Former Obama spokesman: American people too smart for Trump
By David Jackson, USA TODAY
Former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs is on the speaking circuit these days, talking up his former boss President Obama and talking down potential Republican challenger Donald Trump.
"The American people are smarter than the candidacy that (Trump) is offering," Gibbs told a crowd last night at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y.
Gibbs took particularly aim at Trump's suggestions that Obama was not born in Hawaii.
"If he thinks he can build a campaign on the president's birth certificate, I don't think he will be hired by the American people," Gibbs said. "In the end, I don't think he runs."
The former press secretary -- who may be a consultant to Obama's 2012 campaign -- said he's surprised at the slow-starting Republican campaign. He cast Mitt Romney as the front-runner for the GOP nomination, and said Mike Huckabee could be a tough opponent.
Gibbs said the Obama administration has turned around the economy, though it remains a pressing election issue.
"I think there's still a tremendous amount of economic anxiety and economic hardship," Gibbs said.
Obama deserves credit for avoiding another depression, he added.
"We came into work and we didn't know was today going to be the day the housing market fully collapsed, was today the day another huge bank was going to go under," Gibbs said.
By the way, we expect Gibbs to return to the White House on Friday. His favorite football team, the Auburn Tigers, are being honored by Obama for the winning the national title earlier this year.
By David Jackson, USA TODAY
Former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs is on the speaking circuit these days, talking up his former boss President Obama and talking down potential Republican challenger Donald Trump.
"The American people are smarter than the candidacy that (Trump) is offering," Gibbs told a crowd last night at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y.
Gibbs took particularly aim at Trump's suggestions that Obama was not born in Hawaii.
"If he thinks he can build a campaign on the president's birth certificate, I don't think he will be hired by the American people," Gibbs said. "In the end, I don't think he runs."
The former press secretary -- who may be a consultant to Obama's 2012 campaign -- said he's surprised at the slow-starting Republican campaign. He cast Mitt Romney as the front-runner for the GOP nomination, and said Mike Huckabee could be a tough opponent.
Gibbs said the Obama administration has turned around the economy, though it remains a pressing election issue.
"I think there's still a tremendous amount of economic anxiety and economic hardship," Gibbs said.
Obama deserves credit for avoiding another depression, he added.
"We came into work and we didn't know was today going to be the day the housing market fully collapsed, was today the day another huge bank was going to go under," Gibbs said.
By the way, we expect Gibbs to return to the White House on Friday. His favorite football team, the Auburn Tigers, are being honored by Obama for the winning the national title earlier this year.