Obama’s last surprise: Calls press secy Josh Earnest a really, really good man | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Obama’s last surprise: Calls press secy Josh Earnest a really, really good man

ByIANS, Washington
Jan 19, 2017 11:16 AM IST

Press Secretary Josh Earnest held his final White House press briefing on Tuesday at the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House.

President Barack Obama made a surprise visit to the White House daily press briefing to praise his spokesperson Josh Earnest.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest listens as President Barack Obama speaks at his final daily press briefing on Tuesday in the briefing room of the White House in Washington.(AP)
White House press secretary Josh Earnest listens as President Barack Obama speaks at his final daily press briefing on Tuesday in the briefing room of the White House in Washington.(AP)

Press Secretary Josh Earnest held his final White House press briefing on Tuesday at the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“Even though it’s my last day, you better not let up now,” Earnest joked at the start of the press conference.

“So in that spirit, let me say for the last time standing up here, let’s get started with the questions,” he added.

Shortly after, President Obama entered the room and praised his third and final press secretary.

“He’s never disappointed. He has always been the guy you wanted him to be,” Obama said, saying he had known Earnest for nearly 10 years, since he joined the Obama campaign in Iowa ahead of the 2008 presidential elections.

The president said he was initially stricken by Earnest’s “all American” good looks when they met in Iowa, and said he had a “face made for television.” But he said he has always felt Earnest to be a man of integrity.

“What struck me most in addition to his smarts and maturity and actual interest in the issues was his integrity,” Obama said pm Tuesday. “There are people you meet who, you have a pretty good inkling off the bat, are straight shooters.”

Obama added, “he is not only a great press secretary, he is a really, really good man.”

“I’ve now known this guy for ten years and I’ve watched him grow, I’ve watched him advance, I’ve watched him marry, be a father and I’ve watched him manage younger people coming up behind him.

“He has never disappointed and always been the guy you wanted him to be. He is a really, really good man and I am really, really proud of him,” he said.

Earnest participated in, by some counts, his 354th press briefing on Tuesday.

The topics ranged from the presidential transition to the involvement of Russia in the 2016 presidential election. Earnest also confirmed reports that the Obamas would be going on vacation in Palm Springs, Calif. after the inauguration of Donald Trump. He would not, however, say how long they’ll be saying, reported time.com.

The press secretary was also pressed on the future of the briefing, given statements by the incoming administration that they’d consider either moving the briefing out of the James Brady Press Briefing room or changing the way it is handled. Earnest said he had advised incoming Press Secretary Sean Spicer to engage with the White House Correspondents’ Association and added that while press access may be “uncomfortable” at times, “it’s important”.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On