(Vanity) Did "D.C. Bob" (O mouthpiece Robert Gibbs) Just Dis Rush Limbaugh and Michael Steele?

White House Daily Presser

[pillut48]

I was watching the presser and of course by the time a reporter asked a question about Rush LImbaugh and Michael Steele, both of my twins woke from their naps screaming so I missed D.C. Bob's response...I thought I heard him say that the head of the RNC had apologized to the head of the Republican party right before D.C. Bob literally RAN from the room full of journalists?? That's the new WH buzz now, attack Rush as the 'head of the Republican party'? Anyone who has ever actually listened to Rush knows better--but flyover America might be misled!

[anniegetyourgun]

Didn’t see it, but it is interesting that the administration seems to want to keep this story alive....

[pillut48]

I caught it on C-span, but I don’t know if they do transcripts—the man literally took off running after making that statement! And several times he commented to questions asked of him, “I’m going to get in trouble if I answer that...”

Where’s all that TRANSPARENCY HolyO promised us?!?

[McGruff]

LOL D.C. Bob is pretty good but Washington Bob would be more like the original. "There are no socialist in Washington. Not a single one!"

[NC28203]

Do you mean like jindal did?

Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La.) said Monday night that he was pleased to see Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele apologize to radio host Rush Limbaugh, whom he called a “leader for many conservatives.”

[pillut48]

There are transcripts at whitehouse.gov--here's some comments about this from yesterday's (3-2-09) briefing:

"Q You say you don't want to quarrel with Warren Buffett. What about Rush Limbaugh? Over the weekend he had some interesting comments -- (laughter.)

MR. GIBBS: I think he probably knows a lot less about the economy than maybe Warren does. (Laughter.)

Q The President has spoken a lot about bringing the country together, and after the stimulus fight there was a lot of hand-wringing in both parties about bipartisanship. What is the White House's reaction to Rush Limbaugh saying again that he wants the President to fail, specifically on his economic plans? And how does that bode for bipartisanship in the future, working with Republicans?

MR. GIBBS: Well, I think the question is a good one. I think that -- I think maybe the best question, though, is for you to ask individual Republicans whether they agree with what Rush Limbaugh said this weekend. Do they want to see the President's economic agenda fail? You know, I bet there are a number of guests on television throughout the day and maybe into tomorrow who could let America know whether they agree with what Rush Limbaugh said this weekend.

You know, I mean, I think he -- I mean, I think it would be charitable to say he doubled down on what he said in January in wishing and hoping for economic failure in this country. I can only imagine what might have been said a few years ago if somebody might have said that on the other side relating to what was going on in this country or our endeavors overseas. You know, I'd like to think, and I think most people would like to think, that we can put aside our differences and get things done for the American people.

I will say, in watching a few cable clips of Mr. Limbaugh's speech, his notion of presidential failure seemed to be quite popular in the room in which he spoke."

(Later)

Q Two things. One, why elevate Limbaugh? Is this a political tactic?

MR. GIBBS: You know, I think he elevated himself. He's got, I understand, a fairly popular radio show.

Q Well, just ignore him.

MR. GIBBS: No -- well, you could, but I think people would ask. Look, I don't think it's a crazy question to ask about the commenting on whether or not somebody that seems to be, maybe for lack of a better word, a national spokesperson for conservative views and many in the Republican Party, what do I think about, or what does this White House think about him, on at least two separate occasions in front of large and applauding audiences seeking the failure of the President's economic agenda.

Q So we shouldn't view this as a political tactic coming from the White House, looking to pick and choose their enemies?

MR. GIBBS: You know, I control many things. The speaking schedule of Rush Limbaugh, I think he and I would agree, I have very little control over.

(Later)

"Q Robert, two things. One, going back to Rush Limbaugh -- last week, in the President's fifth week, he referenced the fact that, you know, I may not have the bipartisan support that I'm having right now. Understanding that, was the White House seeing the bipartisan wall cracking a bit? And now is there concern that with this Rush Limbaugh, I guess, national rally, as he considered it, from CPAC this weekend, is there a fear that the bipartisanship is going to move out a little bit quicker than you thought originally?

MR. GIBBS: No, I don't -- you know, I don't think that's the case, because as I've argued from up here, there tends to be a viewpoint of only -- a viewpoint in this town of only people that live in this town. I think you saw during the stimulus debate any number of Republican governors that supported a Recovery and Reinvestment Plan because they understood the problems that were happening in their economies and in their states that needed immediate attention. You've seen mayors come through this building that had the very same concerns.

Look, again, I would -- if people want to ask Republicans whether they agree with Rush Limbaugh or with others about whether they hope or think that -- whether they hope that the President's economic agenda will fail, that's an excellent question for Republicans to be asked."

I'll be curious to see if they actually post D.C. Bob's final comments from today in tomorrow's transcript!

[pillut48]

No, Jindal referes to Rush as leading CONSERVATIVES, not LEADER of the Republican Party. IMO, D.C. Bob’s comment was a slap in the face of Michael Steele AND Rush Limbaugh!

[pillut48]

Washington Bob doesn’t flow trippingly off the tongue like D.C. Bob to me. ;-)

[joygrace]

Gibbs, like Obama, is a liar. I noticed he didn’t answer most questions. I wish the White House Press Corp would push back when he lies about items like earmarks. Blantant lies.

Did anyone else hear Gibbs use the word “stuff?” Low class. Are foreign leaders laughing at this “show?”

Terrible and inexperienced speaking and communication skills. He comes across like he is joking half the time to try to distract his audience from his lack of knowledge and inability to tell the truth.

It is embarassing!! Obama looks like more of a fool if he thinks this Press Secretary is adequate enough to represent.

Obama is really showing his insecurity here with putting Gibbs out in front. What a complete joke!!

Gibbs and Obama continue to disrespect the White House Press Corp. When will the Press get a backbone? Oh I forgot, they are Obama’s key ideological campaign tool.

[rlferny]

Flyover America are the only people that understand Rush. It’s the Liberal Coasts that don’t get it.

[ElayneJ]

IMO, obama wants to continue to demonize Rush as a stepping stone toward the Fairness Doctrine implementation. Rush is dangerous, you know, and he speaks for the crazy conservatives - so he needs to be taken from the air.

[andy58-in-nh]

Beltway Bob: it fits.

[surfer]

freakin perfect!!!

[pillut48]

“Beltway Bob”!!! PERFECT!!! :-)
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