Robert Gibbs On Newt Gingrich's 'Kenyan' Comments: He's Trying To Appeal To Birthers

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs responded Monday to recent claims by Newt Gingrich that President Obama was defined by a "Kenyan, anti-colonial" worldview, saying that it was just a clear sign that the former Republican House Speaker was working to appeal to the birther "fringe."

"He's trying to appeal to the fringe of people that don't believe the president was born in this country," Gibbs said. "You would normally expect better from somebody who had held the position of Speaker of the House."

During an interview with National Review Online over the weekend, Gingrich attempted to break down Obama's political behavior by pointing to a recent article published in Forbes magazine.

"What if [Obama] is so outside our comprehension, that only if you understand Kenyan, anti-colonial behavior, can you begin to piece together [his actions]?" Gingrich asked. "That is the most accurate, predictive model for his behavior."

Gingrich made mention of Robert Gibbs's contention Monday, writing in a tweet:

Thrilled that WH (@PressSec) decided to highlight Dinesh D'Souza's excellent article in @Forbes this AM on @GMA http://tinyurl.com/389ay2d

He later tweeted out the link again and asked his followers to tell him what they thought about the piece's conclusion.

Watch Robert Gibbs on "Good Morning America":

Comments

[William D Simpson]

01:35 AM on 09/19/2010

No, Gibbs is wrong. What Gingrich reallly did was give people the opportunity to stop and think about the world-view Mr. Obama adheres to.

http://wsimpson.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/socialism-in-america/

[deadandgone]

01:51 PM on 09/18/2010

I am enjoying the tea party antics enormously. I am 86 and can finally say to all
those that ask me "how could all cuba be wrong about fidel?" - you see
those happy faces that joy? the women running out to the street because
they want liberty? we thought cuba was the best, but "they" did not. this is
the best country in the world, but "they" now want to topple the establishment
accusing the government of being kenyan and communist. I may not be
around for the outcome, but can tell YOU that the hannitys disappear when
the fans get tough and worse.

[Superpower]

11:20 PM on 09/16/2010

Heir Gibbles, you have a serious credibility crisis.

[Ronald B. Robinson]

11:59 AM on 09/15/2010

Gingrich is the Hannibal Lector of the "Craven Conservatives," cued by the likes of Beck and the crack of lies they crave.

[Bill Jojim]

11:20 PM on 09/14/2010

LOL! There is overwhelming evidence that he does not qualify under Article 2, section 1. Your all just a bunch of sheep. Republicans and Democrats are all a bunch of Neocon, Neolib Sheep. GOD HELP US!

[BlackTantalus]

11:04 AM on 09/14/2010

The Newt thought Michele Bachmann was getting too much attention from bat guano enthusiasts, but he's not even being original; he stole some psychobabble from Dinesh D'Souza.

Of course the Newt, in his excitement to steal someone else's idea, did not think it through. The United States was invented in the first big anti-colonial movement of the modern world! The Newt suggests that anti-colonialism is a bad, commie-like thing. You would think a man presumably educated as a historian would have a passing familiarity with the anti-colonialism of America's past.

[baffledman]

10:37 AM on 09/14/2010

LibertarianJon 18 hours ago (4:54 PM)
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I totally disagree... if you think Logically, BO's Father, BO Sr. was born in Kenya, grew up in Kenya, came to Hawaii for College, met BO's Mom, had BO, Moved back to Kenya where he worked in Politics and Law. You would insinuate that BO Sr. had some influence on BO Jr.... Wouldn't you???
___________________________________________________________________

so you don't think this is a tad racist?
____________________________________________________________________

LibertarianJon 18 hours ago (4:24 PM)
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Not at all.... but if you use your brain, Obama Sr. Was born in Kenya, worked there as a Politician and attorney after getting his degree in Hawaii, so that's what he was alluding to... you would think that BO Sr. would have some influence on BO Jr.
________________________________________________________________________

from his biography Obama also struggled with the absence of his father, who he saw only once more after his parents divorced, in a brief 1971 visit.

So that one visit could result in this syndrome?

[Peartree3]

03:35 PM on 09/14/2010

"The invisible father provides the inspiration, and the son dutifully gets the job done. America today is governed by a ghost." -D'Souza

So obviously he is getting regular visitations from Dad. After all, our last president got his instructions directly from God.... :-)

[Dunkleberger Karl]

06:26 PM on 09/14/2010

W. believed he could tell god wha to do!

[1differentdrummer]

07:33 AM on 09/14/2010

Gingrich is liar with a highly unsavory personal life. What more do we need to know?

[nana4g]

07:28 AM on 09/14/2010

I asked the question re Gringrich's father earlier and got some answers. Biological father left soon after birth; adopted by his step father. Nice enough story, but, it could be twisted and turned if someone so chose. His name changed, his wives changed, his religion changed, and he behaves like an angry man. Seems he is full of self loathing, craves attention and power, and messes it up when he gets it. I suspect this Republican is so full of pathos. He should really spend more time sorting himself out before he delves into trying to understand others.

[Titus]

06:04 AM on 09/14/2010

Actually, I think a lot of people have or had an Anti-Colonial World view. I can think of a few:

Washington, Franklin, Adamas, Jefferson, Henry, etc.

It's all about context. If you take Kenyan away from that phrase it's not so controversial is it? Gingrich is a tool, and is simply fomenting fear. He wants so badly to be President, but he never will be.

Is this really the best the Right has to offer?

[CommonSenseForChange]

08:10 AM on 09/14/2010

The best? Nope. The best he can do for this country is run, win the GOP nom, and then pick SP as a running mate. Trust me. It will be the best thing for 2012 elections because we will skewer them!

If they think 2008 was a landslide, they ain't seen nothing yet.

[Titus]

08:57 AM on 09/14/2010

Agreed. That's the dream ticket for the Dems, or maybe Palin/Beck.

This is a fairly sad state of things when the best of the Republicans won't step up and leave the presidential race to the most ridiculous. McCain, Romney, Guiliani, Huckabee, Thompson, etc. Seriously? This was the best they could do?

There are some fine people in the Republican party but I think they have been marginalized by the far right. Richard Lugar, John Danforth, Susan Collins, Kay Bailey Hutchison are all reasonable folks but would never get a chance because Sarah's crowd has overrun the place. Sad.

[LeftLeanWing]

04:19 AM on 09/14/2010

I want Gibbs to go......

I've been wanting him to go since Day 1...

I would much prefer Bill Burton in this Position
Who I equate much closer to Tony Snow ---  the best Press Secretary I've ever seen.

Gibbs just seems to awkward .... 

Burton doesn't take any Xhit !

[James Caird]

08:10 AM on 09/14/2010

Gibbs is a fine press secretary.
He's just just not part of the radical left knowing how poisonous this type of extremism is to the national dialog.

[Mister Wu]

03:43 AM on 09/14/2010

Newt is a very sick puppy.

[Jim Pasterczyk]

03:24 AM on 09/14/2010

And he does it all with rumor and innuendo and suggestion. Coming from a serial cheating husband this is especially ironic.

[eternalscorpio1]

02:13 AM on 09/14/2010

The sight of a black man in the office that Newt thought he would holding has finally driven him off the deep end.........

[ApprxAm]

04:30 AM on 09/14/2010

Hence, Dinesh D'Souza. Conservative America's favorite krypto-klansman.

[CAskeptic]

01:39 AM on 09/14/2010

Pretty interesting. I thought we were all anti-colonial. And this from a person with a doctorate in History. All Americans have to be ashamed.