Gibbs not ‘Feeling Overly Sorry’ for Hayward
EmailABC News’ Yunji de Nies and Sunlen Miller Report:
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs dismissed Tony Hayward’s complaints that the exiting CEO of BP had been “demonized and vilified” in the wake of the oil spill disaster.
“Life isn't fair,” Hayward told reporters early Tuesday, “Sometimes you step off the pavement and get hit by a bus."
“What's not fair is what's happened on the Gulf. What's not fair is that the actions of some have caused the greatest environmental disaster that our country's ever seen,” Gibbs responded, later adding, “I will say this: I don't think that a lot of people in any country are feeling overly sorry for the former CEO of B.P.”
Gibbs said President Obama discussed the leadership change with BP’s Chairman of the Board in a phone call yesterday. The Press Secretary said who the CEO is, is “immaterial,” what matters to the White House, is that the company as a whole take responsibility for the environmental catastrophe along the Gulf Coast.
“Our concern is not who heads B.P. Mr. Hayward is — is leaving. The key is that B.P. can't leave and should not leave the Gulf,” Gibbs said, “That is our viewpoint. I think that's the viewpoint of everyone that's involved here, that they have obligations and responsibilities as the responsible party in this instance that have to be met regardless of who the CEO is or who the chair of the — of the company is.”
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Gibbs also thinks that our Federal fiscal situation is so dire, that we should raise taxes in the middle of a recession.
so does this mean, that he thinks we DO NOT need any further Federal stimulus spending?
Posted by: scott jeffries | July 27, 2010, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm
Tony Hayward has been thrown under the BP bus, British Petroleum, Gulf Spill the same way his predecessor, John Browne who resigned in 2007.
BP, British Petroleum, a British Corporation, did what it always does. It did what Corporations always do. After a disaster or two, they replace their head guy putting the blame on him. Especially when it was the Company’s policy that caused the disaster in the first place.
For those of you who do not know what John Browne was responsible for according to BP. It was on his watch when the BP Texas City Oil Refinery exploded in 2005, killing 15 American workers, and seriously critically injuring over 100 people. BP also blamed him for the Alaskan Pipe line leak in 2006.
Posted by: Angie | July 27, 2010, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm
Someone should remind Mr Gibbs that what goes around comes around.
Posted by: tillyerkt | July 27, 2010, 9:06 pm 9:06 pm
Mr. Obama is next.
Posted by: young_voter | July 27, 2010, 9:17 pm 9:17 pm
and America is showing its disgust with all the Obama blunders concerning the oil spill, which he BOTCHED miserably, and this racist quagmire he has put this country into.
As questions from the “Views” left wing radicals have been submitted, we are all awaiting for ABC to go into full protection mode for The blundering and failing president
OBAMA VS AMERICA
Posted by: Yep I said that | July 27, 2010, 9:31 pm 9:31 pm
The Press Secretary said who the CEO is, is “immaterial,”
Huuummmmmm . . . . . I wonder if who the President of the USA is, is immaterial.
Posted by: Noz | July 27, 2010, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm
And yet history will record that Mr. Hayward the reasonable one and the congress and the administration were nothing more than demagogues hoping to gain short term political gain from the entire situation… If I needed something managed, I would prefer Mr. Hayward to Mr. Obama and any Senator in the Congress….
Posted by: Quo Warranto? | July 27, 2010, 11:04 pm 11:04 pm
Awwww. Poor li’l Tony. My heart really bleeds for him. Don’t you fret too much tho’ as I’m sure going back to his yacht and getting his life back are MUCH more important than the little people who were inconvienced by this minor spill.
Posted by: burpsky | July 27, 2010, 11:23 pm 11:23 pm
Deep Thoughts by Robert Gibbs
Posted by: Virtus2021 | July 27, 2010, 11:46 pm 11:46 pm
Awwww. Poor li’l Tony…
Posted by: burpsky | Jul 27, 2010 11:23:02 PM
Mr. Hayward doesn’t need your sympathy… he is a winner in life… and you…?
Posted by: Quo Warranto? | July 28, 2010, 12:02 am 12:02 am
Playing the race card, demonizing the private sector or trashing BP – same stuff, different day. This administration is worthless!! All they are good at is the “Blame Mentality.”
Posted by: Manitu | July 28, 2010, 12:14 am 12:14 am
What’s the half life of a press secretary?
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | July 28, 2010, 12:19 am 12:19 am
If anyone is going to miss Tony Hayward it is Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Obama.
Posted by: cindy | July 28, 2010, 7:04 am 7:04 am
Given the way the oil spill has been handled and Hayward’s own gaffes, I honestly feel BP would be better off without him. Let the real clean up begin!
Posted by: Kenya | July 28, 2010, 7:38 am 7:38 am
Gibbs is envious of Kerry and Hayward.. b/c or the size of their yachts.. Gibbs keeps his in the swimming pool..
Posted by: Dontget818 | July 28, 2010, 9:04 am 9:04 am
It’s sad that an article about Howard and Gibbs turn into a bashing against Obama.
“If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”
Posted by: Mrt | July 28, 2010, 2:31 pm 2:31 pm
“demonizing the private sector or trashing BP”
Forgoing safety requirements in pursuit of profit resulting in an economic and environmental disaster means we should celebrate BP and the wonderful free market!
The right wing mentality is quite astounding.
Posted by: Ryan C | July 28, 2010, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
I love to read this article… and the point ” Maximize the revenue that is already on the table.” is awesome…
Posted by: pariuri sportive | July 29, 2010, 1:48 am 1:48 am
Mr. Gibbs could not aspire to be a pimple on Mr. Hayward’s rear end.
Posted by: Quo Warranto? | July 30, 2010, 11:20 pm 11:20 pm