Obama Says Goodbye To White House Press Secretary

Carney said he's made no decision yet on his next step but plans to take the summer off before starting a new job. He ruled out rumors that he would serve as ambassador to Russia, after having covered the collapse of the Soviet Empire for Time He said his wife, ABC News correspondent Claire Shipman , and two children wouldn't welcome such a move. A key component of a White House press secretary's job is to regularly joust with reporters in an intense question-and-answer session. Obama said he is putting the "flak jacket" for dealing with the press on another friend in Earnest, who has worked with Obama since he was his communications director for the Iowa caucuses in the 2008 campaign. Carney is a former reporter for "Time Magazine."

Obama said it was "bittersweet" to see his friend Carney step down and announced that principal deputy press secretary Josh Earnest will take over the job. Carney said the transition will take place around mid-June, but Earnest will take his place traveling next week on Obama's trip to Europe. President Obama made the surprise announcement in the White House briefing room. Carney brought rare but practical experience to the job as a former reporter who once covered the White House for Time magazine He left journalism to become communications director for Vice President Joe Biden and subsequently moved over to serve as Obama's press secretary in 2011. The President called him a great press secretary and a good friend.

Carney said the transition will be complete around mid-June, but that Earnest will take his place traveling next week on a trip that Obama has scheduled to Europe.

Obama announced that Deputy White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest will take over for Carney. Carney, who celebrated his 49th birthday last week, expressed his appreciation for working at the White House for more than five years, even though he says being press secretary is not easy. Carney brought rare but practical experience to the job as a former reporter who once covered the White House for Time magazine. He left journalism to join the White House as communications director for Vice President Joe Biden, and subsequently moved over to serve as Obama's press secretary in 2011. The affable Earnest is well-liked within the White House press corps, and reporters applauded the announcement. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Obama Says Goodbye To White House Press Secretary 2014-05-31T04:14:00-07:00 Rating: 4.5 Diposkan Oleh: Unknown