Video: WH spokesman explains difference between economy being “strong” and “sound”
posted at 8:00 pm on March 16, 2009 by Allahpundit
Via the Standard. Originally I had the headline referring to “WH spokestool,” but that’s unfair: It’s not Gibbs who adopted McCain’s infamous language about the economy, it’s our supposed rhetorical genius president’s top economic advisor. What you’re about to see here is, I believe, a demonstration of Alinsky Rule #13: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, then try to bore it into passive submission by ducking the uncomfortable question it asked you with a meandering two-minute answer. Didn’t work this time but hope springs eternal.
Blowback
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Well, I never did get a chance to write “Rules for Radicals for Dummies” version…
Alinsky on March 16, 2009 at 8:02 PM
As Americas economy is the biggest ,it’s strong, but sound it isn’t at the moment.
the_nile on March 16, 2009 at 8:03 PM
Depends on what the meaning of “is” is.
Isn’t it great that we have all these “brilliant” Ivy-league-educated legal minds back in charge of our government?
Nuance.
AZCoyote on March 16, 2009 at 8:04 PM
At 1:24 in: “..put money back into the pockets of those who most deserve it.”
WTH?
carbon_footprint on March 16, 2009 at 8:04 PM
I’m thinkin’ Monty Python where each time the one guy goes to say something the other guy hits him in the face with a dead fish. Whap, whap, whap, whap.
Skandia Recluse on March 16, 2009 at 8:05 PM
“Those who deserve it” are not necesarily those who earned it, one assumes?
Wethal on March 16, 2009 at 8:06 PM
Blah blah blah blah blah….
Yes, more government cheese for all!
HornetSting on March 16, 2009 at 8:06 PM
This is hilarious. They can’t let go of the crisis mentality but yet Warren Buffett’s griping is hurting. We’re still all gonna die die DIE!!!! but yet we’re in pretty sound shape.
ddrintn on March 16, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Time to rename the white house “assclown central”
gsherin on March 16, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Well,whats old is new again!
The ‘is is’ definition!
canopfor on March 16, 2009 at 8:07 PM
I feel sorry for the guy. He’s burdened with the impossible task of defending the Obama administration.
FloatingRock on March 16, 2009 at 8:07 PM
that’s longhand for democrats and the poor….in that order.
sven10077 on March 16, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Remember………….
……….. he speaks for the President of the United States, the White House, and his Entire Administration to the world.
Let that sink in for a little bit………
Seven Percent Solution on March 16, 2009 at 8:08 PM
He really hopes we believe the
hypechange.christene on March 16, 2009 at 8:10 PM
What news agency does that reporter work for?
toliver on March 16, 2009 at 8:10 PM
I don’t want you to waste 3:34 of your life watching this, so please let me give you the short version:
I’m Robert Gibbs and my boss is an idiot
mctowler on March 16, 2009 at 8:10 PM
They need Mike McCurry. Best b.s.er ever.
ddrintn on March 16, 2009 at 8:10 PM
Riddle me this, Peetah…who is more deserving of my money than me?
Kid from Brooklyn on March 16, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Of course not. The ones who “most deserve it” are those who are at least 2 months behind in their mortgage payments, or who have mismanaged their companies into insolvency, or who signed up significant numbers of illegal alien voters for Obama.
AZCoyote on March 16, 2009 at 8:11 PM
More like explaining the difference between “song” and “dance.”
bluelightbrigade on March 16, 2009 at 8:11 PM
I did not catch that, but I did catch the slipping in of We won. A particular party won, I believe is how it was phrased.
kahall on March 16, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Heh. It wouldn’t matter, anyway. Gibbs is illiterate.
progressoverpeace on March 16, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Animal Farm
Star20 on March 16, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Good lord! Gibbs is a blathering fool.
rplat on March 16, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Hey! Mark Levin is talking about Patterico and reading his post on John Stewart.
Blake on March 16, 2009 at 8:12 PM
WTF?
Typical Liberal,won’t directly answer said question,he
goes into a diatribe of a kabuki dance and is off into
space somewhere!!!
canopfor on March 16, 2009 at 8:13 PM
wot.a.fookin.tewl.
Mike D. on March 16, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Now he’s talking about HotAir — referring to the video. Now reading Jim Treacher’s comment.
Blake on March 16, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Alright, alright. I’ll tune in. ;-)
kahall on March 16, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Gibbs is such a witless lard ass.
TexasJew on March 16, 2009 at 8:16 PM
you gotta laugh don’t you?
1. Who is dumb and who is dumber. Gibbs or Obama?
2. The reporter actually asked a REAL QUESTION. And FOLLOWED UP. the times, they really are a changin.
notagool on March 16, 2009 at 8:20 PM
If a building is structurally sound it entails pretty much the same as it being structurally strong. Semantics. These guys are over their heads.
carbon_footprint on March 16, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Mark Levin is awesome. I’d love to see him debate this sadsack….or Jon Stewart!
strosfan on March 16, 2009 at 8:20 PM
And Levin said HotAir was a great web site; one of his favorites.
FloatingRock on March 16, 2009 at 8:20 PM
They should lock this tool in a room with McClellan for a day or two and see what ends up where.
BigWyo on March 16, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Bring in the clowns.
Never mind, they’re already there.
Daggett on March 16, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Levin needs to cool it on Glenn Beck.
Glenn is more articulate about getting out the conservative values. Levin just goes ballistic and calls people dopes, which most are.
HornetSting on March 16, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Are you kidding me???
This is why the Republicans really need a conservative form of Jon Stewart. This stuff is perfect material to show that the Emperor has no clothes. Maybe South Park will do something on this.
RedSoxNation on March 16, 2009 at 8:22 PM
They’d have to move to Massachusetts. They don’t allow that in DC, yet.
HornetSting on March 16, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Right On Jim Treacher!
GunRunner on March 16, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Hypercosmic Nuance
blatantblue on March 16, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Two words The O will never say. “Freedom, Growth”
GunRunner on March 16, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Barney can Ref…
*snicker*
BigWyo on March 16, 2009 at 8:25 PM
In his basement. Eww.
HornetSting on March 16, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Notice following the statement, “put money back in the pockets of those who deserve it rather than continuing tax cuts for those who have done pretty well over the last eight years.”
This is a profound admission of how they think. They honestly believe that Pres. Bush and the Republican Congress took money from the poor and gave it to the rich. They have no clue that anyone who pays income taxes received a cut. They have no clue that rich people are not rich because the government gave them money through tax cuts.
Sigh. They truly have no clue and they are misinforming the public and creating a class war that only hurts the people who need to work, which is most of us.
Jvette on March 16, 2009 at 8:27 PM
This isn’t even spin. It’s an insult to our intelligence.
DarkKnight3565 on March 16, 2009 at 8:28 PM
All aboard,Obama’s Crazy Train!
canopfor on March 16, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Exactly. That statement says more than any about this administration than anything I’ve heard. Outrageous.
carbon_footprint on March 16, 2009 at 8:31 PM
We won. next question?
Phoenician on March 16, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Save your sympathy. Gibbs is a TOAD, a disgusting, spineless, smug little buttboy for The One, who deserves every scrap of scorn thrown on top of his balding head.
The ghost of Tony Snow weeps.
Lurking Vet on March 16, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Since the spokesman brought up definitions … a quick check at dictionary.com for sound as an adjective:
1. free from injury, damage, defect, disease, etc.; in good condition; healthy; robust: a sound heart; a sound mind.
2. financially strong, secure, or reliable: a sound business; sound investments.
cyrano on March 16, 2009 at 8:33 PM
In context, it was as opposed to those who received tax cuts in the last 8 years.
It’s not a “Tax the rich to pay the poor” scheme. It’s a “Tax the rich in order to reward those who most deserve the money — democrats and those who vote for democrats, rich and poor alike” scheme.
Daggett on March 16, 2009 at 8:36 PM
FWIW
Amadeus on March 16, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Pedantic semantics.
Crux Australis on March 16, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Hey Gibbs! Anyone compared you to Baghdad Bob yet?
GarandFan on March 16, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Pay attention to what Gibbs is calling the “fundamental pillars” to turn this economy around. These supposed “fundamental pillars” concern themselves with nationalized health care, more federal intrusiveness in education, and (at the moment I forget what the third one is). Green energy for independence? Cap and trade?
None of these items on Obama’s agenda created the financial problem, and NONE of them will strengthen our economy. They will only grow the federal government and indebt the taxpayers.
The middle class will take it in the neck if these Obama agenda items are implemented. The very wealthy will be able to absorb the sticker shock (but be punished for their success)m and the poor/working poor will be subsidized via tax credits (another way of saying “welfare”).
This three-card monte of the Obama administration needs to be exposed and ridiculed repeatedly.
onlineanalyst on March 16, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Except in the movie version he was better at this…
gekkobear on March 16, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Did Olbermoron run a 10 minute long insult-a-thon when the Obamessiah said this like when McCain did? Somehow I doubt it.
Earth to libtards: Sound and strong are synonyms.
Speedwagon82 on March 16, 2009 at 8:49 PM
What did the reporter say at the very end? I can’t make it out.
PrincipledPilgrim on March 16, 2009 at 8:52 PM
“You think that phrase does not make the people now sound as out of touch as John McCain may have sounded with a slightly different—with a different word.”
FloatingRock on March 16, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Hahahahaha, you said “stool.”
cackcon on March 16, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Sheesh, I think it’s long since time to get Mr. Gibbs a prompter.
Kjeil on March 16, 2009 at 9:04 PM
I vote for “WH Talking Spokestoolhead”
econavenger on March 16, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Waiting for the day when someone will have the stones to hang this next to the spokes-fool, his majesty, Robert Gibbs. The Worst White House Speaker Evah.
Key West Reader on March 16, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Wow, that was painful. Gibbs makes McClellan look good as a spokesman.
echosyst on March 16, 2009 at 9:16 PM
The fact that he can say “those who most deserve it”, meaning those who do not pay taxes and not get asked about it, a follow up, should be stunning.
Should be but is just expected.
AndrewsDad on March 16, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Lying and Liar.
marklmail on March 16, 2009 at 9:18 PM
In a fair world, this would be featured video on every news website, and on every evening news broadcast in the country, as well as lead joke material on all late night shows.
Something tells me that AT BEST, The Daily Show might give it a brief mocking, and that’s about it.
RightWinged on March 16, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Somebody give that guy a teleprompter!
mike_NC9 on March 16, 2009 at 9:21 PM
This Gibbs is SO BAD I am starting to suspect that he is a loyal opposition plant intended to sabotage the zero administration.
DrStock on March 16, 2009 at 9:21 PM
If I were a reporter, I would ask Gibbs this about the proposed Nationalization of Health Care.
“Mr. Gibbs: Given the fact that the privatized US Healthcare system has ‘failed’ due to runaway costs, in your opinion, and given the fact that the “only” answer is socialized medicine, what will the US Government do when they are hit with medical malpractice suits? Will they waive their rights of sovereign immunity and its associated caps on damages?
Or, would the Government fully exercise its rights to cap damages under the rules of sovereign immunity? This would, in FACT, control costs, reduce premiums and enable more affordable health care to all American citizens.
{{{Gibbs Spin}}} Ultimately, the Gov’t would exercise its sovereign immunity cap.
FOR THE THINKERS ON THIS BOARD:
The States have long fought for caps on damages in negligence suits as they relate to medical misfeasance and in some cases, malpractice. We have lost this argument time and time and again to the Plaintiff’s Bar. This is why premiums are so high and coverage is out of reach for so many.
The Nationalization of health care will put millions out of work in the private sector. Not to mention the thought of getting into some bureaucratic web of red tape; the loss of your privacy through the HIPPA Act, the invasion of privacy and exploitation of your intimate relationships with your closest primary care doctors.
Instead of Nationalizing this, why not just enact caps on damages? Those suits that are worthy of billions in jury awards can work to get them. Otherwise, providers should be shielded (just as the government will be through sovereign immunity) to a cap of $250k to $500k. Cases that involved egregious behavior or lack of care can proceed accordingly.
Does this make any sense at all?
There is no need to Nationalize the health care system. Tort reform is the answer.
I bet the Plaintiff’s bar is sweating their stones off over this issue..
Key West Reader on March 16, 2009 at 9:36 PM
longest non answer evah
wildweasel on March 16, 2009 at 9:48 PM
The operation was a success but the patient died.
Gibbs
dragondrop on March 16, 2009 at 9:56 PM
WH Spoke Stool… aka POS Propaganda Meister
RalphyBoy on March 16, 2009 at 10:04 PM
OK I am convinced. Gibbs was dropped on his head as a baby, from the 3rd floor….
Hog Wild on March 16, 2009 at 10:31 PM
We have always been at war with Eastasia.
Dr. ZhivBlago on March 16, 2009 at 10:40 PM
When Gibbs talks about giving the middle class a “fair shake,” he is, of course, referring to a good Chicago shakedown. Loosen the proles from their drachmas.
A follow-up question to Herr Gibbs: Are the fundamentals of the Obama administration sound or strong?
EMD on March 16, 2009 at 10:58 PM
He has nobody but himself to blame. He helped Obama get there.
Jim Treacher on March 16, 2009 at 11:40 PM
Love it at 2:50 when reporter asks for a bit more clarification: “and the fundamentals now are not strong still, they’re, sound?”
See the reaction on the face of the guy sitting behind him.
road2utopia on March 16, 2009 at 11:42 PM
Gelatinous
Imbecile
Babbles
Barackian
Shinola
Jim Treacher on March 16, 2009 at 11:42 PM
Well, except when he is focused on Rush. Or busy buying tacky gifts for PM Brown. Or like when he’s is preparing to go on Jay Leno.
Except when President TelePrompter and aides are focusing their time on efforts to attack the GOP, with an elaborate plan called ‘The Party of No’; as if this is still a campaign.
If he is so focused, why can’t he find someone to help Treasury Geithner?
oh, and if President TelePrompter puts as much effort into fixing the economy as he does in checking for tax cheats, we are screwed…………
TN Mom on March 16, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Can someone please tell me. If McCain had said that the fundamentals of our economy are “sound”, would the Obama campaign agreed.
Not bloody likely!
orthopod2b on March 17, 2009 at 12:00 AM
If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullsh*t.
WC Fields
dragondrop on March 17, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Boy this guy is good.
jukin on March 17, 2009 at 12:05 AM
What White House Press Secretary Gibbs is saying:
McCain was correct! McCain was RIGHT all along! McCain knew what he was talking about!
President TelePrompter is an Idiot. No Experience. Community Organizer. Who steals other’s quotes!
hahahahahahahahahehehehe
TN Mom on March 17, 2009 at 12:14 AM
The guy asks whether we going to give “tax cuts to those who most deserve it [or] tax cuts who have done well over the past 8 years.”
They clearly see these groups as mutually exclusive and that hard workers who achieve success are not “deserving” simply because they have done well. We have horrible, ridiculous, stupid people leading our country.
LASue on March 17, 2009 at 12:44 AM
If Gibbs will give you this much BS on something this small, just think what he will do on something big….?
d1carter on March 17, 2009 at 1:57 AM
De Javu……
It’s no wonder since the same asswipes are involved with this administration.
csdeven on March 17, 2009 at 2:47 AM
I don’t feel sorry for this smarmy sarcastic little prick.
He’s not “burdened”.
He’s getting paid big bucks out of the public purse to laugh in our face.
PaddyJ on March 17, 2009 at 2:51 AM
I swear, watching Gibbs is like watching my 5 year old explain why there’s ice cream on her face when I told her not to eat ice cream.
BacaDog on March 17, 2009 at 7:33 AM
FIFY
BacaDog on March 17, 2009 at 7:34 AM
Is it me, or does every You Tube vid of Gibbs need to end w the Looney Tunes “Th-th-th-th-th-th that’s all folks!”
scottm on March 17, 2009 at 7:54 AM
AP, you were right to refer to Gibbs as a ‘spokestool’, not because of the language, but because of everything else. Did he ever come close to addressing the question?
At least when some notable past holders of this post chose to not answer a question, they disarmed the questioner first; Gibbs just drones on till they drop off…. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
blish on March 17, 2009 at 8:04 AM
The fundamentals are strong -the fundamentals are sound… whatever.
Obama is a light weight and Gibbs is a tool, but a majority of our fellow Americans bought this crap.
myrenovations on March 17, 2009 at 8:38 AM
It gets worse: Napolitano wants to use “man-caused disasters” instead of “terrorism.”
This isn’t being done for clarity…
I wonder: is rape or murder not also a “man-caused disaster?”
Just checcking…
karl9000 on March 17, 2009 at 9:28 AM
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