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No advisor has spent more time at Mr. Obama's side than Mr. Gibbs.
excerpt from a recent article in The New York Times
Robert Gibbs, left, graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in political science from NC State in 1992. (Photo © Getty Images. All rights reserved.)
By Matt Shipman, News Services
What do you do with a degree in political science? If you're NC State University alumnus Robert Gibbs, you become the White House press secretary – one of the most high-profile appointments to the incoming Obama administration.
Gibbs graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in political science from NC State in 1992, and is now effectively the face of the Obama administration to the national media. As press secretary, Gibbs will be responsible for helping to craft the Obama administration's message on policy issues, announcing news from the administration to the public and fielding questions from reporters on all issues related to foreign and domestic policy.
Known to the press corps in Washington as an avid sports fan, it should come as no surprise that Gibbs was an athlete during his time at NC State. Gibbs played goalie for the Wolfpack men's soccer team from 1990 through 1992. In an interview with the McClatchy News Service, soccer coach George Tarantini said Gibbs stood out as a college student with a keen interest in politics.
"There's no question about his passion, his desire to work on political issues," Tarantini said.
Gibbs has roots in North Carolina politics as well, having served as press secretary for U.S. Representative Bob Etheridge. Etheridge, a Sampson County native, represents the 2nd District of North Carolina.
Gibbs must have been paying attention in his political science classes at NC State, because The New York Times notes in a recent article that Gibbs "has advised Mr. Obama on politics, strategy and messaging, and is often the last person to speak to him before he takes the stage."
Gibbs has worked with President-elect Obama since 2004, serving as an advisor during Obama's first two years in the Senate and during his run to the presidency. The New York Times article adds that, since 2004, "no advisor has spent more time at Mr. Obama's side than Mr. Gibbs."
