President Obama is engaging with the people on the ground affected by the BP underwater oil gusher to figure out whose “Ass to Kick”. Robert Gibbs, White House Press Secretary explains the asses the President is kicking are some in the government and at British Petroleum. The oil spill in the Gulf Coast is the worst environmental disaster in United States history. The impact is anticipated to be far reaching, with worsening affects on the environment and the economy lasting years and maybe decades. President Obama hosts daily meetings on efforts to plug the hole five thousand feet under water. The daily assessments of efforts to end the oil gusher has not lead the President to pick up the phone and call BP head Tony Hayward. Gibbs at the daily briefing conveyed it is not that simple for the two men to communicate on the disaster, “That’s just, as you understand the corporate governance structure, again, the CEO plays a role but the way their board is devised, the chairman of the board and the board okay what happens by the CEO.”
When asked if there were regrets for the President’s “ass kicking language” Gibbs said “no.“
Q It was striking earlier in this briefing that the reporters here, always known for their decorum, were not comfortable using the same word the President used. Any second thoughts on his choice of language? And is that appropriate language for a President?
MR. GIBBS: I just want the transcript to reflect that Ed was a little nervous about this. Jake, not so much. (Laughter.) Just so that the — no, I’ve not heard any regrets about the language.
Q Any complaints on the complaint line?
MR. GIBBS: I missed my hour, so I don’t — (laughter.) I thought that’s what was I doing here. (Laughter.)