Politico has gone to through the effort to analyze the White House press briefing transcripts for the first four months of the Robert Gibb's press briefings to count the occurrences of (laughter) in the transcripts. Gibbs has accumulated an amazing 600 laughs since becoming press secretary, that is more than double his closest predecessor, Tony Snow, with 271. It dwarfs Dana Perrino, with only 59.I voted for Obama as many college students did, but I do worry it is a telling sign of an effort to dumb down politics, focusing more on the personalities and popularity contests than a focus on issues. Is this a sign that Obama's swagger has extended even to his press secretary? Should a press secretary be partly a comedian?
Max Herrle
POS2001
12pm M-F
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4 comments:
From the perspective that you present I can understand your position. Robert Gibbs as the press secretary is the face of the adminstration,yet in the end what I think matters the most is the performance of the presidency. It is clear that cabinet is doing there part in resolving the present-day issues. Whether Robert Gibbs has a cheeriful and capriciious personality is irrevalent. I have seen these press conference and what I also noticed is competence and intelligence. What must also be considered is that the introduction of mass media has drastically changed the landscape of politics. The loss of Nixon in his first presidental election illustrated that piont. People in politics now has to have a charismatic personalities to be effective.
Okino Leiba
POS2001 12 p.m.
May 7, 2009
I believe this is mainly due to Obamas swagger. Its Obama's ability to handle the questions thrown at him with such ease and confinednce that probably puts the other important people in the white house feel better about themselves. Who said you cant have fun while handling important issues? He is bringing a new life into the white house and i like it.
Terrell Jones
POS2001 M-F 12p.m
People have personalities like their own around them. Obama is keeping with the norm. The fact that the press sec. has a sense of humor is no reason to question the ability of the administration. And it has been shown that when matters dont warrent a laugh one is not given. laughter is a good thing, wait till something inapropriate happens.
thomas colbert
pos2001 m-f
12-115
Robert Gibbs is one of the best press secretaries ever to grace the Whitehouse. He knows his job and plays it well. He is President Obama’s attack dog. Whenever President Obama needs to get something across in not such a nice fashion he knows exactly what to say. What’s great about the Obama Whitehouse is the diversity of the administration.
Justin Ford
POS2001
9:00AM M-F
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