Robert Gibbs Leaving White House

Robert Gibbs is leaving the White House after serving as press secretary for two years.

"It's true," the Obama adviser confirmed to CBS News.

Gibbs will depart in February, and he plans to become an outside political adviser to President Obama. He will also give private sector speeches, according to the Associated Press.

No replacement has been named.

"He's had a six-year stretch now where basically he's been going 24/7 with relatively modest pay. I think it's natural for someone like Robert to want to step back for a second to reflect, retool and that, as a consequence, brings about both challenges and opportunities for the White House," President Obama told the New York Times.

On Tuesday, the Washington Post reported that Gibbs was contemplating leaving the administration to create a private consulting business as part of Obama's 2012 reelection campaign.

Comments

[JDZSB]

09:32 AM on 01/07/2011

Gibbs had a tough job as Press Secretary for Obama but did an OK job considering the nosedive of the President in the polls and the "shellacking" he and his party took in the last election. He is leaving to go work with Axelrod to prepare for the 2012 election run. They may have a challenge in the primary to Obama.

[SequimBob2]

09:16 AM on 01/06/2011

Robert, on behalf of the 'professional, delusional left,' allow me to say we won't miss you.

[buckbanter44]

06:54 AM on 01/06/2011

He didn't use the 'family' excuse, did he? Yea he did. "I know a little boy who needs a ride to school occasionally". When they are told to leave, the Washington 2nd tier players must be given a list of 2 excuses to use when they 'leave' their positions. Health is the second and less desirable option.

[adelaid]

06:53 AM on 01/06/2011

Yea!...it's about time...THE WORST...horrible press secretary...what a schmo...did ZERO for Obama's admin/tenure...fell into the job so it's not surprising. gimme a BREAK.

[jwredd]

08:20 AM on 01/06/2011

What is it exactly you think the press secretary does? How would he have done more for Obama's admin/tenure?

[DogTown]

04:54 AM on 01/06/2011

172K is not enough...these people drive me crazy!

[afgail]

03:43 AM on 01/06/2011

Was there ever a slower, less articulate presidential press secretary? He was totally unable to pass along the daily administration talking point. So long Gibbs. You sure were able to hide your light under the bushel basket. If you have one.

[Juno912]

12:07 AM on 01/06/2011

Good riddance.

We life longing voting Democrats have found Robert Gibbs to be the sort of repulsive, arrogant sort of political operative that we have spent our whole life organizing against. The fact that he acted in service of a Democratic president makes it all the more disgusting.

Come 2012, just as in 2012, if Obama is on the top of the ticket, he will be met with the sqme sort of ambivalence that caused the greatest rejection of a ruling party in nearly 60 years.

As I said, good riddance. Barf.

[Highnotes]

11:26 PM on 01/05/2011

Buh bye, now. Don't let the door hit you on your way out.

As part of the "Professional Left", I would like to thank you for your departure. Wish it had been 2 years sooner.

[JDM73]

10:43 PM on 01/05/2011

The Professional Left bids you adieu, Bobby. We're not going anywhere.

[Allen Reed Jensen]

09:44 PM on 01/05/2011

I didn't like Robert Gates' combative style but much like David Axelrod even conservatives like me have to admire the man, his political mastery of words, and that he is a genuinely nice guy. I don't know who Obama's best choice for a replacement (and if I knew of course I as a republican wouldn't tell him) but I know who I don't want the president to choose and that is Bill Burton. His words are often tainted with animosity and disrespect especially when dealing with questions and critics from the opposite side. I don't think he has the appropriate demeanor or patience needed to help reflect an administration wanting to be seen as post-partisan.

[Allen Reed Jensen]

10:25 PM on 01/05/2011

I meant to say Robert Gibbs, and not Gates. For a Secretary of Defensive Robert Gates is anything but combative, which is probably a good thing knowing our arsenal of weaponry.

[dfranz]

08:44 PM on 01/05/2011

I think being the Presidents Press Secretary must be the worlds most irritating job. Imagine being yammered every day with inane questions, many of which you aren't authorized to answer. I liked Robert Gibbs when he first showed up. He seemed smart and congenial, the kind of guy you'd like to have a beer with. Like someone in a bad relationship, he soured and his attitude became more sarcastic than informative. Guess the yammering got to him.

[mdmccormick]

07:59 PM on 01/05/2011

It was your job to defend the President and agree with everything lock step. You did your job well.

It was and is my right to call BS when I disagree, and I have and will continue to do so. Hope you find a high paying job which I suspect you will due to the failure to change anything in Washington’s revolving door.

[P Alcala]

07:08 PM on 01/05/2011

We will really miss Robert Gibbs. He speaks truth and tells it just like it is. We love you, Robert & are so very thankful that you've been there for the president. God knows there are enough liberal types who need to be "checked" from time to time because they think they are the majority in the Democratic Party. They tend to not learn from their mistakes and that explains why progressive legislation hadn't been passed in our country in years. They have loud voices but they lack patience and substance. How sad! I saw and heard the same kind of rhetoric being tossed against former President Clinton. When will they learn? The good news is that President Obama's base are moderate Democrats. 20% of a party can not be considered to be one's base constituency. It's absurd. No matter how many times they say it, it simply does NOT make it so. Again, thank you for supporting our president and having his back, at ALL times. Maybe you should tell the liberals, before you leave, to stop calling the 'Affordable Care Act' "Obamacare." OMG! Imagine if Social Security was referred to as "Rooseveltcare!" How silly! But it's even sillier hearing self-proclaimed "liberals" with all their "genius" ideas about messaging and governing refer to a monumental health care bill as anything other than what it is: a piece of legislation that protects the American people. Good luck, Robert! You're the man!!

[Brandon1990]

07:05 PM on 01/05/2011

Mr. Gibbs drop the Kid excuse you were fired.

[Hernan Reyes]

08:05 PM on 01/05/2011

Glenn, thanks for telling us the truth, as you only know it !

[Brandon1990]

08:55 PM on 01/05/2011

ha

[P Alcala]

08:07 PM on 01/05/2011

Laughable! If you think President Obama fired his "ACE," Robert Gibbs, you're really living in a fantasy world. Press secretaries usually leave early because of the grueling schedule that comes along with the job. George W. Bush went through 4 press secretaries in 8 years. Bill Clinton went through 5 press secretaries in 8 years. My point is that leaving the post of press secretary is common. Robert Gibbs has been at this for 2 years as White House Press Secretary (working 12 or more hours daily) but has been with President Obama since 2004 as then Senator Obama's Communication Director and he worked, tirelessly, along with then Senator Obama, 7 days a week, during the presidential campaign. One can only last so long without a proper amount of rest & he's going to be able to make his own hours now. He deserves it. He's worked so hard for President Obama. I love him because he doesn't bite his tongue! He's a southern gentleman but he will tell you just like he sees it and I respect him for it. I find that I usually agree with Robert Gibbs. We see things eye to eye! Those in my household will dearly miss him.

[Brandon1990]

08:55 PM on 01/05/2011

Yeah your correct really didn't look at it from that point of view.

[ChicagoSuz]

11:10 PM on 01/05/2011

Wherever he is, you can be sure he'll be involved in the 2012 campaign. He can do more from outside the WH.

[Utotmo]

06:50 PM on 01/05/2011

No more biatchy white pork