RobertGibbs

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  • White House press conference overwhelmed by cell phones

    by 
    Nilay Patel
    Nilay Patel
    05.14.2009

    Quick note: if you can't figure out how to set your phone to vibrate during a tense White House press conference, at least learn to turn the damn thing off. Video after the break.P.S.- We're actually more amazed at the second guy, who not only interrupts the briefing, but walks out of the room to take the call. Cojones!

  • Confirmed: Obama gets his BlackBerry, no Sectera Edge in sight

    by 
    Joshua Topolsky
    Joshua Topolsky
    01.22.2009

    At Robert Gibbs' first press conference as President Obama's Press Secretary, the most important and heated debate of our time has been put to rest. According to Gibbs, Obama will be able to keep his BlackBerry, though only a limited number of senior staff and personal contacts will have access to his email address, and the data on the handheld will be subject to the Presidential Records Act. There was no mention of the NSA or the Sectera Edge, though he does mention some enhanced security. In Gibbs' words:"The President has a BlackBerry through a compromise that allows him to stay in touch with senior staff and a small group of personal friends in a way that use will be limited and the security is enhanced to ensure his ability to communicate, but to do so effectively and to do so in a way that's protected."Finally, a clear indication that for the first time in the 21st century, the President of the United States will act like it's the 21st century. You can watch it all go down in the video after the break -- just crank it to about 45:30. Now, on to this economic stuff we keep hearing about...[Thanks, Vipul]