Robert Gibbs Says Goodbye, Obama Calls Him “A Wonderful Press Secretary And A Great Friend”

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by Jon Bershad | 4:34 pm, February 11th, 2011

» 14 comments

During his final White House press briefing today, a slightly choked up Robert Gibbs said he didn’t like talking about himself. If that’s the case, then he chose a perfect day for his exit (“a boring day in the White House” Gibbs joked) to be overshadowed. Still, while there was plenty of important news to talk about, Gibbs got a chance to take his bow and President Obama even made an appearance to celebrate his “great friend.”

Obama marked the occasion by telling a story about his keynote speech at the 2004 DNC Convention in Boston. Apparently, at the time, there was much argument about what tie the then Illinois Senator should wear. At the last minute, they decided to take the tie Gibbs was wearing, a choice he apparently was thrilled with especially after he never got it back…until today. As a parting gift, more than five and a half years later, Obama gave him the tie, framed and with a handwritten note of thanks.

Gibbs was clearly touched (he wasn’t alone), however, he held in those tears with the adept skill of a man who spent two years keeping a tight lid on anything that shouldn’t get out. Here’s how our own Tommy Christopher, who was in the room, put it on Twitter:

Below, watch Obama’s story as well as Gibbs’ farewell speech courtesy of C-Span:

barack obama, Robert Gibbs, Tommy Christopher

Olby Sucks

That last trip to the woodshed must have been a stinger…
Olby Sucks

“a man who spent two years keeping a tight lid on anything that shouldn’t get out.”

“Transparency!”
“Change!”

LOL!
Moderate

“a man who spent two years keeping a tight lid on anything that shouldn’t get out.”

He did not do so well with Wikileaks.
TfT

gipper? He referred to himself as the gipper?

OMG – he really does believe his media scyophants. LOL I know Christianne, Dianne, Katie and the Bower have all referred to him as Reagan like or Reganesque lately but he called himself the gipper today?

Too funny….he is such an arrogant, narcissist.

The Gipper!

LOL, bwahahahahahahahaha
Arch

Moderate said:
“a man who spent two years keeping a tight lid on anything that shouldn’t get out.”

He did not do so well with Wikileaks.

Yes, clearly that was Gibb’s failure.
Sidhekitten

I am reminded of of Lloyd Bentsen’s remarks about Dan Quayle’ “Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy. ”

Replace with….

“Mr Obama, I served with Ronald Reagan, knew Ronald Reagan, Ronald Reagan was a friend of mine, Mr President and you’re no Ronald Reagan”

(For the literal minded, no “I” did not, but if the quote fits…)
OxyCon

You see folks…in the end, Gibbs resignation was really all about Obama, just like everything else.
Mr B

“So, here is an emblematic Democratic “gift:” Giving you back what was always yours and expecting a thank-you for it.” – Ace@ace of spades.

Spot on.
Arkansas Steve

Robert Gibbs,

I nicknamed him “Baghdad Bob” because he sounds llike that crazy press guy for Saddam Hussein who stood in front of a microphone & said the Americans were NOT coming. In other words, DENIED THE OBVIOUS.
Arkansas Steve

OxyCon said:
You see folks…in the end, Gibbs resignation was really all about Obama, just like everything else.

Hey OxyCon,
You seem like a smart person. Can you tell me why I have to look at Keith Olbermann’s ugly face while reading one of your comments? I don’t get it.
Mr B

Obama can say goodbye to the EPA funding too, while he is at it.

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/143639-house-gop-spending-bill-cuts-funding-for-epa-climate-regs
Harry Flashman

As i’ve said many times, you have to hand it to Gobbs. He did his job.

EVERY press secretary’s job is spin and dance to cover the president, and Gibbs did it like Fred Astaire on meth. And this president needed all the help he could get.

Like him or not, Gibbs gets a thunbs up for the job he did.
lazzzlo

“What really surprises me is that Egypt is the bad guy.
They weren’t until now.
They existed just like this until the story changed.”

I really respect the office of the Press Secretary.

That’s a job I would fear. I give all do respect..
lazzzlo

due