Gibbs: Many stories on Fox News aren’t true
posted at 12:15 pm on October 14, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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Tommy Christopher catches Robert Gibbs in continuing the Obama adminstration’s war on Fox News. Coming from a White House that has now botched three of its health-care anecdotal scare stories, this response should have produced laughs in the Briefing Room:
TC: How would you respond to criticism that the White House’s current posture toward Fox News constitutes some kind of bullying, or chilling of speech?
Robert Gibbs: (long pause) We…get questions throughout the day, seven days a week, about policies here at the White House, questions you guys want answered, and our goal is to make sure that you have the facts, that you do your job. That’s what we do for everybody.
TC: Well, specifically, the comments by Anita Dunn about Fox not being a real news network…
Robert Gibbs: I have watched many stories on that network that I have found not to be true. I think everybody in this room has been likely on the other end of a phone conversation with me when I’ve had issues with your stories. I don’t think that’s news.
Tommy’s not sure what to make of that caveat at the end. Is Gibbs accusing all of the media of being enemies of the Obama White House, or is it just confirmation of what Chris Wallace said last month — that this administration is the biggest bunch of crybabies ever? After all, Wallace reported that they don’t call to complain about factual errors in stories, but also tone, and guest selection on their shows, and so on. If Gibbs has done that with all of the major broadcast outlets, then perhaps he can explain why the White House has begun to single out Fox, as Anita Dunn did, if they have the same problems with everyone else.
It almost sounds to me as if they’re already regretting their decision to launch a public war with Fox, perhaps stung by criticism from the Left, such as The Nation, that paints them as crybabies unable to play in the big leagues — or as Nixonian with a new kind of enemies list. Gibbs sounds as though he wants to broaden and therefore lessen the criticism when it was the administration who picked this fight in the first place.
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I understand why the Democrats don’t want Fox anywhere near their hen house. They need 100% message control and mind control to sell their marxist anti-American propaganda and any adversarial media can spoil message by asking the right questions.
What I don’t understand is why any Republican administration would let the disgraced rat-controlled media anywhere near the White House press room. It should be a top priority of the Republicans to use the FCC to shut down these rat propagandists like CBS, NBC, ABC and CNN once and for all and purge PBS of all its Marxists, which is pretty much the entire network. It should be a very open agenda in the Republican Party Platform.
Buddahpundit on October 14, 2009 at 1:01 PM
“Mr. Gibbs, would you care to comment on CNN’s “Tailwind” scandal, where that network falsely accused the US of bombing civilians in Laos with nerve gas? They ended up canning their Gulf War ace reporter Pater Arnett as a result.
And while you’re at it, Mr. Gibbs, would you care to comment on CNN’s CEO Eason Jordan having to resign in disgrace after falsely accusing American troops of murdering Iraqi journalists?”
Baghdad Bob Gibbs: “Uhm, they like us, so are above such trivial nonsense. Next question?”
Del Dolemonte on October 14, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Me neither. Just like they say in the newspaper industry, its pretty stupid to pick a fight with a company that purchases ink by the gallon.
Pretty stupid to pick a fight with a network that has viewers by the million.
RedbonePro on October 14, 2009 at 1:04 PM
This is a WH created distraction enabling them to by-pass questions about Van Jones, Acorn, etc. The WH knows none of the other media outlets are going to ask these questions.
What idiot thought up this strategy?
booter on October 14, 2009 at 1:05 PM
No, that was CNN, who gave Saddam’s atrocities against his own people a pass for 19 years just so they coud keep their precious Baghdad Bureau open.
Or were you thinking of an example by ABC I am unaware of?
Del Dolemonte on October 14, 2009 at 1:05 PM
I believe Major Garrett is out due to swine flu. Don’t know if they sent a subsitute.
Joe Caps on October 14, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Two minutes of “Giggling Gibbs” is too much for me. No wonder these White House correspondents are such maroons–imagine going through a briefing from Ham-face Gibbs every day. Each one of these “jounalists” loses IQ points every day.
labwriter on October 14, 2009 at 1:10 PM
if Major Garrett is out, then why didn’t wendell goler ask the question? isn’t he at the WH?
kelley in virginia on October 14, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Whoever said the pen was mightier than the sword never encountered automatic weapons.
-McArthur
MadDogF on October 14, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Whaaaaa??? Its like a bunch of kids pointing fingers, and when the adults step in a show that they know whats really going on and who really did it the kids start trying to change the circumstance, involve everyone in the incident or bring up past unrelated events.
Are they really that ignorant?
…..Im guessing so.
Koa on October 14, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Gibbs’ replacement will be Nathan Thurm.
reaganaut on October 14, 2009 at 1:14 PM
So why doesn’t Gibbs just point out what isn’t true.
tarpon on October 14, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Perhaps BHO needs to tap this guy… The Iraqi Information Minister.
Claypigeon on October 14, 2009 at 1:23 PM
The White House staff sound like middle schoo girls…no, middle schoo girls act much more mature.
yoda on October 14, 2009 at 1:23 PM
I like your notion in my gut but not beyond. A truly-free press is what makes us unique (we don’t have D Notices like Britain, for example). Besides, the MSM would scream ‘censorship!’ the instant one of their fave people is denied access.
By the same token, I’m waiting for the Dems to say a Republican calling an MSM reporter on his/her ‘facts’ is censorship.
Hell, it seems that taking aim at a news source, to call it a place of lies and that the POTUS won’t talk with them for months, is a form of censorship. Obama is trying to invalidate FNC at every level within his scope of power.
With the Left showing out against that, however, today’s event could be seen in a bright light if Gibbs backpedaled even a little. When your own side calls you a crybaby, you know you messed up.
Liam on October 14, 2009 at 1:29 PM
The Fox opinion programs–Beck, O’Reilly, Hannity, and Greta; but seriously, only Beck and Hannity–should turn the tables on Obama and begin running a feature in which they detail lies from Obama’s administration. They could have a running list. Each show could add to the cumulative list.
Obama’s administration would have a fit.
BuckeyeSam on October 14, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Tommy Christopher is pretty good with seeing things that aren’t there and not seeing things that are.
Jim Treacher on October 14, 2009 at 1:33 PM
My prediction is Palin again.
They have to cycle through their bogeymen.
MassVictim on October 14, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Amen!
Gang-of-One on October 14, 2009 at 1:38 PM
So where’s your lawsuit against FOX you ass?
jbh45 on October 14, 2009 at 1:39 PM
FYI: Rush is plowing Rick Sanchez’s row over the DUI/Hit and Run that Sanchez had in Miami. It was classic!
Dire Straits on October 14, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Hey Gibby, could it be the falsified and edited tapes of ACORN?
rjoco1 on October 14, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Hey, Gibby, some people say you still beat your boyfriend, NTTAWWT.
Knott Buyinit on October 14, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Fox News: The 24 Hour ACORN Channel
…has a good ring to it.
Decider on October 14, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Obama, Gibbs, and all those in the admin, for some reason …think….when they speak….we’re all ears. What they say is all relevant, and we’re eating it up as truth! Must be nice to go thru life stupid, and with blinders on. I don’t think in my life, I’ve seen more inept, irresponsible, and stupid people.
The really scary part is….some voted so they could run our country!!! THUD!!!
capejasmine on October 14, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Like a good demorat he provided many examples of those factual errors.
cjk on October 14, 2009 at 1:55 PM
The more the White House says something is false and untrue, the more apt i am not to believe them.
Fox News is telling lies? Good, i’ll watch them all the more.
What is the old saying, “Get use to disappointments!”
Orion Prime on October 14, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Too bad Major doesn’t get up and ask him if he can name three stories he has found not to be true.
Queen0fCups on October 14, 2009 at 2:20 PM
and oooooh. if Robert Gibbs says one thing about Brit Hume who is my hero, idol & secret crush, i’m marching on Washington.
kelley in virginia on October 14, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Right there with ya, sister!! I love that guy!! Brit Hume, that is! Not Doughboy.
NJ Red on October 14, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Gibbs is felony stupid if he thinks ’spreading things around’ will make the While House look less like a whiner.
GarandFan on October 14, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Gibbs is a babbling mouthpiece for an administration that is incapable of the truth. To deliberately lie to the press corps and not be questioned on the validity of his attack by anyone is extremely unnerving.
volsense on October 14, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Gibbs reminds me of Sta-Puft in Ghost Busters.
NJ Red on October 14, 2009 at 2:27 PM
Yea; Right! We’ll take Gibbs’ word for anything. He’s such a scientist!
Cybergeezer on October 14, 2009 at 2:28 PM
The more valid comment is that stories coming out of that sick, warped White House aren’t true. Truth is an absolutely foreign concept to Obama and his gaggle of fools.
rplat on October 14, 2009 at 2:30 PM
The White House needs a new strategic misrepresentor.
elderberry on October 14, 2009 at 2:31 PM
With FoxNews out to get him, and now “Code Pink” .. and a White House “enemies list”
Pure Nixonian paranoia.
Next thing we will hear is that the diplomatic handling of Honduras is “inoperative”
Any chance that Gibbs worked at Disneyland ?
J_Crater on October 14, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Damn, you owe me a new monitor!!!
rockmom on October 14, 2009 at 2:50 PM
FIFY Giblet.
xblade on October 14, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Got It! Don’t you forget it! – The WH
nolapol on October 14, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Did the “Mouth of Sauron” just stick his foot in his mouth up to his hip?
nelsonknows on October 14, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Gibbs gives useless people a bad name.
kingsjester on October 14, 2009 at 3:17 PM
New name for Robert Gibbs, “THE MOUTH OF SAURON”. For those LOTR fans, you will get my reference.
nelsonknows on October 14, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Glenn Beck is STILL waiting for the White House to call.
Still waiting……and waiting….and waiting…..disprove anything Beck has said…..still waiting……
nelsonknows on October 14, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Crybabies.
Terrye on October 14, 2009 at 3:21 PM
This is the most unprofessional, classless pack of no-nothings that have occupied the White House.
Fix the economy correctly, give our troops the tools to finish the job and win the war, ahs STF already.
Pantywaisted pack of p*ssies!
Change your rags!
HornetSting on October 14, 2009 at 3:40 PM
You must mean the ones which quote Obama. I have found them not to be true either.
Barnestormer on October 14, 2009 at 3:50 PM
LOL
beachgirlusa on October 14, 2009 at 3:55 PM
LMAO
beachgirlusa on October 14, 2009 at 3:55 PM
So…if Fox News is not 100% in the tank for Obama along with the rest of the lapdawg media dregs, the White House toadies whine and attempt to destroy them? Employ the Saul Alinsky tactics….again….
THE MOST ETHICAL ADMINISTRATION IN HISTORY
WE WILL POST EVERY BILL ON THE INTERNET FOR ALL TO READ PRIOR TO APPROVAL
WE NEED TO FIGHT THE GOOD WAR IN AFGHANISTAN< NOT THE "FALSE WAR" IN IRAQ
WE MUSN”T MEDDLE IN IRANS AFFAIRS
Joe Wilson deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for daring to “speak truth to power” and once again:
“HE LIES”.
dthorny on October 14, 2009 at 4:29 PM
I say Divine Axelrod, he would fit in one of Michelle’s strapless numbers, or that goofy one she wore in France:
dthorny on October 14, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Who plays Divine in this crappy Pink Flamingos remake?
jdkchem on October 14, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Damn, you owe me a new monitor!!!
rockmom on October 14, 2009 at 2:50 PM
I say Divine Axelrod, he would fit in one of Michelle’s strapless numbers, or that goofy one she wore in France:
http://ladynav.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/251021de5echelle.jpg
dthorny on October 14, 2009 at 4:34 PM
dthorny on October 14, 2009 at 4:35 PM
“We will, er, ah, transform this country, so that all news outlets are, ah, on message together.
B’cause it is only by acting together that we can overcome the oppression this country has manifested for the last 200 years.”
(Teleprompter approved sound bite-BHO)
“Then we can throw away that negative Constitution and really institute some change around here.”-RE aside.
Stepan on October 14, 2009 at 5:07 PM
The American people?
Nah. That would never happen.
Badger40 on October 14, 2009 at 5:15 PM
LOL – the Devine Ms. O.
DamnCat on October 14, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Is it just me, or is that are lot less junior high giggling and snarking going on these days in the WH press room?
I don’t think Gibbsy is welcome at the cool kids’ table anymore.
Laura in Maryland on October 14, 2009 at 5:29 PM
there not that – I guess I need to go back to junior high
Laura in Maryland on October 14, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Any utterance by this man is immediately suspect. Unlike Fox News, he has ZERO credibility.
If he told me the sky is blue or water is wet, I would still require confirmation and review.
He is an unctuous slimy little worm. That goes for the other marxist Svengali Anita Dunn, David Axelrod, and Rahm Emanuel.
DeathB4Tyranny on October 14, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Simple enough;
Robert Gibbs: I have watched many stories on that network that I have found not to be true.
Prove it. . . .
karra on October 14, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Just wondering from the photos, is Gibbs related o the irritating weasel that did all those Ditech.com commericals a couple of years ago?
MikeA on October 14, 2009 at 5:54 PM
I laughed so freakin’ hard I soiled myself….
CynicalOptimist on October 14, 2009 at 6:18 PM
I cannot bear to listen to this lying windbag but the few times I have I keep seeing the image of Peter Griffin.
Dukehoopsfan on October 14, 2009 at 6:37 PM
So call the hotline red phone in Glen’s studio and set the record straight you f@c&tu#d idiot
macncheez on October 14, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Ok… That is just so unreasonable. Do you expect Mr Gibbs to do all your work for you? Come on… You can find all the factual errors yourself! YOU know they are there! The Whitehouse says so! Besides that, it just smacks of too much common sense point out those “obvious errors” which is frowned upon in the One’s Whitehouse.
NTxOkie on October 14, 2009 at 7:40 PM
I’ve seen false stories on Fox. There’s been many a time they’ve reported something Obama said, or statements released by his administration, and they’ve reported them as fact, rather than challenging them as the lies they usually are.
flyfishingdad on October 14, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Let me be clear
This is COTD
macncheez on October 14, 2009 at 8:04 PM
“Deep-seated hatred”…that’s justification enough to stay away from that circus of a network. Tabloid News.
StoneKrab on October 14, 2009 at 8:19 PM
reminds me of episodes of the Jeffersons and Cosby. They always had stupid white people on there. Well Cosby rarely used white guys. The Jeffersons made them look stupid as a brick.
johnnyU on October 14, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Wormtongue or Barack’s Baghdad Bob?
AnotherOpinion on October 14, 2009 at 8:46 PM
In their defense, the rest of the characters weren’t exactly portrayed as all that bright either.
Ronnie on October 14, 2009 at 9:03 PM
Did he poop his pants there or is that Crissy M behind the podium giving him a “tingle”?
bluestateconservative on October 14, 2009 at 10:04 PM
I can’t stand MSNBC either!
daesleeper on October 14, 2009 at 10:18 PM
The white house declares war on Fox; the Tollyban get a free pass! Team Obama has made more critical statments about Fox than they did about the Iran government slaughtering people (who opposed the election). Obama said (on ABC Sunday news show) he “didn’t know ACORN received all those federal dollars”, yet his staff seems to know everything Fox says on-air. Is Team Obama too busy ‘vetting’ Fox, instead of vetting their own czars??
TN Mom on October 15, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Sounds to me like Obama is declaring Fox News as an “Enemy of the State”. Later on, down the road, they can claim that since Fox News is an enemy they are not covered by the First Amendment protections.
schmuck281 on October 15, 2009 at 2:17 AM
Shall the WH press briefing today be a layout of clear and compelling examples of Fox News stories that were both watched by Mr. Gibbs, then proven to be untrue?
Shall any sycophant in the WH press corps challenge Mr. Gibbs on his assertion?
Today Fox. Tomorrow ABC or CBS.
Jake Tapper are you listening?
ted c on October 15, 2009 at 7:42 AM
Amen. Put up or shut up.
oldleprechaun on October 15, 2009 at 8:10 AM
Refuting one of Gibby’s points rarely takes place, or hasn’t anyone noticed…move along…
lovingmyUSA on October 15, 2009 at 9:57 AM
I wonder…What have you been smoking?? You clown!!
shawno on October 15, 2009 at 12:53 PM
The Precedent’s own Elmer Fudd: “Be vewy, vewy qwiet! I’m hunting Fox! Ahahaha!”
ya2daup on October 15, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Gibbs: Many stories on Fox News aren’t true
Most stories told by Gibbs aren’t true. The rest are misstatements, exaggerations, fables and fabrications.
MaiDee on October 15, 2009 at 6:33 PM
“Do not bandy words in your insolence with the Mouth of Sauron!” he cried, “Surety you crave! Sauron gives none. If you sue for his clemency you must first do his bidding. These are his terms. Take them of leave them!”
nelsonknows on October 15, 2009 at 6:47 PM
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