By Kevin McCauley
Robert Gibbs is leaving the White House press secretary job after President Obama makes his State of the Union speech on Jan. 25.
Gibbs is setting up a consulting business and will serve as a pundit to support the administration’s strategy and re-election.
Gibbs has been working for Obama since his successful 2004 run for an Illinois Senate seat. He previously was press secretary for Sen. John Kerry’s ’04 presidential bid and served as comms. director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Obama told the New York Times that Gibbs is one of his closest advisors will continue in that capacity for as long as he is in the White House.
A replacement has not yet been named, although candidates suggested in media reports include Vice President Joe Biden's spokesman Jay Carney, as well as White House communications staffers Bill Burton and Josh Earnest.
[Update: Politico adds a few names to the list.]
|