Posted by John Romano in News and Analysis on December 4, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. (YBH.ME) – Video of the latest kerfuffle between Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and a reporter is making the rounds today. In the clip below, Gibbs compares reporter April Ryan of American Urban Radio to his son, at which point Ms. Ryan warns Gibbs, “Don’t play with me.”
The press secretary is coming under fire from a press that is increasingly becoming frustrated with Mr. Gibbs’ tone and his almost mocking manner when pressed on issues he doesn’t want to talk about.The row broke out when Ms. Ryan consistently pushed Mr. Gibbs to answer questions about Desiree Rogers and the “Crashergate” scandal. Some in the press are taken aback that three Secret Service members have been placed on leave and the gate crashers themselves are being investigated, while the White House is refusing to let Ms. Rogers testify before Congress.
After Ms. Ryan told Mr. Gibbs not to “play” with her, Gibbs said that there were more serious issues to discuss “like 98,000 men and women in Afghanistan.” Mr. Gibbs has a habit of reminding the press about serious issues after he downplays lines of questioning that he finds laborious.
#1 by Lisa on December 4, 2009 - 9:54 pm
Stop you are doing the job for the those who loves to bash Mr and Mrs Obama, I take it they should have sent your butt a ticket, so you can shut up.
#2 by brr on December 4, 2009 - 10:11 pm
I feel Ms. Ryan was acting aggressively her tone is highly questionable. I think Mr. Gibbs handle her behavior appropriately.
#3 by observer on December 4, 2009 - 10:27 pm
Though Gibbs' response was certainly not the most compassionate, it was the most appropriate. Ryan was working herself into a childish tantrum and thus had to be treated like a child throwing a tantrum. Perhaps next time she will consider a less trivial line of questioning, or at least accept the fact that her concerns are not always the most relevant.
#4 by speener on December 4, 2009 - 10:43 pm
She deserved to be rebuked in this situation. Her line of questioning was inappropriate especially considering her tone. Honestly there are more important things to discuss than who was the "bell of the ball". It's as if someone let Perez Hilton into the White House press corps. I hope her credentials are revoked, and American Urban Radio allowed to replace her.
#5 by Jim Drake on December 5, 2009 - 12:34 am
Yes, she should be sent to reeducation camp for daring to question a vassal of King Obama!
#6 by sandyjo53 on December 5, 2009 - 11:29 pm
Gibbs has to be the most arrogant,incompetent sarcastic press secretary I have ever seen,if he doesn't like the questing he feels he can humiliate.
What a piece of work this guy is,just like the bunch running the country right now.more important matter like the 98000 men and women in afghanistan,if it was that serious I think they would of made a decision quicker then the month it took them to make it.
Even the press is getting tired of this bunch,the next year will be interesting when everyone finaly wakes up to these people..
#7 by Meg on December 6, 2009 - 3:46 am
Gibbs' rebuke was sexist. He would not have made those condescending, patronizing remarks to a man who was pressing him.
#8 by Joe on December 7, 2009 - 1:59 am
If Gibbs can't stand the heat, then he should get out of the kitchen. Just because he doesn't like the line of questioning doesn't mean the questions are not relevant. This is our Government and Gibbs needs to learn to answer questions professionally. His attitude and tone are offensive.