August 05, 2009
10:16 am Eastern
© 2009 WorldNetDaily
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says reporters can add for themselves the executive branch's spending.
In response to questions about the spending for President Obama's press office and First Lady Michelle Obama's staff, Gibbs said a calculator or abacus or something would work.
The question was raised by Les Kinsolving, WND's correspondent at the White House and one of the most senior reporters on the White House beat.
"Robert, regarding your commendable statement yesterday, and I quote…," Kinsolving started.
"Which one?" responded Gibbs.
"'We're already looking at ways to cut wasteful spending,'" Kinsolving said.
"First, can you name any other president in history who had in the old and new media offices 66 staffers who were paid $4 million a year, as reported by Accuracy In Media?"
"I don't know what list you're talking about, Lester," Gibbs said.
"Well, 66," started Kinsolving.
"I know that there are hardworking members that respond to questions throughout the political spectrum each and every day in a quest for information that provide your listeners with only the most accurate information possible, including maintaining a website that millions of Americans go to, to get information on from things like recovery dollars to H1N1," Gibbs said.
"And since – Canada's Free Press reports the first lady's staff of 21 costs the taxpayers $1,256,000 a year. Has there ever before been such a first lady expense, to your knowledge?" Kinsolving pressed.
"Lester, I only play a reporter on TV. I'm sure that WorldNetDaily has afforded you either a calculator or some sort of abacus that could figure out the same information you're asking me," Gibbs said.
WND just reported the first lady of the United States is not elected, has no constitutional duties and receives no salary, but that doesn't mean the position is without its privileges – including a staff of 22 White House employees who make a combined nearly $1.5 million per year.
The Queens court is fairly substantial. No?
10:16 am Eastern
© 2009 WorldNetDaily
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says reporters can add for themselves the executive branch's spending.
In response to questions about the spending for President Obama's press office and First Lady Michelle Obama's staff, Gibbs said a calculator or abacus or something would work.
The question was raised by Les Kinsolving, WND's correspondent at the White House and one of the most senior reporters on the White House beat.
"Robert, regarding your commendable statement yesterday, and I quote…," Kinsolving started.
"Which one?" responded Gibbs.
"'We're already looking at ways to cut wasteful spending,'" Kinsolving said.
"First, can you name any other president in history who had in the old and new media offices 66 staffers who were paid $4 million a year, as reported by Accuracy In Media?"
"I don't know what list you're talking about, Lester," Gibbs said.
"Well, 66," started Kinsolving.
"I know that there are hardworking members that respond to questions throughout the political spectrum each and every day in a quest for information that provide your listeners with only the most accurate information possible, including maintaining a website that millions of Americans go to, to get information on from things like recovery dollars to H1N1," Gibbs said.
"And since – Canada's Free Press reports the first lady's staff of 21 costs the taxpayers $1,256,000 a year. Has there ever before been such a first lady expense, to your knowledge?" Kinsolving pressed.
"Lester, I only play a reporter on TV. I'm sure that WorldNetDaily has afforded you either a calculator or some sort of abacus that could figure out the same information you're asking me," Gibbs said.
WND just reported the first lady of the United States is not elected, has no constitutional duties and receives no salary, but that doesn't mean the position is without its privileges – including a staff of 22 White House employees who make a combined nearly $1.5 million per year.
The Queens court is fairly substantial. No?
