Robert Gibbs Compares John McCain’s Obstinance To That Of A “Six-Year-Old”

Following the passing of health care reform, an angry GOP has pretty consistently pledged to hinder or impede all other political items on the Obama administration’s agenda. Most notably, Senator John McCain claimed that he will no longer work with Democrats and the White House on any issue. “There will be no cooperation for the rest of the year,” he said after the vote. “They have poisoned the well in what they’ve done and how they’ve done it.” If you happen to think that those words sound like a six-year-old child, then you may have a lot in common with White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

Following is the video exchange from today’s White House press briefing, and features a back and forth between Gibbs and Hearst columnist Helen Thomas, CBS News’ Chip Reid and ABC News Jake Tapper. Video of the two minute exchange is below, a transcript follows the video.

Robert Gibbs: In terms of bipartisanship I would say that, as Karen mentioned this earlier, Senator Corker said there are Republicans that will support financial. reform

Helen Thomas: McCain says he’s going to oppose everything.

Gibbs: I find it curious that not getting your way on one thing means you’ve decided to take your toys and go home. I dont think — doesnt work well for my 6 year-old, I doubt it works well for the US Senate because we have issues that are important for his constituents and all for America. Look, again when it comes to financial reform people are going to have an opportunity to weigh in on behalf of the banks or on behalf of the consumers and I’ll let their vote on that dictate which side of that ledger they feel most comfortable on,

Chip Reid: Are you comparing John McCain to a six year-old?

Gibbs: I’m saying that I think the notion that if you don’t get what you want you’re not going to cooperate on anything else is not a whole lot different than I might you hear from a six year-old.

Jake Tapper: I think the argument is not that its the reconciliation process, its that the republicans have said, Lindsey Graham included as well, they’re saying that spoils the bipartisan atmosphere. It’s not, ‘not getting what you want.’

Gibbs: When reconciliation happened in 2001 with the Bush tax cuts I didn’t get the sense that it spoiled the ability for Congress to continue working together. I don’t see why that would happen now, unless people decided they were going to take their toys and go home.

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