An Earnest, and sincere, praise

Press Secretary Josh Earnest, in his last press briefing under the Obama administration, received some kind words from the Commander-in- Chief during Tuesday's press briefing. The president praised Earnest for his "integrity", for being a "straight-shooter" and having an "All-American" look "going for him."

"That's helpful", said the president.

Earnest has been ridiculed for being "too vanilla" and had been ridiculed by incoming president Trump as being "foolish."

Said Trump during one of his campaign rallies, "This foolish guy, Josh Earnest, I don't know," Trump told the crowd. "You know, having the right press secretary is so important because he's so bad the way he delivers a message. He can deliver a positive message and it sounds bad. He could say ladies and gentlemen, today we have totally defeated ISIS, and it wouldn't sound good, OK?"

During today's presser Earnest said, "I have to admit that even that one made me laugh."

Earnest (more selective than previous Obama press secretaries about reporters he chooses to call on during press briefings) said his job hadn't been all fun and games and rattled off a laundry list of times he has 'tangled' with Senator Chuck Schumer over various pieces of legislation.

"There was a time where I tangled with Senator Schumber for funding for DHS in New York City, and the time I battled with Schumer over the Iran deal..."

Today's briefing marked Earnest's 354th briefing as press secretary. He is the third press secretary under the Obama administration, succeeding press secretaries Robert (Bob) Gibbs and Jay Carney.

Comments

In wake of the Zika virus, travel, spring break still O.K.

Representatives from the CDC and the NIH were on hand at the White House during Monday's press briefing to update the public and address concerns over the Zika virus that has caused some babies to be born with deformities. Dr. Anne Schuchat from the Centers for Disease Control and Dr. Tony Fauci from the National Institutes of Health told reporters that a vaccine is in the making. The pair also said they are particulary concerned about women who are pregnant, or plan to get pregnant, who have either traveled to or plan to travel to areas of South America and the Carribean known to have the Zika virus. Despite those bold statements, the doctors said there is no wide-spread concern and that Americans should continue to travel, including during upcoming college spring breaks -- when college students travel to warmer climate destinations to escape winter weather. "Travel to Zika-affected areas is very common among Americans, and we don’t think that needs to stop...

Congressional Black Caucus Week Tackles Tough Issues: Among Them Youth Unemployment and Education

Congressional members convene at today's Congressional Black Caucus Town Hall Meeting. Photo/CD Brown Mark your calendars to attend this year's Congressional Black Caucus events at the Washington Convention Center. This year's theme Vision, Journey, Mission will address many topics concerning Americans including jobs and education (especially for youth), and economic advancement. In today's Town Hall meeting titled 'Educating Our Way To Prosperity' members on the panel that included Congressman Elijah Cummings, Representative Dianne Watson (D-CA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), and author of The Other Wes Moore talked about educating youth for green jobs, and to think entrepreneurial instead working for someone else. "We must develop entrepreneurial opportunities", said Fattah. "In many cultures it's a common discussion to educate youth to think about starting a business." Congressman Elijah Cummings who sits on the Joint Economic ...

President Obama Meets Muslim Leaders

from the White House press office. THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2015 Readout of the President’s Meeting with American Muslim Leaders The President this afternoon met with American Muslim leaders to discuss a range of domestic and foreign policy issues. The President thanked the participants for their work in a variety of fields and for coming together to offer views on issues of importance to their communities, noting that his regular interactions with different faith communities provided him with valuable insights and feedback. Among the topics of discussion were the community’s efforts and partnerships with the Administration on a range of domestic issues such as the Affordable Care Act, issues of anti-Muslim violence and discrimination, the 21 st Century Policing Task Force, and the upcoming White House Summit on Countering Violence Extremism. The President reiterated his Administr...

Politics. On Point.

Search This Blog