Help for Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

President Obama's misguided visit to the White House press room Thursday evening reinforced to many of us just how protected Obama has been from the simple realities of working with the press. "Ahh, see,"  he said, "I came down here to visit. See this is what happens.  I can't end up visiting with you guys and shaking hands if I'm going to get grilled every time I come down here." EVERY time I come down here. Well, I guess that ends the party.  

Even the writers and producers of The West Wing knew better than to let the President go slumming in the press corps bull pen... 

My favorite undermining quote of the day:  Obama said he watched his trusted press secretary, Gibbs during his first briefing "in anticipation of some flop sweat.... I just want to thank you for not completely ripping up Gibbs," Obama said. "I'm very proud of him today." Journalists, in my experience, don't like to be thanked for taking it easy on any spokesperson, never mind the White House press secretary.  Their editors usually get a little fussy about such things.

Let me know what you think. Join the conversation.