Goodbye, Gibbs: Obama’s Press Secretary Announces He’s Stepping Down

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1||January 5, 2011: White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs announces that he’ll step down from his post in February, ending his run as the President’s official spokesman. Gibbs has served alongside Obama since April 2004 — when he worked on the virtually unknown Democrat’s bid for the United States Senate — and says he plans to remain a close adviser to the President despite his departure from the White House.

Here, Gibbs is pictured at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner in May 2010.||Ron Sachs-CNP-PHOTOlink.net/Newscom&&

2||Gibbs and the president’s personal secretary, Katie Johnson, at an Oval Office meeting in May 2009.||Official White House Photo by Pete Souza&&

3||Gibbs is the latest member of Obama’s administration to step down. Here, he’s pictured with President Obama, former Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag, and Obama’s former Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.||Official White House Photo by Pete Souza&&

4||Following a town hall meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina, President Obama is presented with a picture of a young Robert Gibbs, who played soccer for North Carolina State.||Official White House Photo by Pete Souza&&

5||Gibbs concluded his March 12, 2010 briefing by removing a Canadian hockey jersey to reveal an American team jersey. He’d begun the day wearing the Canadian colors after losing a bet with his Canadian counterpart over an Olympic hockey game.|| Olivier Douliery/ABACAUSA.COM/Newscom&&

6||Gibbs, not fighting Luke Skywalker, but in costume for Halloween at the White House.||Newscom/UPI/Kristoffer Tripplaar&&

7||Gibbs, again dressed as Darth Vader, alongside his son Ethan, who dressed as Boba Fett.||Kristoffer Tripplaar/ABACAUSA.COM/Newscom&&

8||Gibbs with President Obama at the Radio and Television Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington in June 2009.||WASHINGTON POOL/SIPA/Newscom&&

9||President Obama speaks to Gibbs and other members of his staff at a NATO summit in Lisbon in November 2010.||Official White House Photo by Pete Souza&&

10||Gibbs and President Obama watch First Lady Michelle Obama break ground on the White House garden.||Official White House Photo by Pete Souza&&

11||Gibbs and other members of Obama’s staff planning a visit to Baghdad in April 2009.||Official White House Photo by Pete Souza&&

12||Gibbs with President Obama after a town hall meeting in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, in May 2009.||Official White House Photo by Pete Souza&&

13||President Obama, Gibbs, and Rahm Emanuel, following a June 2009 meeting with South Korean Presidnet Lee Myung-bak.||Official White House Photo by Pete Souza&&

14||Gibbs and President Obama, with Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), at a Washington Nationals game in April 2010.|| KEVIN DIETSCH/UPI/Newscom&&

15||Gibbs stands with President Obama as he warms up before throwing out the first pitch at the 2010 MLB All Star Game.||Official White House Photo by Pete Souza&&

16||Gibbs sits in the dunk tank at the Congressional Luau in June 2009.||Official White House Photo by Pete Souza&&

17||President Obama and Gibbs laugh with aide Reggie Love prior to a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reception in October 2009.||Official White House Photo by Pete Souza&&

18||Gibbs walks with President Obama, Senior Adviser David Axelrod, and aide Reggie Love after Obama taped an appearance on The Daily Show.||Official White House Photo by Pete Souza&&

19||Gibbs and President Obama with members of his staff in November 2009.||Official White House photo by Pete Souza&&

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