1. Mediaite
  2. Gossip Cop
  3. Geekosystem
  4. Styleite
  5. SportsGrid
  6. The Mary Sue
  7. The Jane Dough
  8. The Braiser
Advertisement

Robert Gibbs Calls Helen Thomas’ Comments ‘Offensive and Reprehensible’

video
» 20 comments

During this morning’s White House Press Briefing, Robert Gibbs was asked to comment on the controversial remarks recently made by press corps legend Helen Thomas who said, among other things, that the “Jews should go back to Germany.” Mediaite’s own Tommy Christopher asked if President Obama had “any reaction to the controversy over Helen’s remarks?” Gibbs was clearly ready for the question and made clear that her comments did not reflect the opinion of the White House.

Helen Thomas has enjoyed legendary status in the Press Room, in part due to her deserved status as feminist pioneer as well as her notoriety for holding administration’s feet to the fire over issues and policies with which she disagrees. And while her friends in the press briefing room are likely torn over seeing thier friend endure this controversy (of her own making by the way) there is growing sentiment that she might lose her job over her comments.

Full transcript of Gibbs’ comments below.

Well, I have not spoken directly with him on that. I would say this, Tommy, I think that those comments were offensive and reprehensible. I think she should, and has apologized, because obviously those remarks do not reflect certainly the opinion, I assume, most of the people in here and certainly not of the administration.

Tommy Christopher will have an item published later on the current mood in the press room surrounding Thomas’ comments.

Follow us on Twitter.

Sign up for Mediaite's daily newsletter.

Email Twitter Facebook Digg Reddit Stumble Upon Yahoo Buzz LinkedIn Tumblr Delicious
  • AmericanCowboy

    Gee, I wonder if Helen thinks Blacks should go back to Africa? Did anyone ask her?

  • felixw

    Robert Gibbs knows, as press secretary to the President, that Democrats shouldn’t say these things out loud. They just believe them in their hearts.

    And that is why Obama and the Democrats are in such trouble right now. They pretend to be moderates with reasonable views and a “new way of politics,” but as soon as they get into power, people can see that they have hidden their true views during the election campaign. Helen Thomas is no different from the President and his key advisers. She just made the mistake of speaking her mind on camera.

    Obama would never make that mistake….well, unless it was written on his teleprompter.

  • writer

    All the posts from the left defending Thomas, and now Gibbs is piling on. They’re eating their own!

  • RazorsEdge

    Brilliant! Way to go not striking out on the response Gibbs. Tommy, I think you may have scared the crap out of Admiral Allen with your serious approach and look. I think you may have a future in the coast guard.

  • Liberty – Not Redistribution

    I’m not comfortable with the government making such claims. They should just leave this issue up to private companies and individuals.

    I would have been ecstatic if Gibbs, the government mouth piece would have just said:

    “All individuals have the right to their own opinion, and beliefs without fear of governmental condemnation. This administration does not agree with Ms. Thomas, but respect her 1st Amendment rights. We have no further statements on the comments of a private individual.”

  • http://twitter.com/SailRabbits Magister

    While my comment may be sausage-making… way to work together!

    Clearly Tommy’s question about Helen was one of the early headlines from the briefing and because he was the one to ask, I’m glad that Colby and Mediaite were equipped to get on top of it.

  • Big_F-ing_Deal

    Give Tommy Christopher her seat!!!

  • Big_F-ing_Deal

    MSNBC just reported Helen Thomas is retiring

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kam-Fet/572005492 Kam Fet

    @AmericanCowboy
    Blacks didn’t create their own country in America. I don’t understand how you could make that analogy. I’ve been hearing it used alot by people complaining about Helen, but it doesn’t make any seance. The blacks didn’t create a state of theirs in America that his home to all blacks around the world.

    I think black people should find that comparison offensive.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kam-Fet/572005492 Kam Fet

    @Liberty – Not Redistribution

    Agree with ya again.

  • ImNotBlue

    Kam Fet says:
    June 7, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    Technically, the Jews didn’t create Israel either. It was only because after WWII, the countries that could take the displaced Jews didn’t want them. The Jews were happy to have Israel, but without the support of the super powers, they wouldn’t have been able to set up any presence in that land.

  • MichelleF

    Did Obama ask for his cupcakes back from the national treasure?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kam-Fet/572005492 Kam Fet

    @ImNotBlue
    So you agree with me that the comparison is unreasonable?

  • http://www.sodahead.com/user/profile/1153279/texas_democrat_06/ WhoIsTheRealRoyalKing
  • ImNotBlue

    Kam Fet says:
    June 7, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    No… since in your effort to prove them different, you proved them more similar. If Blacks didn’t create their own country in America… and Jews didn’t really create their own country in Israel… that’s a similar point, not a point of difference, as you were attempting to show.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bettye-Virginia-Howell/100000074440166 Bettye Virginia Howell

    And people wonder what iw wrong with this country? People cannot stick to the subject matter!!

    I have to admire Ms. Thomas….she has never been known to be “politically correct”. The “mush” in the mouths of the true americans is why this country is in the mess that its in!!! Stand up for what your believe and believe in what you stand for!!

    The so-called jews are robbing this nation daily and they have succeeded in brainwashing the people of this country! Part of your tax dollars goes toward sending them a big fat check yearly…not to mention the other favors, gratuities and benevolence that is extended to them. Greed rules the zionists, not God!!

    When your sons and daughters die because the so called jews continued to poke and gouge other nations in the middle east, and they get their pompous rears blowed to hell and back…..we’ll see how much you think of them.

    You sure see alot of blacks in the military, but how many jews do you see? Hmmmmmm? Its not the color of the skin…its the color of the heart!!

  • ImNotBlue

    Bettye Virginia Howell says:
    June 7, 2010 at 7:44 pm

    Wait, we get checks? Hell! And for all these year, I’ve been missing out.

    Thanks for the update!

    PS-
    As for the military… I’d like to see some stats to back that up. Do you have any, or is that just one of those things they tell you while passing out the arm bands?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rush-Youngberg/1695695248 Rush Youngberg

    Blacks are for blacks. They only have slavery and racism, but the jews have the holocaust. Native Americans have got genocide, but now have reparations in the form of a nation within a nation. Blacks want reparation, in the guise of redistribution and affirmative action. ” Will you ever have enough Rocko?” “No, I don’t think I ever will” (Key Largo). Mexicans want to reverse the outcome of the Spanish-American war by invading the border states. The country will belong to the minorities by 2025, one way or another.

  • Liberty – Not Redistribution

    “The so-called jews are robbing this nation daily and they have succeeded in brainwashing the people of this country!” – Bettye

    Wow….I’m sure you and Hellen would get along very well.

  • http://thedailybarb.com Burnnotice

    Robert Gibbs…. “Woo, Thank God shes Gone!”

© 2012 Mediaite, LLC | About Us | Advertise | Self-Serve Advertising | Newsletter | Jobs | Privacy | User Agreement | Disclaimer | Power Grid FAQ | Contact | Archives | RSS RSS
Dan Abrams, Founder | Power Grid by Sound Strategies | Hosting by Datagram