by Mark Silva
Sometimes, when people work for the president , they have to get out of the way -- particularly when the president has a sense of humor.
"I'm tired of Gibbs screwing this thing up,'' President Barack Obama said yesterday strolling into the press briefing room and taking over the briefing from the routine briefer, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. "You know, there's a job to do -- please, everybody, have a seat. There's a job to do, you got to do it yourself. ''
"See you guys later, have a good weekend,'' Gibbs said.
The occasion was the breaking news of Justice David Souter's retirement from the Supreme Court, which many news organizations already had broken, but the White House still was not able to confirm for the press. Obama took care of that, personally breaking the news of his phone call from the retiring justice.
Suddenly, one of the most momentous events in any presidency, the opportunity to place a personal stamp on the Supreme Court, a stamp that could last for decades, had become a moment of high fun: A sign, perhaps, of the exhiliration the new president feels about the first big opportunity of his Second 100 Days in office.
Or just a measure of the president's sense of humor.
Comments
You're right, Mark. That comment IS a measure of the president's sense of humor.
Posted by: Rodney Daingerfield | May 2, 2009 9:07 AM
You mean BO was joking?
Posted by: Terry | May 2, 2009 9:51 AM
Keep joking, Mr. President, you may wake up, some of these Republicans, from their stupor !! They need something to laugh at, after the drubbing the Democrats, and you, gave them, last November !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, America | May 2, 2009 10:59 AM
Yes, humor can be a very important
part of a person's ability and intelligence. Especially, when you can laugh at yourself.
Obama has it...and he has warmth and
empathy.
Posted by: mzmarlena | May 2, 2009 8:08 PM
Top Ten Reasons For Obama Cabinet
Members To Cross The Road
10.To reach out to the other side.
9.To avoid embarrassing tax evasion questions.
8.Wanted to dispel rumors of leftist bias.
7.So their children won't have to attend D.C. public schools.
6.Perfect photo opportunity.
5.Fear of swine flu.
4.To rebuild it with stimulus money.
3.They like their space.
2.The grass is greener on the other side and its medical marijuana.
1.To avoid being burned by the president's star.
Posted by: James Reyes | May 3, 2009 2:14 AM
"Half jesting, full earnest", as the Irish say.
Before those aides in the WH get any fuller of themselves than they already are (if that were possible) they should remember that interview the Prez gave last year where he said in part "I am a better speech writer than my speech writers; I am a better campaign manager than my campaign manager...." etc.
(He also according to Sen. Reid said he had a "gift".)
It's true.
The really hard question is: how is he at handing out the bailout money and keeping track of it?
All those Wall St. ringers at the Treasury and Federal Reserve should reflect on that.
Posted by: ornery | May 3, 2009 7:10 AM