Greg Sargent has a response by Gibbs:
So what I may have said inartfully ...
So we should all, me included, stop fighting each other and arguing about our differences on certain policies, and instead work together to make sure everyone knows what is at stake because we've come too far to turn back now
Robert Gibbs concedes attack on left was "inartful"
The entire Gibbs response from The Plum Line:
I watch too much cable, I admit. Day after day it gets frustrating. Yesterday I watched as someone called legislation to prevent teacher layoffs a bailout -- but I know that's not a view held by many, nor were the views I was frustrated about.
So what I may have said inartfully, let me say this way -- since coming to office in January 2009, this White House and Congress have worked tirelessly to put our country back on the right path. Most importantly, to dig our way out of a huge recession and build an economy that makes America more competitive and our middle class more secure. Some are frustrated that the change we want hasn't come fast enough for many Americans. That we all understand.
Even so, we will continue to work each day on the promises and commitments that the President made traveling all over this country for two years and produce the change we know is possible.
In November, America will get to choose between going back to the failed policies that got us into this mess, or moving forward with the policies that are leading us out.
So we should all, me included, stop fighting each other and arguing about our differences on certain policies, and instead work together to make sure everyone knows what is at stake because we've come too far to turn back now.
Robert Gibbs concedes attack on left was "inartful"
I was really pissed when I read his comments this morning. As one of the left who has worked hard to try to create coalitions here, and believes it is necessary, Gibbs' stupid statements enraged me.
But I agree with slinkerwink and Mr. Gibbs on this:
So we should all, me included, stop fighting each other and arguing about our differences on certain policies, and instead work together to make sure everyone knows what is at stake because we've come too far to turn back now
Robert Gibbs concedes attack on left was "inartful"
Also, let me offer something slightly controversial here. Don't let Gibbs' comments turn you away from getting out the vote in November, or your desire to go out and vote. Yes, I know his remarks may de-motivate people from doing so, but here is why you should still get out and vote and ask others to vote as well in supporting candidates of your choice.
Since much of those in the Administration are from the Clinton administration, they are comfortable in not needing the left, and to working with Republicans to pass bipartisan legislation. If we want to stay relevant, and to prevent the Administration and their supporters from taking a hard-right turn after November to appease Republicans and so-called moderates, we should make sure that who we support are still in the House and Senate come November.
slinkerwink: Why Gibbs Is Wrong To Blast The Left
Look, this adminstration is full of corporate Democrats who seem to despise the left. We still have to ally to defeat Republicans. We do it not for corporatist assholes, but for ourselves and working people.
Update I: From Steve Benen at Washington Monthly:
The White House line on criticism from the left need not be difficult. Indeed, President Obama made it just last month in a video message to Netroots Nation: "What I'm asking you is to keep making your voices heard. To keep holding me accountable. To keep up the fight. Change is hard, but if we've learned anything these past 18 months, it's that change is possible.... Let's finish what we've started." Gibbs' published remarks contradicted this message in a deeply unhelpful way.
In the larger sense, something happens when the pressure's on and the winds are moving in the other direction: some people start to lose their cool. A level head would tell Gibbs not to criticize ostensible allies on the left, even if some of the criticism is justifiable. He thinks condemnations of the White House from the left are unhelpful -- and many of them are -- but it's no better when he relies on a caricature to suggest the "professional left" wants to "eliminate the Pentagon."
If I had to guess -- and admittedly, this is only a guess -- Gibbs' remarks probably weren't part of a coordinated triangulation strategy, but rather, a moment when his emotions got the better of him. That happens sometimes; we're human.
But for the White House, it would be wise to let this be a low point for intra-party tensions, and for it to be followed by a concerted effort to put things right. The left wants to fight the Republicans undermining the national agenda; the left wants to support an ambitious Democratic agenda; and the left wants to keep a Democratic majority on Capitol Hill.