Should Robert Gibbs resign?
Some on the Left want the White House press secretary to step down after he took a swipe at President Obama's liberal critics

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has been in the hot seat since starting a feud with President Obama's liberal critics. Gibbs told The Hill newspaper that people on the "professional Left" were ignoring Obama's accomplishments, and wouldn't be satisfied until "we have Canadian health care and we've eliminated the Pentagon. That's not reality." Echoing criticism of several congressional Democrats, Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) said Gibbs is a "Bozo" and should resign, or be fired. Gibbs said he is staying put. But would Obama and the Democrats be better off if he quit? (Watch Grayson's comments about Robert Gibbs)
Gibbs has to go: "Robert Gibbs should resign immediately," says John Amato at Crooks and Liars. He's insulting the people who "helped Barack Obama get elected" at a time when the party needs them again. "This is Politics 101. You never spit on your base."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Let Gibbs stay, but in a less visible role: Gibbs admits his jab was "inartful," says Scott Wilson in The Washington Post, although the administration really is frustrated "over the gap it sees between its achievements and the credit it's receiving." Still, "the truth hurts," and Gibbs doesn't seem capable of sugarcoating anything any more, so maybe it's time for him to slip into a "less visible" White House job.
"Is it time for Gibbs to move on?"
Liberals will thank Gibbs later: Whether he meant to or not, Robert Gibbs has woken up his party's "sleepy, discontented base," says Tommy Christopher at Mediaite. Democrats have been wasting time with infighting as the midterm elections draw near. Gibbs did Democrats a favor by reminding them "that, while not everything they want is getting done now," their agenda is dead if they let the GOP take over.
"Was Robert Gibbs' 'professional Left' rant an act of political genius?"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Critics’ choice: Restaurants worthy of their buzz
feature A fun bistro, a reservation worth the wait, and a modern twist on Mexican dishes
By The Week US Published
-
Film reviews: Snow White, Death of a Unicorn, and The Alto Knights
Feature A makeover for Disney’s first animated feature, greedy humans earn nature’s wrath, and a feud between crime bosses rattles the mob
By The Week US Published
-
Bombs or talks: What’s next in the US-Iran showdown?
Talking Points US gives Tehran a two-month deadline to deal
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published