Our Man Gibbs
link Facebook May Hire Robert Gibbs, Former Obama Aide – NYTimes.com.
There may be the odd person who has been in a coma for the past 3 years that doesn’t know who Robert Gibbs is. He was until recently, the official White House communications director charged with explaining policy to the press in daily briefings. Of course, explaining and making sense of White House policy was challenging enough given what he had to work with every day. Sort of like explaining current events through interpretive dance. Some say he did a commendable job, for the most part keeping a straight face while offering the most fanciful versions of events to the assembled reporters. The only giveaway was the over worked use of the “uh” mannerism, which over time came to be associated with Gibbs as much as handcuffs did with Lindsay Lohan.
You have to admire his willingness to take on challenges, because in a previous role, he was in charge of John Kerry’s campaign communications. Remember John Kerry? He of the “I was for the war before I was against it” Kerry? Gibbs is actually a career spokesman, having assumed that role for numerous Democratic contenders over the years. That being the case, you would expect a little more polish in his delivery as he became more adept at spinning. It’s not for me to criticize someone who has to make molehills out of mountains, but let’s just say by the end of his tenure we’d expect more Leno and less Pee Wee Herman.
Very amusing then, to find that Gibbs is rumored to be courted by Facebook, that juggernaut of social media communications, to advise on their activities in advance of a public offering. Like George Bush when he was in office trying to explain something, Gibbs not only had words fail him, they were seen headed on planes out of the country. You can almost imagine that Gibbs got away with lots of naughty things as a child because his parents couldn’t bear to hear the explanations. Despite all of this, his talents appear to be of great value to Facebook as they build the depth of their management team. Of course, Facebook is a texting medium, not an audio medium, so maybe Gibbs’ talents will really shine there. Unlike his previous gigs however, he doesn’t have to explain away questionable policies, so his experience may be wasted. Still, if I were him, I would patent the “uh” abbreviation before it falls into popular use like LOL, or OMG. That alone could be worth millions.