Gibbs on Sykes' Limbaugh remark

Posted: Monday, May 11, 2009 2:30 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House

From NBC's Scott Foster
Asked for the President Obama's reaction to comedian Wanda Sykes' joke at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner calling Rush Limbaugh the 20th 9/11 hijacker, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said he hasn't spoken to the president. But he added, "I think there are a lot of topics that are better left for serious reflection rather than comedy."

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Comments

I tell you, the democrats must really be intimidated by Rush's popularity since they keep trying to take him down.

The Chicago Way (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:40 PM)

The conservatives have their panties in a twist over this, wondering why there hasn't been more coverage of Sykes' wishing "death" to Limbaugh. Well it has received plenty of coverage (otherwise I would never have heard about it), but it's not exactly front-page news that someone has made a less-than-PC joke about Rush Limbaugh.

Doug in Renton, WA (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:42 PM)

lol

So let's be clear:

White men can say whatever they want . . . black women need to stay in their place.

White men can torture, non white people cannot.

White people can steal billions of dollars and get "bailed out". Non white people can still a can of Coke and be shot in the back.

I understand the White House needs to appease the jackals in the media, but clearly the joke was not about 9/11, it was about a fat, treasonous, hypocritical, lying, drug addicted, b*#*@#d.

Big difference.

Tired of double standards (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:42 PM)

Sounds like a "gotcha question". Was David Gregory there? Wanda is already old news.
Speaking of serious reflection...The campaign is over. The GOP lost (badly). The first 100 days have passed. It is time for things to settle down a bit and watch government do its job. Sure, there may be a 3:00 am crisis, but now is the time for the President, the Cabinet, the Senators, the Representatives to do business. Likewise, it is time for the Media to put away their "Gotcha questions" and do thier job as well.

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:42 PM)

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:43 PM)

Whatever you say Mr. Gibbs . . . but I STILL LOVED IT! :)

Funny how 9/11 is only sacred some times . . . the Republicans trot it out weekly as a justification for their crime of the month . . . whatever!

P.S. This is my third time trying to get the following posted . . . I think it is relevant to the topic:

(From previous post:)
"Nashville... What truth? That's he's an oxy-contin addict is public knowledge, and IMHO should have got jail time. If you have some evidence that he was involved in 9/11 please let me hear it." - Alan, NJ
===========================================
Alan . . . I will happy to provide you with that evidence . . . if you will allow me some "enhanced interrogation" time with Mr. Limbaugh . . . I'm sure we can get "the truth" out of him then, don't you agree?

P.S. Do you think it is treason to wish for the country to fail Alan?

Do you think it is treason to call for seccession Alan?

Do you think it is legal to incite violence using lies about the President "taking our guns" Alan?

Do you think it is "funny" when people imply that the President is a muslim terrorist, a communist, or a fascist Alan?

Because Rush Limbaugh sez these things every day . . . he has released more tapes against America than Al Quaida ever will . . . and THAT is the TRUTH.

I guess that's what they mean by the truth hurts.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:45 PM)

AFter the remark that braod made about Sarah Palin's daughter, I was shocked her husband didn't go after her and slap the spit out of her mouth. I'm sure the Secret Service would have stopped him, but now that the Liberals have decided to go after the kids, does this make Obama's daughters open season for people to make bad and sick jokes about?

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:45 PM)

Folks after 911 everyone was afraid.
Ed, FW, TX (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 12:38 PM)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks Ed… how right you are! Don’t even get me started on my theories about 9/11. But seems how the bumbling idiots in the previous administration decided to RULE by fear – something BIG had to happen to get the ‘sheep’ in line!

BTW: I was lucky enough to catch the shuttle lift off this afternoon… I don’t care how many times I watch it – it is still AMAZING. Just hope I’m around long enough to take one of those rides up into the wild blue yonder!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:48 PM)

Not funny at all and uncalled for. I guess she thinks because we have a black president that is card blanc to say whatever she wants with no repercussions and that is what is happening Mr. Obama has said nothing and won't.

Jane Doe, New York (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:49 PM)

The Repuke party thought it was ok to label people UNPATRIOTIC and use fear mongering. limpbag is on record for saying he wanted Obama to fail which inturn would mean that America fails. Now someone uses their mantra and they get foaming mad? They have become the party of the "NEW ORDER" not the GOP. They also have become a party of the "OLD SOUTH" white racial bigots!

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:49 PM)

I don't have a problem with her saying he might be the 20th hijacker but was too high to know it as that is exactly the type of stuff he dishes out. But I think she went too far in saying she hoped his kidneys fail.

That has no more place than the idiots screaming "kill him" during the McCain/Palin events last year.

Chris - IL (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:51 PM)

Glad to see Gibbs is talking about important things, like Wanda Snipes, rather then talking about things like the ever expanding deficit by the Obama administration.

CT Jonesboro, Texas (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:51 PM)

I tell you, the democrats must really be intimidated by Rush's popularity since they keep trying to take him down.
The Chicago Way (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:40 PM)

No just don't want to go back to the "OLD SOUTH" way of thinking----white racial bigots!

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:51 PM)

Obie laughed at that 20th hi-jacker statement about Rush.

Now it's another time to laugh at Obie.

It never ends with the Dems, does it?

Maybe instead of Tea Parties, there could be Obie Put-Down Parties.

Whatever gets you through the night.

Fortunate Son. (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:53 PM)

Maybe Gibbs can finally get back to us to explain just what was Biden talking about when he talked about the swine flu.

Arnold Ziffle, Hootersville (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:53 PM)

Anita in Birmingham, I have never heard Rush "advocate violence" or urge people to "take up arms." You obviously have never listened to him and are too preoccupied with your ill-informed name-calling and hate.

Go Rush!! (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:54 PM)

I'm sure the Secret Service would have stopped him, but now that the Liberals have decided to go after the kids, does this make Obama's daughters open season for people to make bad and sick jokes about?

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:45 PM)
______________________________________________________

Absolutely. As soon as President Obama starts parading them around and having them make presentations and push his ideals.

One of the (many) things Bill and Hillary Clinton did right was to keep a low profile for their daughter. That allowed her to grow up in a somewhat normal manner. Now that she is an adult and was campaigning for her mom, there is no problem with people taking verbal pot shots at her.

Chris - IL (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:55 PM)

Ok, so the Repubs can send out Barack the Magic Negro cds for Christmas (not cool for an elected official to engage in this type of satire) but a comedian can't do her job of being funny?

Wanda Sykes is a comedian. Comedians are supposed to push us to the edge and approach "off limits" topics. The whole point is to take risks and make us a bit uncomfortable. Perhaps if Wanda Sykes shopped her jokes in the form of a book, she could be interviewed on the View and Fox news, like Ann Coulter!

Cincinnati girl (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:55 PM)

Ever notice that if a liberal is intimidated by someone, that their fist reaction is to attack that person? Right from Obama on down to the dregs on these pages, it's the same behavior.

T. Baggs (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:56 PM)

Thank you, Ron, Indiana. Your postings a almost always thoughtful and appropriate.

A Voice from Michigan (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:56 PM)

Rush Limbaugh is getting some of his own medicine, the man deserved to be called out. I did not think Wanda went too far. And all those crying alligator tears for Rush, give us a break. Where were you guys when Rush was disrespecting Bill and Hilirary Clinton on the air on a daily basis. I am putting in my two cents worth, I hope Rush kidney fails.

Ben Purser Royal Oak. MI (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:56 PM)

The Chicago Way (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:40 PM)

Actually, while we personally hate him, the way rush is leading/dividing the GOP and making them more and more extreme, thus insuring their continued failure, we kind of like what he is doing.

It's just that it makes us sick to our stomachs to have to see or hear him!

Chris - IL (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:57 PM)

The jokes on Gibbs. The entire Obama Administration is a huge joke against the world. All with hthe head clown, Barack, trying to pretend he's important.

Chuck Les (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:57 PM)

AFter the remark that braod made about Sarah Palin's daughter, I was shocked her husband didn't go after her and slap the spit out of her mouth.
jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:45 PM)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That's the g'no'P's answer for everything isn't it Jerry? Violence & Vigilantism I will admit though... you guys never miss a beat!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:59 PM)

"...Then maybe people who can't afford to pay them off every month shouldn't be running up their debt. It's really quite simple..." Claire (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 12:55 PM)

Yes, so simple. Really those lending money shouldn't loan it to those who aren't credit worthy. They have made huge profits from taking huge 'risks' (and kept all that profit in off-shore accounts, or paid it back to their 'oh so clever' management) and now that the bottom has dropped out, they want to socailize the losses by begging the government to give 'em bailout money. Yeah, I see - it really IS just that simple.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:59 PM)

Alan . . . I will happy to provide you with that evidence . . . if you will allow me some "enhanced interrogation" time with Mr. Limbaugh . . . I'm sure we can get "the truth" out of him then, don't you agree?
----------------------------------------------------
I thought you were opposed to enhanced interrogation, Nashville Fan.

Why are liberals opposed to waterboarding, but it's okay to joke about waterboarding people liberals don't like?

Isn't it still torture?

Did you listen to Rush when he said he wanted Obama's policies to fail? Because somehow you heard he wants the country to fail.

Not everyone thinks Obama's policies are good for this country, Nashville Fan.

Arthur Spooner, Queens (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:59 PM)

Because Rush Limbaugh sez these things every day . . . he has released more tapes against America than Al Quaida ever will . . . and THAT is the TRUTH.

I guess that's what they mean by the truth hurts.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:45 PM)

===========================================
WOW. I can tell that you do not listen to Rush on a daily basis. Who is telling you that he is saying these things?

Rush_fan (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:00 PM)

The reason that we havent heard the obviously needed outrage for this end of the line comics last stab at another human being is pretty simple. The three majors (abc, cbs, and nbc) never show the obvious, if its against the left. Thanks for FOX news to bring the rest of the USA up to date.

What a horrific thing for her to say about any human being. What a horrific day her agent must be having. And thanks to her mouth, what a horrific day it must be in the Whitehouse at this moment.

Jay Cleary, Livermore, Ca (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:00 PM)

it was a joke. big deal. sheeesh. it is not even close to the ver the line hatred and ugly things that ush and the gop has leveled at mr. obama. what the gop is saying is that hey can dish it out but don't give the gop their own medicine in return. give me a break. talk aout a bunch of crybabies. rush, coulter, hannity, beck and the tea party protest said and did a lot worse. the folks in the gop are acting like a bunch of wusses. get real

give the gop some tissue and pampers (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:01 PM)

Jerry in Corpus Christi---------I don't know how old you
are, but Rush said pretty nasty things about Chelsea Clinton, when she was just a child, and Rush, according to him, reaches many more people with his radio show than Wanda Sykes. Poor GOP I hope they can be revived.
Kids should be off limits.

Cheryl Gann, Houston,Texas (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:01 PM)

Do you think it is "funny" when people imply that the President is a muslim terrorist, a communist, or a fascist Alan?
------------------------------------------------------
I bet you laughed just fine when Olbermann was calling Bush a fascist or telling him to 'shut the hell up' as he so often did.

Two Presidents, Two Sets of Standards (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:02 PM)

I am literally blown away that so many people out there are in the dark. Conservative or Liberal, we should not be telling jokes about 911, in a public forum with the President of the United States, joking about killing people or commenting that we want someone to die, because of what he or she said.

Matt T, Inidainapols (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:02 PM)

water under the bridge. everyone's too sensitive.

mine over matter (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:03 PM)

The same people offended by Wanda Sykes's comments are the same people who defended imus's "nappy headed hoes" comment, saltman's use of "Barack the Magic Negro, and the new york post's "shoot the monkey who wrote the stimulus bill" cartoon.

Double Standards Indeed!!!

Lynn (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:03 PM)

janne doe, race had nothing to do with the joke. it is small of you and your thinking to try and twist that kind of thinking into something so small. are you a racist?

white supremacist investigations, inc. (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:04 PM)

You go Nash! Well said...

There is a real disconnect between what Limbuagh spews and how the media covers it and what ANYONE else says left or right.

It is clear that Linbaugh at least WAS an addict who had his cleaning lady score for him. For all you rightys out there Oxycontin is a dangerous drug and can easily kill you via OD if you take enough. Oh, and 1) kidney failure is a side effect and 2) If you have insurance to pay for the dialysis while waiting for your transplant, it is NOT fatal

There should be NO double standards either for comedians or those who ordered torture, whatever their party affiliations.

Cheney in orange works for me!

Ed, FW, TX (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:04 PM)

Whatever - who gives a "f" about Rush Limby - the way the media talks - you think he was the GOP's pope.

Wanda can say what ever she wants - and "f" anyone that has a problem with it.

Hell, I liked to look the bastards in his "eye" and tell him to kiss my black a__. Then wish he try to do something about it.

I hate the “bish”.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:06 PM)

I tell you, the democrats must really be intimidated by Rush's popularity since they keep trying to take him down. The Chicago Way (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:40 PM)
----------------------------------------------------

Get bullied into a corner for so long, and you are bound to get smacked back...

Rush has consistently made fun of, belittled, or rallied the hateful against people of meager means. Against people that work every day, sometimes 50-60 hours while raising children. (but to some of you out there, all libs are on govt. cheese rations and food stamps...)

He's manipulated using fear and hate against those who refuse to accept mediocrity in our leadership. He has in fact created an underground civil war, and divided this country into those who want to put together the pieces as a community, and those who want to feel safe in an agressive collective.

Very similar to a common street gang. Only this gang uses the internet and chain emails. They spread misinformation as fast as they are debunked. They have no plans for the future other than "anything but what they say".

Osama bin limbaugh...I hope you realize that 400 million is blood money. I doubt you'd care.

GP NW Indiana (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:06 PM)

If that's not loving you baby! At last, someone with common sense. Why weren't you guys put off by the fact that a Grand Wizard of the Klan is on the radio airwaves spewing dissension?

Advocating violence, urging people that are certifiable for the "short bus" to take up arms. Way to go Robert, don't even entertain this bull when there are "real issues" to discuss.
Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 2:43 PM)

****************************************************

THE GRAND WIZARD IS IN YOUR PARTY THAT YOU HOLD UP ON A PEDESTAL.......ROBERT BYRD.....

IntheMiddle, TX (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:06 PM)

Wanda should have made a joke about how its a blessing that Ted Kennedy has a brain tumor and can't drive a car...it makes it much safer for women.

Heidi,Dallas,Tx (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:07 PM)

Did anyone ask Gibbs why his bosses administration is not spending any stimulus dollars in the most needy areas for the country? Or is the press corp still too enchanted from the Cheerleaders party they had for Obama the other night?

Mandy Pepperidge (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:07 PM)

Rush and his supporters don't seem to be able to take as well as he and they give. Rush, Beck, Hannity, O'Reilly (especially Rush) say hateful, awful things about democrats all day every day. Over the line many times. Yea, I think Wanda could have done without the 9/11 reference - over the line IMHO. However, Rush fans getting upset about that line is truly laughable, considering remarks he's made. You ALL, left and right, need to shut up and find something useful to do with your time.

Indie, Doylestown, PA (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:10 PM)

Both Sykes and Limbaugh are often refered to as "Entertainers". If this is what they are then, what's the big deal. Limbaugh constantly spews crap and is hardly ever taken to task about it. Let them debate each other. That might be fun.

Hoffmann (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:11 PM)

WHAT WANDA SAID WAS AS ACCURATE AS THE THINGS THEY CALLED OBAMA DURING THE CAMPAIGN. IT IS FUNNY THAT THE CONSERVATIVES CAN CALL NAMES AND NOT WANT ANYONE ELSE TO CALL THEM NAMES. THE WHITE HOUSE SHOULD STOP SHRINKING AT WHAT SOMEONE ELSE'S OPINION IS. MANY PEOPLE THINK THAT WHAT WANDA SAID WAS ACCURATE AND THAT SHE DID NOT OVERSTEP HER BOUNDS. CONSERVATIVES THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE WORLD BESIDES YOU. STICKS AND STONES WILL BREAK BONES BUT WORDS ONLY HURT THE ONES WHO HAVE OPEN SORES.

B MONDEN, NEW YORK (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:11 PM)

As my father often said; don't confuse brains and comedy. They are two very different things.

This lady thought she was being funny. She wasn't. She thought she was being edgy. She wasn't. Nuff said.

Obama or the rest of the participants in this event (Rush L. included not matter how much I don't like him) were not to blame for her remarks. Nor were all of the Democrats, Republicans and Independents of the United States. This was just a stupid remark by a not so funny comedian trying to fill up air space. Don't make it any more than that.

Dave (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:12 PM)

Too bad FR and the rest of the MSM kowtow to the likes of rushthedruggie...he represents 20 million of the most racist, homophobic and least patriotic men in America, his faithful listeners.

Not a dittohead thank god (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:13 PM)

Let's see...since it's a Democratic leftist remark against a conservative it's ok. Wonder if it had been Gov. Palin saying that about Obama if it would have been ripped apart by the Democratic Socialist propaganda media???? Of course, no one is suppose to ask questions these days, just goose step to the elitists orders...

john doe, hazelwood, mo (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:15 PM)

Wanda Sykes went go over the top with her remark about Rush Limbaugh. However, Robert Gibbs is right about spending way too much time on a remark from a comedian.

Kate,Saratoga Springs, New York (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:15 PM)

You have to laugh at how the left, which has a collective aneurism every time Ann Coulter makes an outlandish statement designed to elicit precisely that response, makes excuses when someone like Wanda Sykes makes the same kind of obnoxious statements, albeit from the left.

When liberals begin marginalizing the likes of Ms. Sykes, Michael Moore, and a host of other glitterati bomb-throwers, they will have the right to complain about Ms. Coulter and Mr. Limbaugh.

Until they are willing to do that, they really need to shut up...

Ted Nebosky, Chicago, IL (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:15 PM)

"So let's be clear:

White men can say whatever they want . . . black women need to stay in their place."

What nonsense. Let me break this down for you - anyone who goes before the President of the United States and jokes that a citizen who opposes the President is deserving of death is an idiot. Doesn't matter if it's Wanda Sykes or whatever white man haunts your nightmares. This is the US, not some banana republic where the Supreme Leader's enemies are denounced and then killed, though it appears Obama's devotees would like it to be. The fact that Obama has not publicly distanced himself from the crackpots who support him only degrades him.

JP, California (Sent Monday, May 11, 2009 3:15 PM)

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