A tense, somewhat uncomfortable exchange transpired during the White House briefing on Thursday as spokesman Robert Gibbs, at first joking, seemed to grow increasingly irritated with ABC News' Jake Tapper.
The episode started with Tapper asking whether, "in the name of transparency," the White House would make public copies of disclosure and waiver forms that allowed cabinet members with lobbying ties to serve in the administration.
GIBBS: "I'll check. I don't know how those forms are distributed."
TAPPER: "Given the president's rhetoric I'm sure it's something he would want to do."
GIBBS: "Knowing of your crystal clarity on his opinion, I'll check.TAPPER: "Does he believe in transparency?"
GIBBS: "Did you have another more pertinent question?"
TAPPER: "I think that's fairly pertinent here, cabinet nominees and whether they pay taxes or have speaking fees with all sorts of industries that are supposed to regulate. I think that's fairly pertinent. You don't?"
GIBBS: "Obviously I do...."
TAPPER: "The majority of the American people apparently support blocking or making major changes to the stimulus, according to a Gallup poll. Are you worried at all that you lost the process on how the bills are received?"
GIBBS (interrupting the question): "No I don't... Chuck."
As in, next question, Chuck Todd.
Watch the exchange: