“Go Get Him,” – Obama Prompts Reporters to Dunk his Press Secretary
EmailABC News’ Sunlen Miller reports: White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs got a little pay back from the press this afternoon at the White House.
“Go get him, go get him,” President Obama yelled to press outside the Oval Office as they marched toward the South Lawn to attempt to dunk his press secretary into a dunk tank.
Gibbs, 38, normally clad in a dark suit and tie now had a different suit on — navy blue swim trunks and a long navy blue shirt.
He climbed into the large multi-colored tank and felt the water, testing his impending fate.
“It’s warmer than it was when I checked earlier” he quipped.
Members of the press who stepped up to the plate were given three large yellow balls – and kept back about30 feet to try to hurl a ball at the target to dunk Gibbs.
First up, per White Houses’ choice, FOX News. But alas, after 3 balls FOX Correspondent Mike Emmanuel couldn’t put under Gibbs.
Next up was AP’s Ben Feller who dunked Gibbs on his third try, to the delight of not only the press corp. but the many of Gibbs’ press secretaries who put their hands over their heads in jubilation of seeing their boss get soaked.
Obama’s hometown reporter, Chicago Sun Times’ Lynn Sweet was given the next try.
“Show him how we do it in Chicago,” a White House staffer yelled to Sweet.
But after three tries Sweet couldn’t pull it out.
CBS’s Bill Plante stepped to the plate next, and with one throw dunked Gibbs.
“Sonofab-tch.” Gibbs said as he came up above water and then called an end to the session.
Later this evening at the actual White House Hawaiian luau, Gibbs, along with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel will face perhaps a much more aggressive crowd in the dunk tank – as members of congress will get their chance to send both under water.
-Sunlen Miller
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I am soo glad to see the white house enjoying themselves when millions are suffering. Obama is a disgrace to the White House and country. Former President Bush stopped many activities because of the war this man cant even stop golfing or spending our money on his trips out with his wife. Even have her waste our money to go shopping in Paris. No we wont obama you are one of the worst president this country has ever had and the state of the country shows it.
Posted by: Maria | June 25, 2009, 7:04 pm 7:04 pm
“Former President Bush stopped many activities because of the war this man cant even stop golfing”
“I will never ever stop hunting for the terrorists…..now watch me hit this drive” – George Bush.
Posted by: Ryan C | June 25, 2009, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm
The fact that Gibbs wore a shirt is proof that God is merciful.
Posted by: jordin | June 25, 2009, 7:12 pm 7:12 pm
Good to see Jake is on top of the really important stories.
A luau?? I thought the “era of excess was over”.
Posted by: beedubya | June 25, 2009, 7:13 pm 7:13 pm
Hey hey, that’s our press! Keep on the important stories, guys ‘n gals of the Fourth Estate!
And that’s our government! Glad you’re working so hard, you tireless champions of the people!
We now return you to your regularly scheduled economic depression. Unless you’re Wall Street, where it’s almost bonus time again.
Posted by: v1m | June 25, 2009, 7:21 pm 7:21 pm
“The fact that Gibbs wore a shirt is proof that God is merciful.
Posted by: jordin | Jun 25, 2009 7:12:58 PM”
Now that was funny.
Posted by: Ryan C | June 25, 2009, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm
v1m, Maria, in the immortal words of Sargeant Hulka (“Stripes”): “Lighten up, Francis.”
Posted by: moderate | June 25, 2009, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm
Bush hardly worked. He was on vacation more than any other president in recent memory.
Obama is working his butt off for us. With all the bills, many groundbreaking, that the White House has on its agenda, President Obama still makes time to laugh.
Go Barry!
Posted by: Michael Nunziante | June 25, 2009, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm
I knew I picked the right network blog…ABC was clearly behind the scenes.
Posted by: MarkLeavenworth | June 25, 2009, 7:39 pm 7:39 pm
Too busy to address gay rights. I can see why this would take precedence.
Posted by: paul | June 25, 2009, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
=== President Obama still makes time to laugh.===
He’s laughing alright.
Posted by: Axey | June 25, 2009, 7:43 pm 7:43 pm
===Too busy to address gay rights.===
Don’t feel too bad, he was too busy to meet with representatives of the Cuban democracy activists. In fact, he was too busy to even respond to a request sent two weeks ago asking for the meeting.
Posted by: Axey | June 25, 2009, 7:50 pm 7:50 pm
Maria:”I am soo glad to see the white house enjoying themselves when millions are suffering. ”
This is an annual bipartisan event. And a dunk tank with plastic leis and a bunch of cheap tiki torches in the lawn is hardly eating cake while the country starves.
Posted by: jhw539 | June 25, 2009, 8:16 pm 8:16 pm
” In fact, he was too busy to even respond to a request sent two weeks ago asking for the meeting.”
Yeah sure Axey . … you would know.
Posted by: danita | June 25, 2009, 8:16 pm 8:16 pm
My philosophy of work is you do ABSOLUTELY the best job you can, and you have absolutely as much fun as possible doing it.
People who think we always have to be in the corner wringing our hands and weeping are just way off the mark.
Work hard! Do the best job you can! Have as much fun as possible doing it! I think it’s what this administration is doing – and it’s an excellent approach.
Posted by: danita | June 25, 2009, 8:20 pm 8:20 pm
You know what? I voted for the guy, and I fully approve of nearly everything he has done so far in office. I’ve been unemployed for the last three months. I still won’t begrudge the president a little fun and relaxation. He is working harder for me than any government figure in my lifetime.
Posted by: Kevin | June 25, 2009, 8:21 pm 8:21 pm
===Yeah sure Axey . … you would know.
Posted by: danita | Jun 25, 2009 8:16:53 PM===
Are you saying he wasn’t too busy, just flat out ignored the request?
Posted by: Axey | June 25, 2009, 8:25 pm 8:25 pm
=== bunch of cheap tiki torches in the lawn is hardly eating cake while the country starves.
Posted by: jhw539 | Jun 25, 2009 8:16:04 PM===
A chef being flown in from Hawaii for Hawaiian delicacies. Don’t forget that when talking about cheap stuff.
Posted by: Axey | June 25, 2009, 8:27 pm 8:27 pm
===You know what? I voted for the guy, and I fully approve of nearly everything he has done so far in office. ===
You know what? I didn’t vote for the guy, and I hardly approve of anything he has done so far in office and I am okay with them carrying on the tradition. I think they should have nixed the chef from Hawaii and used a local, but hey, it’s my money, and I like a good party too.
Posted by: Axey | June 25, 2009, 8:29 pm 8:29 pm
Axey . ..
Remember all those plane flights back and forth from Washington to the Bush ranch in Texas?
Boy when the shoe is on the other foot, do anti-Democrats ever get picky.
I won’t forget it was on Bush’s watch the Twin Towers got hit and it was on Bush’s watch the economy crashed and it was on Bush’s watch the national debt got doubled from $5 trillion to $10 trillion.
You think I’m going to crucify President Obama for one plane ticket? Or for following up on his campaign promises regarding health care and energy?
Posted by: danita | June 25, 2009, 8:35 pm 8:35 pm
Axey:”A chef being flown in from Hawaii for Hawaiian delicacies. Don’t forget that when talking about cheap stuff.”
That was a touch of extravegance, but since he is actually from Hawaii and knew the guy I don’t have a problem with it, just like I wouldn’t have a problem if Bush had flown in a BBQ expert with a pallet of steak from Texas during his tenure.
The black tie affairs really have to be considered on the basis of his job as chief diplomat, but a picnic with friends, family and the obligatory handful of co-workers you can barely stand just feels American down to my bones.
Posted by: jhw539 | June 25, 2009, 8:38 pm 8:38 pm
===You think I’m going to crucify President Obama for one plane ticket? ===
No, I don’t think you are going to crucify Obama for anything.
Posted by: Axey | June 25, 2009, 8:41 pm 8:41 pm
obama is digging his own hole and the worm is turning and soon obama will be the 1st lame duck president after 5 months. let him veto the bill i would love to see the congress over ride is foney veto.
Posted by: Jake | June 25, 2009, 8:43 pm 8:43 pm
===Posted by: jhw539 | Jun 25, 2009 8:38:42 PM===
I’ll have to take your word that you wouldn’t have objected to Bush doing the same thing. You are pretty much alone in that regard, though. Bush breathing air was objected to, if memory serves.
Posted by: Axey | June 25, 2009, 8:44 pm 8:44 pm
Axey . ..
You’ve got me on the Bush thing without a doubt.
I think Bush was a dabbler – from a very rich oil family, he did little of any accomplishment and barely passed at college, he avoided real military service during the vietnam war, he was put into positions in oil and baseball by his family and their friends, he was an alcoholic paritially cross-addicted to cocaine and so on. Plus he claimed God talked to him while he was in office.
President Obama on the other hand seems to me like a hard working, focused, intelligent and very practical man looking for realistic solutions during a very difficult time.
Posted by: danita | June 25, 2009, 9:14 pm 9:14 pm
Danita, is there some REASON you feel the need to trash President Bush with your laundry basket of delusions with such regularity? It is as tiresome as the “Obama’s birth certificate” wing nuts who show up with their ridiculous theories.
By the way, one of your constant criticisms of George Bush regards his faith. You sneer that he “claimed God talked to him while he was in office.” You do realize that President Obama also claims to be a man of deep faith, right? So does it bother you to think that he prays regularly as well? Because prayer is conversation with God, according to the Christian faith that both men hold. What is your problem with that? And does it extend to all presidents of faith, including Mr. Obama, or just to the one about who you are unhinged?
Posted by: moderate | June 25, 2009, 9:40 pm 9:40 pm
People losing their homes, losing their jobs, losing their lives. It’s serious business. Mr. Obama is so unprofessional.
Posted by: young_voter | June 25, 2009, 10:08 pm 10:08 pm
And yes, President Obama is a man of faith . . . but unlike Bush he has not claimed God talks to him.
Personally I don’t want anybody in charge who says God talks to them whether they be Islamic, Christian, Jewish or whatever.
Posted by: danita | June 25, 2009, 10:09 pm 10:09 pm
young_voter . …
Remember President Bush joking about looking for the weapons of mass destruction under his desk – while thousands of people had lost their lives over that very thing.
You need a standard for professionalism?
Posted by: danita | June 25, 2009, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm
Danita:
Pay attention. Obama is an ideologue, as much as Bush was. He is just at the opposite extreme.
Posted by: Steve | June 25, 2009, 10:15 pm 10:15 pm
OBAMA:
“Uh, yeah, I guess I do. Its’ not formal, me getting on my knees. I have an ongoing conversation with God.”
Uh, yeah, I guess he has claimed God talks to him. Either that or it is a one-sided conversation.
Posted by: Axey | June 25, 2009, 10:26 pm 10:26 pm
That’s quite a reversal for the White House press corps, seeing as lately they’ve been the ones in the tank!
Posted by: anon | June 25, 2009, 10:29 pm 10:29 pm
Obama: “Those are the conversations I’m having internally. I’m measuring my actions against that inner voice that for me is audible, is active. It tells me where I think I’m on track and where I’m off track”
Posted by: Axey | June 25, 2009, 10:29 pm 10:29 pm
Exactly Axey.
Posted by: danita | June 25, 2009, 10:29 pm 10:29 pm
===Exactly Axey.===
????
Posted by: Axey | June 25, 2009, 10:32 pm 10:32 pm
Kevin 8:21:15
Will you begrudge him a little fun when
you’ve been unemployed for 30 months?
Try Acorn…..they’re hiring like
gangbusters.
Posted by: Trajan | June 25, 2009, 11:01 pm 11:01 pm
I still say that waterboarding is not torture, but the image of Gibbs in the dunk tank really challenges that notion.
Posted by: Jeff | June 25, 2009, 11:29 pm 11:29 pm
Uh, yeah, I guess he has claimed God talks to him. Either that or it is a one-sided conversation. Posted by: Axey | Jun 25, 2009 10:26:46 PM
I’m betting it’s a one-sided conversation. Obama’s faith is so deep, he didn’t hear anything Rev Wright said for 20 years even though he said the Rev was his spiritual mentor. And the ‘deeply religious’ President still hasn’t been able to find a church to join in DC even though there’s one on every other block (sarc). Probably doesn’t want to cause a scene or spend our money going to church every week.
Posted by: Traffic Cop Timmy | June 25, 2009, 11:44 pm 11:44 pm
I won’t forget it was on Bush’s watch the Twin Towers got hit
Posted by: danita | Jun 25, 2009 8:35:47 PM
Should we start listing all the terrorist attacks that occurred on Clinton’s watch that were continually ignored which emboldened our enemies that led up to 9/11? Oh that’s right – they are “man caused disasters,” not terrorist attacks.
Posted by: Traffic Cop Timmy | June 25, 2009, 11:56 pm 11:56 pm
Obama: “Those are the conversations I’m having internally. I’m measuring my actions against that inner voice that for me is audible, is active. It tells me where I think I’m on track and where I’m off track”
Posted by: Axey | Jun 25, 2009 10:29:48 PM
Inner voice? Is he sure it’s God? Could be The Deceiver.
Posted by: Traffic Cop Timmy | June 25, 2009, 11:59 pm 11:59 pm
Since the AP did a piece on the DNC fundraiser, we should, too. After all, AMERICAblog helped get the ball rolling on this issue. Coincidentally, I got a phone call from the DNC today. I looked at my caller ID, which read “DEM NATL COMM” — and, thought, that can’t be microsoft certifications. After the woman started her pitch, I said, stop. I’m not giving to the DNC until the Obama administration shows some real action on
Posted by: microsoft braindumps | June 26, 2009, 1:15 am 1:15 am
Axey:” Bush breathing air was objected to, if memory serves. ”
Your memory is quite faulty. Bush was the most popular president ever seen in modern polls, and even after the 2000 election debacle the Democrats in Congress were cooperative and allowed his signature “Bush Tax Cuts” and tick-off-the-teacher-unions “No Child Left Behind” through. The documented facts are that Bush received far more respect at the start of his administration from the opposition party than Obama has.
Posted by: jhw539 | June 26, 2009, 8:33 am 8:33 am
Nice mouth Gibbs! Wonder if there were children standing about….I guess it’s okay to swear at the WH now that BO is president….it’s so cool and hip….
Iran’s people are being brutalized but we’re partying like teens at a frat party at the WH.
Posted by: KJW | June 26, 2009, 10:04 am 10:04 am
Doesn’t anyone in this administration do any work? We have Iran blowing up, NK is aiming ICBMs at Hawaii, the economy is still in the toilet and they are holding carnivals in the middle of the day, Luaus at night and Obama is running off to town hall campaign rallies and date nights with Michelle or ice cream with the girls. These are the laziest bunch of people I have ever seen.
Posted by: Suzy | June 26, 2009, 10:30 am 10:30 am
Wow Im so glad that all the politicians had a wonderful time at the Hawian party that the tax payers paid for and weren’t invited to. Now I’m sure as soon as they recover from this fun filled relaxing event that it will be back to business as usual…finding more ways to soak us for every dime they can for their agenda. I’m sorry but every single politician in my opinion is looking out for their selves and not the American people, they are ruining this country. Wake up America!
Posted by: Independent | June 26, 2009, 11:00 am 11:00 am
Obama obviously views Gibbs as his loyal lightning rod. By encouraging the press to “go get him (Gibbs),” Obama is keeping the press “in the tank” and transferring any negative feelings away from himself and towards Gibbs. He is basically encouraging the press to kill the messenger and they will obey.
Posted by: WhereWasThePress? | June 26, 2009, 11:21 am 11:21 am
WhereWasThePress? – Or maybe he was just having fun! You read so much in an innocent statement that I have heard many people say in fun situations like this.
Posted by: Try the truth | June 26, 2009, 11:29 am 11:29 am
Independent- You mean this tradition that has been going on for YEARS and the cost is built into the budget? If he hadn’t thrown the party, you would be here whining that he was slapping tradition in the face!
Posted by: Try the truth | June 26, 2009, 11:30 am 11:30 am
jhw, we will have to agree to have different recollections about how Bush’s honeymoon post 2000 election/pre 9/11 actually went. I remember it quite differently than you do.
But one part of your comment did make me giggle. YOu wrote, “the Democrats in Congress were cooperative and allowed….. tick-off-the-teacher-unions “No Child Left Behind” through.” You do remember that NCLB was cosponsored by TED Kennedy, the liberal lion of the Senate, who I am pretty sure is a Democrat, right?
Posted by: moderate | June 26, 2009, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm
I wonder how many times he said “uh-uh” “uhh-uh” while dropping into the tank……how on earth is he qualified to be Press Secretary…..uh–uh—uh—uh…..geeeshhhhhh
Posted by: kmday | June 26, 2009, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
Right where this guy belongs in the tank!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Lion | June 26, 2009, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
Jack I follow you on twitter, but some of the people who comment ON HERE, are so ignorant.
Yeah Presidents have WH parties. Get over it. Bush did shortly after 911 and several times since the wars began. Shut up with the whining and find happiness in YOUR OWN life.
Posted by: Crystal | June 26, 2009, 11:41 pm 11:41 pm
Yeah, everybody laughs while Obama is trying to destroy our country! I don’t see the humor people! I guess laughter is now the new distraction. The press is an absolute disgrace and is far from FREE.
Posted by: RobbieK | June 27, 2009, 12:33 am 12:33 am
This is what our government was doing whil people were being slaughtered in the streets of Iran
Posted by: butterfly | June 27, 2009, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm
Now, I realize that this is a tradition in the past, but so was all the parties in Vegas that the corporations were doing. In times of financial distress (or “Crisis” as obama likes to say), we need to be a little more thrifty with our money, and it is OUR money. But instead of showing responsibility they throw a party for what 300 or 500 people or something like that? Was this the same 500 people that he took on that European tax dollar trip not so long ago? You know, the one where they had to use both Airforce 1s and a 3rd plane?
Like I said, I know this was tradition, but when the wallet is empty, maybe you should hold off on the partying for a bit. Just a thought……
Posted by: Concerned Citizen | June 28, 2009, 9:42 am 9:42 am
And I Though Scott McClellan Was a Total Embarrassment to the Nation.
Six Months of NO “PROBLEM RESOLUTION” But “Crisis Creation” & Teleprompted Distractions.
“Progressive Marxists” – The Problem That Won’t ZGo Away.
Posted by: Newts Wally | June 28, 2009, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm
Here, Press Corps, fetch!! And fetch they did.
Posted by: Mauricio Villablanca | June 28, 2009, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
Is this water boarding???
Posted by: Chris | June 29, 2009, 6:30 am 6:30 am
Best thing that could have happened. About time we cleaned up the administration.
Posted by: jimbeaux | June 29, 2009, 7:30 am 7:30 am