White House Press Corps.org: The Problem Is Obama Isn't Listening Enough - White House Press Briefing by Robert Gibbs 9/8/09

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The Problem Is Obama Isn't Listening Enough - White House Press Briefing by Robert Gibbs 9/8/09
— Tuesday, September 08, 2009 —

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Q Robert, there's a story on Politico, based on a speech that Steve Hildebrand, one of the President's former campaign advisors, delivered a couple of weeks ago over the recess, in which he expressed some concern on health care and other issues. And among other things he said that he believes the President needs to be "more bold in his leadership," that he's frustrated with the lack of performance in Washington in general, not just at the White House but Congress, as well. And specifically he said, "The problem is Obama isn't listening enough." How do you react to that kind of criticism from somebody who was a campaign insider?

MR. GIBBS: Well, look, we all know and love Steve Hildebrand. He was there for longer than the campaign. He was involved in the President's decision-making on whether to run. I think Steve said in that article, and it's true, because he's talked to a lot of us, there's nothing in there that we haven’t all heard from him.

But, look, I think Steve's frustration is the frustration of people not only in this town, but a lot of people outside of this town, and that is Washington's inability to address its big problems and get something done. That's what led the President to run for President and that's what led him to fight for reforming health care.

Q But he's specifically saying the President is not being bold enough.

MR. GIBBS: Well, I'll e-mail Steve and tell him which affiliate in Sioux Falls will be covering the speech so he can listen to the President. But, look, Ed, nothing that we haven’t gotten personally from Steve on our e-mail before.

Labels: Health Care, Legislation, President Obama, Press Briefing, Robert Gibbs, White House Press Corps

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Posted by White House Press Corps @ 9:46:00 PM

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