From the Auburn Plains to the Hill in Washington, D.C., former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs spoke on behalf of the Boys & Girls Club at their annual "Champions for Kids Luncheon" Thursday, Feb. 21.
Gibbs was born in Auburn in 1971. His parents, Robert and Nancy, worked for the Auburn University libraries.
"I learned from my parents and this community the value of learning a good education and working hard," Gibbs said. "Those are the tools that helped get me to that spot in the White House."
Gibbs graduated from Auburn High School in 1989. He attended North Carolina State University to study political science.
"I learned and one of the reasons I got into communications, because in politics you can have great ideas and great solutions, but if you can't communicate what those ideas and solutions are to people then they're not any good," Gibbs said. "Communications are the most fundamental important aspect of any entity or project."
Gibbs is a celebrated politico who has served President Obama since 2004. He served as senate communications director for Obama during Obama's senatorial campaign. In 2008 he transitioned into the senior strategist for communications and message for Obama's first presidential campaign.
Gibbs served as White House Press Secretary for the 2008 term.
"The one thing that you learn, that I think everybody learns working in the White House learns, is the unexpected that really complicates your day and really complicates your life." Gibbs said. "You name it; somebody's launched a missile or there's been an oil spill. Everyday something pops up that you have to react to that wasn't necessarily on your to-do list that morning. It's what makes that place both wonderful and stressful."
He resigned in 2011 and served as senior adviser to Obama's 2012 re-election campaign.
Gibbs returned to Auburn to support and celebrate the Lee County Boys & Girls Club.
"I love being back in Auburn, old friends, old teachers. Nothing but good memories," Gibbs said.
Gibbs is still a War Eagle sportier and is "on the Gus Bus."
In 2010 Gibbs was quoted saying that if Auburn won the national championship he would roll the White House.
"That got a lot of attention when I said that," Gibbs said. "I don't think there were a lot of people that understood all that was involved. It was fun to be there for that. It was fun to go back. I left working at the White House, but I got to go back when the team came up there."
Gibbs currently works as a paid contributor for MSNBC. His first appearance was after Obama's State of the Union address last Feb. 12.
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