Obama surprises press secretary by interrupting final White House briefing to express appreciation
WASHINGTON, D. C. – President Obama surprised his press secretary, Josh Earnest, Tuesday by dropping by his final press briefing in the White House pressroom, lauding Earnest as a person of integrity and intelligence.
Obama caught Earnest off guard with his appearance and with jocular remarks on his good looks and his name.
“He’s just got that all American, matinee, good-looking thing going. That’s helpful, let’s face it. A face made for television,” said Obama. “Then the guy’s name is Josh Earnest, which, if someone is speaking on your behalf, is a pretty good name to have.”
Earnest is the 30th White House press secretary, a job that involves briefing the press almost daily on the president’s activities and reactions to issues making news. He served as Obama’s press secretary for the last two years, succeeding Jay Carney.
Earnest has worked in politics since graduating from Rice University in 1997, assisting the campaign of Lee Brown for Mayor of Houston, then serving as an aide to Congressman Marion Berry and joining the first campaign of Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City. He also served as communications director for then-Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack’s 2008 presidential campaign.
“Of the folks I’ve had the great joy and pleasure of working with … on this incredible journey, this guy ranks as high as just about anybody I’ve worked with,” said Obama, who gave Earnest a bear hug. “He is not only a great press secretary but, more importantly, he is a really, really good man and I’m really, really proud of him.”