THE HILL
 

Gibbs: Opponents of Obama starting 'Animal House food fight'

By Eric Zimmermann - 09/07/09 01:09 PM ET

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs blasted the president's critics today for questioning the propriety of Obama's speech to schoolchildren.

"It's a sad state of affairs that many in this country politically would rather start an 'Animal House' food fight rather than inspire kids to stay in school, to work hard, to engage parents to stay involved and to ensure that the millions of teachers that are making great sacrifices continue to be the best in the world," Gibbs told reporters on Monday.

Some conservatives have questioned whether it's appropriate for Obama to give a speech to students. The White House would point out that several past presidents — including Republicans — have given similar addresses.

Click here to see an advance copy of Obama's planned remarks.

Source:
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/57511-gibbs-opponents-starting-animal-house-food-fight

Comments (605)

This would never have happened if people did not dislike the president so much. There are many reasons for that, and Glibbs needs to take responsibility for some of that dislike he has helped create, because of his sour attitude, along with the inexperienced, off-timing and condescending reputation those around the president have helped create.Glibbs response to this should be kind and understanding toward the voters, not hostile. Consider them ALL sincere. This constant demeaning attitude shows his own lack of understanding regarding his position and his complete lack of confidence in himself and the president. Every time he insults voters, whatever side they are on, the polls go down. Instead of being nasty he needs to, himself, try to become a likeable person. So does Obama. This is what a person with an honest agenda and good communication skills must do in the face of such opposition.Without an honest agenda, however, these mistakes are often made in communications.BY tropicgirl on 09/07/2009 at 14:26
It's not a matter of "liking" it's a matter of "trusting." I voted for him, regret it. The bottom line, "We - most of the American People" now, do not trust him.BY LindsyS on 09/07/2009 at 14:29
I want to be Bluto then!YAY! FOOD FIIIIIGHT!!!!Wa it. whut? Did the President just compare himself to the rich fraternity? The ones no one likes. Because they act all pretentious and know it all? Oh, and they were total bullies too, beating people up. Is that REALLY the image Gibbs wants to give?Wow, O. Your message machine needs more than a tinker. It's need a complete overhaul.BY Jeff Barea on 09/07/2009 at 14:34
Gibbs is not helping the President by talking down to anyone who disagrees.BY Ron T on 09/07/2009 at 14:35
So now we're not just mobs or unAmerican, we're depraved Animal House actors in this circus show? I don't think so. Getting a little tired of the WH and Dems calling us names to detract from the issues.BY K. Wright on 09/07/2009 at 14:36
Wouldn`t we all love to see the first speech, written before the complaints, and the final version?BY Sandra J. on 09/07/2009 at 14:36
3rd world here we come.BY Mark on 09/07/2009 at 14:37
Maybe it would be more appropriate for Obama to give an inspiring talk to the kids like stay in school, study hard, never give up, and America was built on individual achievement, greatness and liberty rather than a political one aimed at the magnificence of the most benevolent annointed granduer of 'The One' and his need for you to be a compliant part of the greater collective worshiping his partnership with God and paying your taxes or we'll 'Waco" you. All except Charlie Rangel of course!BY Al J on 09/07/2009 at 14:38
Two things come to mind: 1-when George Bush was president the man couldn't walk out of the White House without someone on the left screaming about it. Did these brilliant minds (cough cough) in the Obama administration really think that people were just going to just accept everything he does? 2-Why is it that this White House has to diminish, and demean everyone who doesn't agree with them? They act like they are running for high school class president. Face it: you people have no idea who you voted for.BY Spoc158 on 09/07/2009 at 14:40
This is a White House and ruling Democratic Party that takes pleasure in demeaning and insulting any American that disagrees with them. 2010 will see if this "Let them eat cake" attitude will win the majority of local elections for this aloof ruling class. Incidentally, would it be fair to say that David Axlerod is really the defacto president; the one who really sets public policy in the White House?BY PhilPhat on 09/07/2009 at 14:43

Add Comment

Name (required)

E-Mail (will not be published) (required)

Your Comments

Key Blogs

What they are saying today …
Drudge Report
"Punch will stun West," reads the headline above the fold on Drudge this Tuesday. The line refers to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent, vague promise this week to somehow "punch the arrogance" of the West on February 11. Also above the fold: A slew of weather-related links, including a report from the National Weather Service that predicts more snow for the already buried Capitol.… Read More »
The Huffington Post
"Healthcare theatrics" reads the banner atop The Huffington Post, which links to an AP story on the White House's struggle to bring GOP leaders to the table for a televised healthcare summit. The AP questions whether the event may have any utility outside of immediate personal politics. Below, reporter Sam Stein reports Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) plans to vote against the White House's nominee for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Craig Becker.… Read More »
Red State
Moe Lane this morning summarizes the latest back-and-forth between the White House and congressional GOP leaders over healthcare. The White House wants Republicans to join Democrats for a televised healthcare summit in the coming days, but GOP leaders do not want Democrats' bill to be the basis for those talks. Meanwhile, Brian Darling takes on NYT columnist Paul Krugman's latest piece, in which he rails on the filibuster (and the GOP's use of it). "He is clearly way outside of his area of expertise when talking about Senate procedure, because his analysis is laughable," Darling writes.… Read More »
The Washington Independent
Spencer Ackerman leads The Washington Independent this morning with a post about William Lietzau, a top Obama White House appointee first installed during President George W. Bush's tenure. Lietzau handled the military commissions the Supreme Court later found unconstitutional, and Ackerman reports that he will soon become Deputy Assistant Secretary for Detainee Affairs.Earlier, David Weigel shared Defense Secretary Robert Gates' thoughts on the passing of Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha (D). Noted Gates: "In our dealings over the years, Jack and I did not always agree, but I always respected his candor, and knew that he cared deeply about the men and women of America’s military and intelligence community." … Read More »
AMERICAblog
John Aravosis points out that Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) has dropped most of his unprecedented blanket hold on most of the White House's nominees -- except a few defense posts, which remain tied up as Shelby seeks two lucrative military contracts for his home state. Later, Aravosis reports that the Department of Health and Human Services has opened an investigation into the California Blue Cross health insurance program, following reports that premiums there have increased 39 percent recently.… Read More »
The Corner
News that Iran may have started enriching uranium has prompted The Corner's Mike Potemra to issue the Middle Eastern state a warnining: "It’s not too late for Iran to turn back from such a disastrous course: Even evil regimes — regimes that systematically violate the rights of their own people — have the use of intellect." Also, gues blogger Ralph Reed offers his thoughts on former Gov. Sarah Palin's national political aspirations. Ultimately, he calls her a "bridge" between Tea Party activists and the GOP establishment.… Read More »
Blog Summaries Archive »

Briefing Room Blog Roll

The Hill
ABC News: The Note
AMERICAblog
Barack Obama
Beat The Press
Bill Press
BuzzFlash
Capitol Briefing
Capitol Games
The Caucus (NYT)
Clive Crook
Comments From Left Field
CNN Political Ticker
The Corner (NRO)
Crooks and Liars
The Daily Beast
Daily Caller
Daily Kos
DCCC: The Stakeholder
DNC: Kicking Ass
DSCC: From The Roots
Drudge Report
Eschaton
Extreme Mortman
Ezra Klein
firedoglake
FishbowlDC
The Fix (WashPost)
The Foundry
Gkenn Greenwald
Hendrik Hertzberg
Hillary Clinton
Hot Air
Hotline on Call
Huffington Post
Human Events
Instapundit
James Fallows
John McCain
Judicial Watch: Corruption Chronicles
Kaus Files
Left Coaster
Lefty Blogs
Majority AP
Marc Ambinder
Matt Lewis
Matthew Yglesias
Megan McArdle
Michelle Malkin
Minority Report
The Moderate Voice
MSNBC First Read
MyDD
The Nation
National Review
The New Republic
NewsBusters
Newsmax
The NRCC Blog
NRSC Blog
Open Left
Page (Mark Halperin)
The Plank (TNR)
Political Animal
Political Wire
Politicker
Politico's Ben Smith
Politico's Jonathan Martin
Politico's The Crypt
Power Line
Reason
RedState
Right Wing News
RNC Blog
Ross Douthat
Rush Limbaugh
SCOTUSblog
Senate Guru
The Stump (TNR)
The Swamp (Tribune)
Swampland
Swing State Project
Talk Left
TalkingPointsMemo
TAPPED
Tech Policy Summit
techPresident
TechRepublican
The Right Angle
Think Progress
Top of the Ticket (LA Times)
Townhall
TPMCafe
TPMMuckraker
The Trail (WashPost)
Truthdig
USA Today On Politics
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blog
VF Daily
Washington Wire (WSJ)
Weekly Standard
Wonkette
Yeas and Nays

Briefing Room Blog Topics

 Blog Summaries »   Technology »
 Day's End Round-Up »   Telecom and IT »
 Energy & Environment »   Trade and Agriculture »
 Midday Blog Roundup »  Lobbying »
 Morning Read »   Administration »
 News »   Campaigns »
  Campaigns »   Civil Rights »
   Administration »   Corporate Governance »
   Civil Rights »   Defense »
   Congressional Campaigns »   Economy & Budget »
   Corporate Governance »   Energy & Environment »
   Defense »   Foreign Policy »
   Economy & Budget »   Healthcare »
   Foreign Policy »   Homeland Security »
   Healthcare »   Immigration »
   Homeland Security »   Labor »
   Immigration »   Lobbyists »
   Labor »   Technology »
   Law and Courts »   Telecom and IT »
   Lobbyists »   Trade and Agriculture »
   Presidential Campaigns »  Other »
   Technology »   Administration »
   Telecom and IT »   Campaigns »
   Trade and Agriculture »   Civil Rights »
  Energy & Environment »   Congressional Campaigns »
  Lawmaker News »   Corporate Governance »
   Administration »   Defense »
   Campaigns »   Economy & Budget »
   Civil Rights »   Energy & Environment »
   Corporate Governance »   Foreign Policy »
   Defense »   Healthcare »
   Economy & Budget »   Homeland Security »
   Energy & Environment »   Immigration »
   Foreign Policy »   Labor »
   Healthcare »   Lobbyists »
   Homeland Security »   Presidential Campaigns »
   Immigration »   Technology »
   Labor »   Telecom and IT »
   Lobbyists »   Trade and Agriculture »
   Technology »  Oversight »
   Telecom and IT »   Administration »
   Trade and Agriculture »   Campaigns »
  Legislation »   Civil Rights »
   Administration »   Corporate Governance »
   Campaigns »   Defense »
   Civil Rights »   Economy & Budget »
   Corporate Governance »   Energy & Environment »
   Defense »   Foreign Policy »
   Economy & Budget »   Healthcare »
   Energy & Environment »   Homeland Security »
   Foreign Policy »   Immigration »
   Healthcare »   Labor »
   Homeland Security »   Lobbyists »
   Immigration »   Technology »
   Labor »   Telecom and IT »
   Lobbyists »   Trade and Agriculture »
You need Flash Player 8 (or higher) and JavaScript enabled to view this content

Get latest news from The Hill direct to your inbox, RSS reader and mobile devices.