CBS' Chip Reid was trying to get some straight answers from Robert Gibbs about the revelations that top Democrat donors have received perks and special access to the White House.
Gibbs wasn't very cooperative. He seemed to be troubled that Reid dared to challenge him.
Reid was acting like he worked for FOX News.
Video.
Transcript
CHIP REID: The RNC is calling for the White House to release the names of donors who have gotten special access to White House advisors and perks like the bowling alley. Will you release those names?
ROBERT GIBBS: Every name of every person that comes to this White House will be released.
REID: In the past, too?
GIBBS: I think there soon will be some look-back list that will be released. But again, Chip, this -- this is something, again, that for the first time in any administration at any point in our history, we've undertaken releasing publicly those names. I would remind -- let me just also -- the Republican National Committee -- there's two political parties, two major political parties in this country. One party doesn't accept contributions from registered federal lobbyists. That same party doesn't accept contributions from political action committees. It's not the committee with which you just asked me the question on.
REID: Are you saying the White House will release the names of any donors who come in, and then, say did they meet with particular White House advisors as -- in exchange for those contributions?
GIBBS: Through an agreement that we announced in August, the names of people that come to the White House will be released, and any contributor's name --
REID: But will we know what they did --
GIBBS: -- is released as per the forms on the FEC.
REID: Will it simply be a name on a list, or will we know that they came here to meet with a senior White House official in exchange for a contribution?
GIBBS: Chip, as we did this briefing in August, I'll remind you that the WAVES records will denote who that person is, when they came, how long they were here, and who they met with -- again, a standard not met by any other previous White House.
REID: We will know if they used the White House bowling alley, for example?
GIBBS: There are only a couple of people that I know that have used the residence bowling alley.
REID: -- bowling alley also.
GIBBS: I can report to you that Ethan Gibbs, with the bumpers down, bowled a couple of games while eating some chicken fingers.
REID: Was there a quid pro quo here?
GIBBS: No, of course not.
REID: Well, the DNC documents actually say those who raise $300,000 before the 2010 midterm elections get quarterly meetings with senior members of the Obama administration.
GIBBS: I'll point you to the DNC on that.
REID: But they're with White House officials.
GIBBS: Again, I'll point you to the DNC.
REID: How can you point us to them when it's White House officials who the meetings are with? Can I have one other? Do you know if any of these donors have had a night in the Lincoln Bedroom -- reminding of an earlier controversy?
GIBBS: Not that I'm aware of.
Way to go, Chip.
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