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Gibbs enforces cellphone etiquette

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor May 13, 2009 07:02 PM


For everyone who gets annoyed to no end when a cellphone buzzes during a meeting or chirps during a play, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs lived out a fantasy today.

Interrupted and distracted one too many times during his daily briefings, a fed-up Gibbs walked up to a reporter, grabbed the offending phone, and tossed it.

He was answering a series of questions about President Obama's change of mind on releasing photos of detainee abuse when the cell belonging to John Gizzi of Human Events magazine went off.

"Just put in on vibrate, man," Gibbs complained with a tight smile. "We did this before."

"I'm sorry," Gizzi said.

"That's all right. It's all right," Gibbs said, but then reminded Gizzi it was the third time.

Gibbs started to continue his answer, but then the phone rang again.

"Give me the phone. This is enhanced interrogation technique," said Gibbs, who then walked into the hallway and threw the phone.

"He threw your phone," another reporter said.

"Somebody caught it, no worries," Gibbs replied.

Amazingly, a second phone -- this one belonging to Bill Plante of CBS -- went off, infuriating Gibbs anew.

"You, too?" he asked. "You want to do this, too? Here, come on."

Before he could confiscate it, Plante left the room to take the call.

But not before Gibbs got in a shot: "I assume it's your banker, with a suit like that."

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Gibbs needs to take a chill pill......He's only the Prez mouth piece.....He can lie just the same....The News guys know they screwed up..................

Posted by Gilbert Jackson May 13, 09 08:06 PM
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All I have to say is that, one administration seemed to be comprised of dunderheads, the next administration seems to be comprised of Stalinists (I'm waiting for the creation of a new political correctness law enforcement agency). Can't we get a sane administration into office? And although I am neither Democratic nor Republican, I do not look forward to the day of seeing how this administration will react to a terrorist attack on the continental U.S.. Although I don't necessarily agree, I can well understand the prior administrations lashing out at those behind the perpetrators of the 9/11 attack. Today: apologies to those who brought about such an attack would be the likely response. Ye gads!

Posted by Alexander Scheirer May 13, 09 08:46 PM
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Classy. What a charming display of professionalism.

Posted by Beth May 13, 09 08:46 PM
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Bill P. should be banned from WH press conferences and CBS fined for the annoyance.

Posted by DL Dotson May 13, 09 08:50 PM
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Gibbs has spoken for all polite civilized individuals!

Posted by Wassup May 13, 09 08:59 PM
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I really don't see the humor in this. You would think that a group of professional adults would have the sense to turn off their phones in a situation like that or at least put them on vibrate. The kids I teach in my high school class have better sense than that.

Posted by Joetagg May 13, 09 09:22 PM
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Thank you for the correctl and descriptive headline. There is "cellphone etiquette" and someone should enforce it. Well done.

Posted by SP Phil May 13, 09 10:57 PM
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I like his style, actually. If I did this to any of the punk middle school kids I work with, their parents would be up in arms, swearing and making a fuss in the main office. Obama told young black men they need to pull up their pants, he should come out and tell them what to do with their cell phones.

Posted by J.B. May 14, 09 09:41 AM
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I think it's great...be professional man (speaking to the reporters). It's not like they are throwing questions at your local city councilor up in Podunk.
Gibbs represents the highest office of the most powerful nation on the planet. I do not necessarily agree with the Obama administration on everything, but you MUST respect the office, if nothing else.

Posted by jpf3 May 14, 09 10:05 AM
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Gibbs keeps getting more out of control. It was bad enough with his inappropriate comments about Wanda Sykes' wonderful comedy routine. But, this is crazy.

Posted by Tom in NYC May 14, 09 12:28 PM
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In a corporate meeting if you brought along a new flunkie who had their phone go off during a top-level meeting, you would be told in no uncertain terms afterwards, "Make sure you never bring that person in here again."

The first reporter likely was an absentminded jerk if it was his third time doing that. The second reporter was outright rude and should not be readmitted to any further WH briefings. The reporters are at a WH briefing....other reporters would stab them in the back for the opportunity. The second reporter thinks its more important to take a cellphone call? Don't let the door hit ya on the ass on the way out...

Posted by Greg in Canada May 14, 09 07:09 PM
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Plante tried to one up Gibbs and wass outright rude! For any reporter to act this way is totally unprofessional and a black eye on the 'eye" of CBS news, a once proud news organization. You don't sit in the front row of a press conference and have your cell phone on, the have the sheer rudeness to walk out and take the call. Make him sit in the back row and maybe CBS will get it!

Posted by Dr. Dribs May 15, 09 03:11 PM
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