Goodbye Gibbs

Gibbs who? That’s the likely response you’d get from the average American about the news that White House press secretary Robert Gibbs is headed for the exits. Though the media is covering the long expected move as if Zeus himself is descending from Mount Olympus, the indifference beyond DC isn’t surprising. America’s eye is on the bigger picture. Nevertheless, Gibbs’ departure is good news. His communications prowess on the campaign trail never translated well in governance. When clarity was needed, Gibbs too often muddled the White House message. When toughness or boldness was called for, he too often crouched and played defense. A White House Maginot Line was the net effect. And the blitzkrieging Republican army simply drove around it. It’s one reason the GOP won the messaging battle on healthcare. Mysteriously, Gibbs never learned the sad adage that in politics perception is reality. I hope the next press secretary understands that today's political/media game is like nuclear war. There are no winners, only survivors.