them. But they still have to be able to think on their feet and deliver their arguments in a compelling way to convince the jury.

Being any President's press secretary is an extremely tough job.

[defendandprotect]

5. Gibbs . . . and a long list of others Obama picked . . .

Beginning with DLC-Rahm Emmanuel --

Someone else at DU posted this on August 12th here --

Ramh .... crowing about preserving "private health care industry" ... business s/b grateful!

is the quote: ”In a Thursday interview, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel argued that rather than recoiling against Obama, business leaders should be grateful for his support on at least a half-dozen counts: his advocacy of greater international trade and education reform open markets despite union skepticism; his rejection of calls from some quarters to nationalize banks during the financial meltdown; the rescue of the automobile industry; the fact that the overhaul of health care preserved the private delivery system; the fact that billions in the stimulus package benefited business with lucrative new contracts, and that financial regulation reform will take away the uncertainty that existed with a broken, pre-crash regulatory apparatus.

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=B2F85DDF-18 ...

and ending with the whole pro-corporate team !!

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. He's not great but Bush had worse

[USArmyParatrooper]

10. I thought Bush had good ones. Well, Tony Snow was meh...

Still better than Gibbs in my opinion. Remember, we're talking about delivery - not whether or not we agreed with the message.

[ObamaIn2012]

11. At least Gibbs won't stab Obama in the back like Scottie McClellan did to Bush

[USArmyParatrooper]

15. I believe that to be true. Like I said I don't dislike him personally.

I just don't think he's up to the job. Obama can certainly do better.

[msanthrope]

7. I dispute both assertions in your title OP. n/t

[USArmyParatrooper]

8. huh?

[msanthrope]

12. 1) You are not. 2) You don't. n/t

[USArmyParatrooper]

14. Oh, PLEASE. I have a years of post history of support for Obama backing me.

What do you got to back your accusation? Nothing.

[babylonsister]

9. I like him. He's human. Can you remember anyone who was

ready all the time, even when circumstances weren't so dire?

[USArmyParatrooper]

13. Ready all the time, no.

But at least be able to handle the occasional curve ball, or for crying out loud swing with confidence at the fast balls.

[Orsino]

17. Uh, worse than Fleischer AND Perino?

Come on.

[lamp_shade]

18. You can't be serious. 99.9% of the time his answers are well thought out and brilliantly worded.

So he stutters alot. So what?