Lesson Learned from Gibbs' Gaffe: Perception is Everything

By: Lauren Seifert
Topics: Democrats ,; Campaign 2010 ,; Washington Unplugged ,; Obama Administration

The fallout for Robert Gibbs continues and after much of this week spent backtracking, the White House Press Secretary is still feeling the heat over his comments that Democrats could lose control of the House come November, this time from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats.

According to reports, the speaker and other Democrats held a closed-door meeting and took aim at the top White House aid in the room; grilling him about the impact of Gibbs' comments.

On Wednesday's Washington Unplugged, CBS News Capitol Hill Producer Jill Jackson spoke with host Bill Plante and said, "The speaker was very upset. Democrats are very upset. Perception is everything."

Gibbs' comments could be welcome relief for House Republicans who faced some negative press in recent weeks, from Rep. Joe Barton's (R-Texas) "apology" to BP to House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) comparing the financial reform bill to "killing an ant with a nuclear weapon."

Jackson told Plante, "Republicans are using this in their messaging. They're going to be able to use that at every press conference, on the Floor. They're going to be able to use that to raise money, which is a huge thing between now and November."

Pelosi's backroom grilling Tuesday evening also shed light on tensions that have plagued the relationship between the White House and House Democrats. "There's been some resentment over the past year or so from House Democrats," Jackson said.

She continued, "[Pelosi] has said we've done everything you've asked, the House has passed every piece of legislation that's part of the 'Obama agenda' and where's the credit? It seems like you're not fighting for us."

Plante noted that this kind of relationship between the administration and Congress is nothing new. Jackson responded, "This is not unusual at all. House members are very focused on 2010 right now whereas the White House is probably more concerned with 2012 and that means that sometimes messages will cross."

Watch Wednesday's "Washington Unplugged" above, also featuring Carnegie Endowment for International Peace's Karim Sadjadpour on Iranian scientist Shahram Amiri and CBS News' Christina Ruffini with a report on France's burqa ban.

"Washington Unplugged," CBSNews.com's exclusive daily politics Webshow, appears live on CBSNews.com each weekday at 2 p.m. ET. Click here to check out previous episodes.

Lauren Seifert
Lauren Seifert is an associate producer for CBSNews.com.
Follow on Twitter »

11 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment See all 11 Comments


by cktirumalai July 17, 2010 10:23 AM EDT: Robert Gibbs is generally a cool performer, who has invited White House correspondents to call him by his first name, which quite a few do. He knows how to dodge questions he does not wish to answer. His gaffe on this occasion has to do with a real possibility-- Democrats loosing control of the House of Representatives in 2010, but I believe it was just that: a gaffe, though one with nuclear fall-out in the political arena. He didn't mean to cheer the GOP on but it has produced that inadvertent effect. A politician ensures that his brakes are in good working order, knowing when to stop; the Press Secretary is not always so adept in the game.
Candadai Tirumalai; Reply to this comment


by AEstates July 15, 2010 12:09 PM EDT: "Perception is everything"? Unfortunately; when it comes to our government, Dems or Reps, that really does seem to be the case. And; the only case. I sure hope that after the last 10+ years of disaster after disaster the majority of the people look beyond the smoke and mirrors mentality of our currently elected representatives of BOTH parties and take the steps necessary to rid this country of all of them. Sadly; I don't perceive that happening.; Reply to this comment

by confused2byu July 15, 2010 12:06 PM EDT

Nancy Pelosi needs to click her heels together three times and come back to reality. If the Dems loose the house it is due to her leadership not what Gibbs stated; which seems to be more fact than fiction. So 4 months out Pelosi is already lining up her scapegoats if the Dems loose.

If I don't vote for any Dems in November is will be due to Pelosi not the White House. In 2012 my votes will be more White House oriented.

Reply to this comment


by The-Raven1 July 15, 2010 1:28 PM EDT: "Nancy Pelosi needs to click her heels"

Ha ha. I guess you would consider her the wicked witch of the west?

You go, girl! But you better damn well stop the influx of illegal immigrants, and keep working at creating American jobs.


by The-Raven1 July 15, 2010 7:51 AM EDT: This is all fine and dandy.

Please, read my commentary here:

http://www.benzinga.com/life/movers-shakers/10/07/376260/the-conservative-keynes-benzinga-s-exclusive-interview-with-bruce-b

It's not spam, and it's important, damn it.

I did not sign up to put my life on the line for what we currently have, and I love President Obama. It's the Senate. Hello, Mr. Reid.

Please, PLEASE, click on the link above and read my comment.; Reply to this comment


by endurorob_5 July 15, 2010 7:05 AM EDT: If you have Pelosi mad at you you must be doing something right. Nice work ferret face.; Reply to this comment


by TotalCreation July 14, 2010 6:40 PM EDT: Wait... so Robert Gibbs isn't allowed to be right?; Reply to this comment


by stn_sage July 14, 2010 6:17 PM EDT: Wait a minute! Gibbs is supposed to be a 'media specialist', right?
This is a lesson HE should ALREADY know!; Reply to this comment

by halligator July 14, 2010 6:00 PM EDT

First a reporter,then a general,now Gibbs.When did the citzens of the United States lose their first amendment rights???? Does the truth hurt that much that we have to censure the Truth speakers???????? Fire them,run them out of their jobs. I thought people had the right to speak in this country.

Reply to this comment


by TotalCreation July 14, 2010 6:42 PM EDT: We lost that with when we passed the patriot act without reading it first.


by omigodimatroll July 14, 2010 5:55 PM EDT: "The speaker was very upset. Democrats are very upset. Perception is everything."

As opposed to, say, reality? Sweatin' at the Cow Palace. Sweet.; Reply to this comment