Rep. Alan Grayson wants Gibbs fired, calls him 'Bozo the Spokesman'

Rep. Alan Grayson (Fla.) Wednesday became the second congressional Democrat to call for White House press secretary Robert Gibbs's ouster, using a colorful moniker to describe him.

Gibbs raised the ire of liberals Tuesday when he told The Hill that some left-wing critics of the Obama administration "ought to be drug tested."

Grayson, who is known for his boisterous comments, called Gibbs "Bozo the Spokesman."

"I don't think he should resign, I think he should be fired. He's done a miserable job," Grayson said on MSNBC. "People I know refer to him as 'Bozo the Spokesman.' "

On Tuesday, Grayson's colleague on the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), said that Gibbs's resignation would be "fair" considering the "inflammatory" nature of his comments.

The freshman lawmaker's comments show the ongoing tension between liberal bloggers and activists and Gibbs over his remarks. 

Grayson said that Gibbs is not conveying the value of the president's agenda, adding that "he's so far in over his head he'd have to reach up to touch his shoes."

Gibbs did not appear at the daily White House press briefing Tuesday after his remarks were published. The White House said he was ill. Gibbs took questions at the podium Wednesday, and said he has no plans to leave his job.

The press secretary originally said the "professional left" would not be happy unless the U.S. had “Canadian healthcare and we’ve eliminated the Pentagon.”

Grayson said that Gibbs should turn his attention to the high jobless rate and the Republicans.

"I'd like to see Gibbs show some frustration over 15 million unemployed Americans. I'd like to see him show some frustration over 40 million people who can't see a doctor when they need to," he said. "I'd like to see him show some frustration over the Republicans, who have blocked the president's plans and his programs."

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