O-Bombing

All of the Daschle and Bailout drama on the hill stood front and center at Obama’s Press Secretary Gibbs‘ press briefing today. The press is starting to smell blood, and the ever-defensive, insufferable, pasty Gibbs faced an increasingly aggressive press corps. All of the rote answers to media questions were there…nothingspeak. This is the Gibbs and Obama way. Gibbs goes out to the sharks, and parrots vague rhetoric from Obama to whatever he’s allowed to respond to.

Which today, as usual, wasn’t much. On Daschle’s withdrawal from nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Gibbs is sticking to a version of “it was Tom’s decision, he didn’t want to detract from Barry’s agenda. Tom fell on his sword. But universal healthcare is marching on, mind you, and here are a bunch of generic cloud phrases about socialized healthcare.” Blessedly, socialized healthcare has at least suffered a sprained ankle because of Daschle. Thanks, Tom.

The press pushed Gibbs on Obama’s vetting process- with tax-prep-impaired Geithner, potential Pork- Performance Overseer Killifer and Daschle’s tax problems, (and the last two withdrawing today)- is something broken? No lucky with this question. Barry has confidence in the “system”… it’s working. This in no way has embarrassed the administration. Damage control? Not necessary. Distraction? No. The agenda goes on. Gibbs also wishes the press would write their questions down, and speak succinctly and clearly. Because it makes him flustered.

Gibbs will not play the “name game” nor will he “Monday-morning quarterback.” Or presume to speak for Daschle, because the press should ask Daschle all of the Daschle questions. And more blather like that. It’s quite entertaining to watch the White House press corps since les scandales have continued.

Obama has NO fingerprints on the Senator Gregg appointment as it relates to his replacement as Senator from N.H., according to Gibbs. Barry is not an idiot, and would never lift a finger to influence the Governor in his choice, nor is O part of any deal. Did y’all miss the Blago show, for goodness sake? HE IS THE ONE, LITTLE PESKS! Chomp on it! And the spending bill process is moving along swimmingly. (Mitch McConnell begs to differ after the presser is over. Confidently. Only 38% of Americans currently support it.)

Ethics, ethics, ethical ethics… Obama has the strongest ethical standards, and has set the bar higher than anyone else in HISTORY. That this sentiment looks fairly laughable right now is not something Gibbs will address. Lots more dodge ball ensued, and it’s crystal-clear he doesn’t like the fourth estate. Hey, he took the job.

It was a bit of an O-bombing. I’d watch Barry’s reaction to all of the drama closely. So far he’s reigned with a velvet hammer, ‘cuz Hopey don’t play drama. But he MAY respond to the current public blowback with an iron fist. A very hip, spin-filled, shrewd, iron fist.

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