Gibbs: I Was Told Not to Acknowledge Drones

Monday, February 25, 2013

Robert Gibbs, President Barack Obama's former press secretary, said that he was once instructed by the White House not to acknowledge the administration's use of drones. "When I went through the process of becoming press secretary, one of the first things they told me was, you're not even to acknowledge the drone program," Gibbs said on MSNBC's Up With Chris Hayes on Sunday. "You're not even to discuss that it exists." Gibbs, who was recently hired by MSNBC as a contributor, called the proposition "inherently crazy." "You're being asked a question based on reporting of a program that exists," Gibbs, who served as White House press secretary from 2009 to 2011, said. "So you're the official government spokesperson acting as if the entire program -- pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."

Posted by zack991 at 02:33 PM | 39 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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zack991

Joined 2010/07/30
Visited 2013/05/25

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"The most transparent president in history." what a complete bull.

#1 | Posted by zack991 at 2013-02-24 03:42 PM | Reply | Flag:

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

#2 | Posted by coyote at 2013-02-24 07:13 PM | Reply | Flag:

"Robert Gibbs, President Barack Obama's former press secretary, says that he was once instructed by the White House not to acknowledge the administration's use of drones."

"Gibbs, who was recently hired by MSNBC as a contributor, called the proposition "inherently crazy."

Almost as crazy as referring to terrorism as "workplace violence".

#3 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-24 07:29 PM | Reply | Flag:

If they were trying to hide this from public and the outrage they knew it would stir especially around the election time, what else is being hidden.

#4 | Posted by zack991 at 2013-02-24 09:14 PM | Reply | Flag:

Press secretaries are always told what they can say or not. It's the job description.
No biggie. If Panetta had been told that....same deal. Secret is secret until the congressional subpoena comes or the Freedom of Information request shows up.
Only then do I get ticked...hear that, AG Holder?

#5 | Posted by Diablo at 2013-02-24 09:41 PM | Reply | Flag:

Americans have every right to know what their government is going, especially when they are targeting American citizens. I used to feel the way the Top Secret is for the public safety, but I longer hold that view point. I truly hope more things are leaked to wake people up of all the illegal things the US Government has been up too and hiding behind national security.

#6 | Posted by zack991 at 2013-02-24 09:48 PM | Reply | Flag:

Administrations manage information. Something new? No.

#7 | Posted by et_al at 2013-02-24 09:49 PM | Reply | Flag:

#7 | Posted by et_al

More like hiding the facts of what every single Administration has always done, republican and democrat. Simply they are hiding it from the American people hoping they dont get caught, much like any other liar hoping they dont get caught. It is like a person having a excuse for going over to another married woman's house to cheat, "what woman. This is the first time I have heard of this cheating, there is no such thing going on. Hey look over there at the R or D doing something wrong."

#8 | Posted by zack991 at 2013-02-24 09:59 PM | Reply | Flag:

#8 | Posted by zack991

Yes, administrations (plural, inclusive of all) manage information.

Oldest son just came in with a big grin. I greeted, "what's up?" Response; "Kids are doing to me what I did to you. I just figured it out..."

#9 | Posted by et_al at 2013-02-24 10:22 PM | Reply | Flag:

When you state that you will have the most transparent administration in history. That typically makes you a liar. But that's not new of this administration.

#10 | Posted by T_Man at 2013-02-24 10:31 PM | Reply | Flag:

#10 | Posted by T_Man
When you ~~state that you will have~~ [campaign as] the most transparent administration in history.[sic] That typically makes you a ~~liar~~ [politician]. But that's not new[.] ~~of this administration~~.

Keep workin'.

#11 | Posted by et_al at 2013-02-24 11:04 PM | Reply | Flag:

#11 | POSTED BY ET_AL

Keep pretending and defending.

thehill.com

"This is the most transparent administration in history," Obama said during a Google Plus "Fireside" Hangout.

#12 | Posted by T_Man at 2013-02-25 02:42 AM | Reply | Flag:

#12 | POSTED BY T_MAN

Not to defend, but "most transparent" doesn't mean "fully transparent".

Just indicates they went just a little further while doing the same things as all the others prior, not that I know for a fact that is the case mind you, just saying you may need to alter your outrage using different text.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

#13 | Posted by lohocla at 2013-02-25 01:08 PM | Reply | Flag:

the ole 'they all do it defense'...

if you use that then you have to admit that the man's pledge to be the most transparent and all that jive has gone the way of his statement about gitmo....lets see..he DID close it the first year didn't he?

ha ha yeah right..

#14 | Posted by afkabl2 at 2013-02-25 02:42 PM | Reply | Flag:

The potential Constitutional problems surrounding the use of drone technology, especially to conduct assassinations are obvious. Anyone but a partisan cheerleader can see it from a mile away. These orders to Gibbs just reinforces what all of us have known all along. Namely, the White House clearly was aware of the possible Constitutional problems and insofar as possible hoped to avoid dealing with them for as long as possible.

#15 | Posted by moder8 at 2013-02-25 02:51 PM | Reply | Flag:

I don't forgive Gibbs one bit - he was a smarmy ass, dismissive and rude, not just a bad liar.

#16 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2013-02-25 02:53 PM | Reply | Flag:

"The most transparent president in history." what a complete bull.

#1 | Posted by zack991

yeah! Transparent my butt...When will Obama publish those nuclear launch codes?

--sadsack999

#17 | Posted by donnerboy at 2013-02-25 03:05 PM | Reply | Flag:

Donner, no one is asking for such stupidity? Obama said he would be transparent. Brags all the time about being transparent. Now, we know he isn't. It's ok. Everybody knows including the media that are complaining about him now.

#18 | Posted by Dalton at 2013-02-25 03:11 PM | Reply | Flag:

good point "D"

same people barking baloney before election are all in a tizzy cause they couldnt show him hitting balls with tiger...

#19 | Posted by afkabl2 at 2013-02-25 03:15 PM | Reply | Flag:

I don't forgive Gibbs one bit - he was a smarmy ass, dismissive and rude, not just a bad liar.
#16 | POSTED BY REDLIGHTROBOT

I think you forgot two others. He has no integrity or discretion and now he has no access to the White House after airing their laundry on MSNBC.

#20 | Posted by paneocon at 2013-02-25 03:19 PM | Reply | Flag:

#17 | Posted

Make what attempts at a joke you want, but Obama has claimed time and time again he wont be like that past guy in the white House that his Administration WILL BE THE most transparent ever. Yet he has used executive privilege on a congressional investigation even though he claims he knew nothing about it for one, the leaks coming out are making him look like the a huge fool and not Biden for once, which is not easy.

#21 | Posted by zack991 at 2013-02-25 03:25 PM | Reply | Flag:

If he had acknowledged the drones, the drones would have acknowledged him.

#22 | Posted by tiger150 at 2013-02-25 03:37 PM | Reply | Flag:

#11

Et al

Face it Obummer is a total liar, I won't raise taxes on anyone under $250k, most transparent administration in history, I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, (no wait I need campaign contributions, I agree with gay marriage), I will close Gitmo as one of my first acts, and I could keep going and going there are more than enough lies by Obummer to fill a book the size of War and Peace. Even Clinton, both Bushes, Reagan, and Carter did not lie this much.

#23 | Posted by gtjr at 2013-02-25 03:51 PM | Reply | Flag:

#13 | POSTED BY LOHOCLA AT 2013-02-25 01:08 PM

I don't think I said "fully" transparent, or did I miss something? And he's by far NOT "more" transparent than any other administration. The president is the one who made these wild claims, no one else did it but him.

#24 | Posted by T_Man at 2013-02-25 04:49 PM | Reply | Flag:

Transparency = CREDIBILITY
Oboner possesses neither..!!!
Proof is in the actions, not the empty 'campaign rhetoric' which he continues to spew...such as the 'scare tactics' he is now using which are worse than terrorist attacks on the public integrity and decency....

#25 | Posted by drsoul at 2013-02-25 05:09 PM | Reply | Flag:

Donner, no one is asking for such stupidity?

Yes you are. You are asking for all the operational details of an active military asset. You aren't going to get that. You will get a watered down version fit for public consumption.

The debate regarding drones is a healthy debate. Unlike the debate regarding torture was during the last administration. Don't expect the executive branch to give up that asset easily.

And no...It is not a perfect transparency. It is a step towards transparency which is the opposite direction the last administration was taking with the predictably horrible outcome of Abu Ghraib.

#26 | Posted by donnerboy at 2013-02-25 05:10 PM | Reply | Flag:

Afk

Not my intent to play that game, but ill respond to your troll with one of my own

did obama try to close gitmo, from what ive read, yes. He failed because no one wanted them in their country

Yer bias is showing, not that you care. You cry when he acts unilaterally and when he doesnt you cry louder.

#27 | Posted by Lohocla at 2013-02-25 05:35 PM | Reply | Flag:

It is a step towards transparency
#26 | Posted by donnerboy
So being told to deny that it even exists is a step towards transparency? Nice bizzaro world you live in.

#28 | Posted by freechoice at 2013-02-25 05:41 PM | Reply | Flag:

I don't remember Obama saying he was going to take a step towards transparency? Obama over hyped what he as President could and would do. Once he started getting a dose of the real world he has changed though. Just not the change he promised.

#29 | Posted by Dalton at 2013-02-25 05:57 PM | Reply | Flag:

I don't forgive Gibbs one bit - he was a smarmy ass, dismissive and rude, not just a bad liar.
#16 | POSTED BY REDLIGHTROBOT
I think you forgot two others. He has no integrity or discretion and now he has no access to the White House after airing their laundry on MSNBC.
#20 | Posted by paneocon at 2013-02-25 03:19 PM

He did not like to be "challenged", engaging in the typical "refer to what I've previously expressed regarding statements of this nature", ad nauseum, while we're only waiting on the White House manipulated versions of any topic anyhow, so he's simply obstructing to be seen as aggressive. I find that reprehensible and childish in this regard because he's again making himself the topic here and taking no culpability, but I also generally despise all of the White House Press Secretaries equally for their obstructive arrogance.

#30 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2013-02-25 06:04 PM | Reply | Flag:

Obama over hyped what he as President could and would do. Once he started getting a dose of the real world he has changed though.

Your faux rage is very telling.

Obama made promises that he found difficult to keep. As all politicians do. Obama is no better or worse than any that he has followed into the oval office. But, in fact, he has keep hundreds of promises. And he has at least turned us back in the right direction on the ones he cannot fulfill right away. I agree he can go further in many areas...It is up to all of us to keep him honest and hold him to his word.

The Executive Branch does not give up power easily once it is attained.

You are lucky you have him right now and not Romney or another Yosemite Sam from Texas.

#31 | Posted by donnerboy at 2013-02-25 07:58 PM | Reply | Flag:

So being told to deny that it even exists is a step towards transparency? Nice bizzaro world you live in.

#28 | Posted by freechoice

Obama's former spokesman said that while the administration has recently expressed the need to be more transparent about its use of drones, certain aspects of that program are "highly sensitive" and will likely remain secret.

Everyone knew it existed including you. But, it was a sensitive and classified program. The usual way they handle sensitive and classified programs is to neither confirm or deny them.

Yet.. here we are all talking about it.

I'd say that is a very large step towards transparency.

#32 | Posted by donnerboy at 2013-02-25 08:04 PM | Reply | Flag:

Yer bias is showing, not that you care. You cry when he acts unilaterally and when he doesnt you cry louder.

#27 | Posted by Lohocla at

you're right..

when lame media gets screwed over by HIM I dont' care..

when young people who voted for him because he was cool are out on the street with no job...I DONT CARE..

and when we see big money people get visits to white house after HE said those things were 'threats to our democracy' I DOnt care..

when he used bush ideas on terrorism...I dont care....

the man is a liar and a hypocrite and a danger to this once great constitutional republic

and I REALLY dont care when he throws the press out before he and the govs meet...I DONT CARE...

#33 | Posted by afkabl2 at 2013-02-25 09:05 PM | Reply | Flag:

#31

Yes donnerboy he has turned us in the right direction............if you consider bankruptcy of the U.S., over regulation to slow hiring, high unemployment with no end in sight, manipulating the financial system that will result in high interest rates and double digit inflation, zero job growth (remember to just stay even with job force entry you need a MINIMUM of 150,000 jobs per month. So adding 1.8 million jobs just keeps us even), making sure the U.S. will not be a world leader, making sure oil drilling projects are put on hold so we continue to have high oil prices.

If you consider this the right direction you obviously do not like this country, perhaps you should look for a new country, one that you might like. Maybe North Korea, China, Cuba, Venezula, you know one of those nice socialist/communist countries where opportunity abounds.

#34 | Posted by gtjr at 2013-02-25 10:13 PM | Reply | Flag:

I'd say that is a very large step towards transparency.
#32 | Posted by donnerboy
So doubling down on bizzaro world, sounds about like a move for a water boy.

#35 | Posted by freechoice at 2013-02-25 10:20 PM | Reply | Flag:

#33 | Posted by afkabl2 at 2013-02-25 09:05 PM | Reply

I do care that you don't care.

#36 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-25 11:39 PM | Reply | Flag:

**** Obama doesn't care if you do not like him...but don't say it too loud because now.. he can legally KILL YOU!!!

#37 | Posted by AntiCadillac at 2013-02-26 03:04 AM | Reply | Flag:

Gibbs gets it wrong when he says "our denial of the existence of the program when it's obviously happening undermines people's confidence overall in the decisions that their government makes."

Yes it undermines confidence, but not in "decisions". It undermines confidence in TRUTHFULLNESS. Cynicism aside, we do in general expect dictators to lie, and democratically elected governments to tell the truth. The idiots running Obama's show have let the cat out of the bag again by proving that our "democratic" government is just as packed with lies as the best dictatorships.

#38 | Posted by thecommentator at 2013-02-26 12:26 PM | Reply | Flag:

I do care that you don't care.

#36 | Posted by matsop

great...jimmy crack corn.

#39 | Posted by afkabl2 at 2013-02-26 01:08 PM | Reply | Flag: