Quote of the Day (December 9, 2010)

*
Kimberly Schwandt at Fox News Blogs:

"The White House apparently follows Sarah Palin's writings and opinions on Twitter. Wednesday at a White House briefing, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs responded to a question about reaction to the Bush-era tax cut deal. He was asked if it seems off to them that Democrats are mad, but Republicans aren't and if that signals an imbalance to them that it wasn't exactly a compromise. 'Well, I don't know if you guys get Sarah Palin's tweet, but it does not appear she likes this deal. I don't know where [Senator] Jim DeMint is at the current moment but it does not appear that he likes said deal,' Gibbs said."

- JP

White House: Sarah Palin a 'formidable' political force

*
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, in what may be a new White House strategy to build up Sarah Palin for future shots at the GOP, told reporters Friday that she might be "the most formidable force in the Republican Party."

Gibbs acknowledged that Gov. Palin, who was in Iowa to speak at the state Republican Party's annual Ronald Reagan Dinner, seems to be “dipping that toe in" the waters for 2012:

Gibbs conceded Palin has the ability to draw huge crowds and energize the Republican base.

"She can rally the very conservative elements of the Republican base," Gibbs said.

Uncharacteristically, the often combative press secretary passed on the opportunity to take a shot at Palin, who has been a constant critic of Obama.

"I have no doubt that she is a formidable force in the Republican Party and very well could be the most formidable force in the Republican Party," Gibbs said.

Not long after Gibbs talked about Palin, the White House announced that President Obama will be making his own pilgrimage to Des Moines later this month for a town hall event.

- JP

Sarah Palin to 'Beltway Bob' Gibbs: Dispute this!

*
The Thrilla from Wasilla decks Beltway Bob in round three. One can almost hear the voice of the late Howard Cosell, "Down goes Gibbs! Down goes Gibbs!"

On CBS' "Face the Nation," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked by host Bob Schieffer to comment on Sarah Palin's statement on "Fox News Sunday" that the Obama administration has a cozy relationship with Big Oil:

"Sarah Palin was involved in that election, but I don't think, apparently, was paying a whole lot of attention," Gibbs said. "I'm almost sure that the oil companies don't consider the Obama administration a huge ally - we proposed a windfall profits tax when they jacked their oil prices up to charge for gasoline." "My suggestion to Sarah Palin would be to get slightly more informed as to what's going on in and around oil drilling in this country," he added.

Gov. Palin wasted no time in firing back. She tweeted:

"Mr. Gibbs, BP gave over $3.5mill to federal candidates over the past 20 years, with with the largest amount going to Obama"

Moments later, she sent another tweet:

"During his time in the Senate and while running for president, Obama received a total of $77,051 from the oil giant and is the top recipient of BP PAC and individual money over the past 20 years... Dispute these facts."

Both tweets contained embedded links to a Politico article which cited data from the Center for Responsible Politics:

BP and its employees have given more than $3.5 million to federal candidates over the past 20 years, with the largest chunk of their money going to Obama, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Donations come from a mix of employees and the company’s political action committees — $2.89 million flowed to campaigns from BP-related PACs and about $638,000 came from individuals.

On top of that, the oil giant has spent millions each year on lobbying — including $15.9 million last year alone — as it has tried to influence energy policy.

During his time in the Senate and while running for president, Obama received a total of $77,051 from the oil giant and is the top recipient of BP PAC and individual money over the past 20 years, according to financial disclosure records.

Boom! The Palin Blackberry leaves a mark. Gov. Palin is so living inside the White House that they should be charging her rent.

- JP