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Posted Thursday, June 18, 2009 3:37 PM

Gibbs: We're On the Same Page, I Swear!

Holly Bailey

Remember that internal discord over how President Obama is handling Iran? Forget it! Everything is swell! On the record, at least. Here's White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs at the briefing this afternoon:

QUESTION: Robert, on Iran, is there an internal debate in the White House now between those who clearly support what the president is doing in terms of the hands-off approach and those who think that the president needs to have some stronger language? Is that ongoing in the White House?

GIBBS: There's no debate in the White House.

QUESTION: Is there division at all? Is everyone on the same page on this or are there those who think that the president -- internally -- that the president...

GIBBS: Everybody's on the same page. There's no difference of opinion.

And later:

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QUESTION: You said there's no difference of opinion. But we've been led to believe this president seeks out different opinions from his advisers. You've got these incredibly knowledgeable people sitting around the room. He can't find a single person who does anything other than nod "yes," Mr. President, "you're absolutely right on this"? How can there not be some difference of opinion on this?

GIBBS: Well, there is a belief by all here that -- that this is a debate, as I've said, I think, everyday for the last five days -- four days, plus my statement, that the American people and this government are not going to pick the next leader of Iran. That's something that the Iranians have to do. We have to ensure that we express our views. As I've said about ensuring that people can demonstrate; have their causes and concerns heard, and that's what people here believe.

QUESTION: Is there nobody who believes you ought be a little more open in supporting the demonstrators? Nobody's expressed that opinion to him?

GIBBS: Everybody's on the same page.

QUESTION: Just absolutely verbatim? Nobody...

GIBBS: We walk around like robots.

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Member Comments

Posted By: sieg6529 (June 25, 2009 at 9:37 AM)

I agree with Gibbs, but he is a terrible press secretary.  He needs some Toastmasters or something, because his oratory skills are as bad as Obama's are good.


Posted By: abuseoffreedom (June 23, 2009 at 6:24 PM)

Obviously Gibbs is trying to be level in his response to the questions, but he contradicts himself to the point where he has to admit everyone is a robot, even if it isn't true.  He would rather have the media run with that then be forced to state who the dissenters are and what they think.  It is unfortunate that he felt compelled to say everyone agrees.

For MJ below, I hope we do march against both political parties.  I'm so tired of the infighting, I'd love nothing more than to give them both a timeout, until such a time that the American people are their primary concern.  I think we could all be tired of our government having hearings on a Presidential Affair, the MLB, the NFL, and Republican/Democratic miscues...when will they get to our issues?


Posted By: MJ000777 (June 19, 2009 at 8:13 PM)

He can't stand up for demonstrators because when Tea Party II occurs here in the USA, what can he say then?  We will be marching against both political parties, spending, taxes, ACORN and illegal immigration, etc.

B.O's response to the Iran election was very weak and predictable because he is a pacifist, although the fly might disagree.  R.I.P.