We won’t have Robert Gibbs to kick around any more
Except that we will; Gibbs is leaving the White House press secretary post only to become a political adviser to the president and his re-election campaign.
It will still be very pleasant not to have Gibbs as Obama’s public face and mouthpiece. It is no surprise that he will stay on as a trusted adviser, because he’s had that role in addition to the press role for quite some time. The only meaningful change in Obama’s Gang of Four so far appears to have been the departure of Rahm Emanuel, who was the member least close to Obama to begin with (Axelrod, like Gibbs, changed venues but remains as a trusted confidant and helper).
Gibbs’ departure is probably part of Obama’s shift to a kinder, gentler facade of compromise and moderation. It will be interesting to see his replacement, but my guess is that it will be someone less offensive and less combative. Of course, that’s pretty easy to accomplish; it would be hard to find someone more offensive and more combative. But make no mistake about it; Gibbs will remain very influential behind the scenes.
The shuffle in the Obama Administration has all sorts of possibilities. It is expected that few if any new faces will appear. Most likely it will just be a game of inner-circle musical chairs. Just imagine if Michelle would take the job as Press Secretary. Since Joe Biden is obviously underemployed, maybe he could serve a dual role! Personally I would favor Biden for sheer entertainment potential. Michelle is too defensive.
If Gibbs remains an inner-circle advisor, so much the better. Gibbs is an idiot and his counsel will keep Obama on the road to an early retirement.
I remember seeing one of his first press briefings and thinking that he was incompetent and wouldn’t last a month. I’m amazed that he’s lasted this long.
So when does Alan Grayson takeover as WH press sec’y?
You are missing the real point here. Obama cannot fire anyone within his inner circle. Because the image of Obama as a well-read, intelligent scholar making reasoned decisions will not survive the inner circle revelation that he is actually a disinterested, shallow, chain-smoking wreck. For that, he needs to keep his inner circle tight.
I expect the craven White House Press Corpse will miss him too.