Henk van de Goor's Bloggers@large

Sorry for posting yet another video, but I could not believe what I was seeing and hearing. I mean; kudos for president Obama; it seems he has gathered a group of competent people around him in the White House. But I guess Press Secretary Gibbs does not fall into this category. In fact, after seeing this clip I was wondering: "how the heck did he get that job?". The subject: yesterday a flight mission and photo op, that looked like Air Force One and fighter jets heading toward the New York City skyline, caused a panic in New York. Some buildings even got evacuated as several officials were afraid of an attack on the city.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg blasted the photo opportunity for being insensitive and showing "poor judgment." In a brief statement after the flight, the New York Police Department acknowledged it was aware the flight was happening, but claimed the Federal Aviation Administration told them not to talk about it.

Now, see how Press secretary Gibbs handles one simple question about this incident: "Do you think the White House owes New York an apology?"



Yes, you heard it right: his first defense: "ask the FAA or Airforce". When reporters tell him: "we did and everyone says contact the White House", he mumbles: "oh well, then I would contact the White House". WTF?! He is the White House. After that it just goes downhill - real quick. "I have seen some news reports, but uh, I don't know. I have no information on this". To add to his stupid appearance he even adds: "I was working on other things". Man, how dumb can you get?

In the mean time officials have apologized for the incident and poor judgement involved. Now some one needs to train Gibbs in dealing with the press. The man obviously can't even fight his way out of a wet paper bag!

See also this videoreport.