Obama Insider Visits Schenectady

By Dave Lucas

Schenectady, NY – Former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs visited the Capital Region last night - Gibbs stepped down earlier this year to serve as an outside adviser to Barack Obama's re-election campaign. His appearance last night in Schenectady was just his third speaking engagement since leaving the White House, bringing his talk, "Inside Washington: What's Next" to Union College. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas was there and files this report.

The 28th White House press secretary spoke at Memorial Chapel marking his second visit to the area in 5 months - he was here in January when President Obama visited GE. Prior to his speech, Gibbs told a media gathering that Obama has a full plate of issues to tackle before the 2012 election, including rising prices of gas, food and clothing.

Gibbs feels the election will be close because of the economy. He briefly touched on foreign policy and world issues.

Gibbs doesn't think much of Donald Trump as a Republican candidate for the oval office.

Gibb speculates former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has best chance of becoming the GOP nominee, but sees former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as a stronger contender.

Union College freshman Dave Masterson was in the audience at Memorial Chapel - he liked what Gibbs had to say and was impressed by Gibbs "down to earth" approach.

According to the latest USA Today/Gallup Poll, Forty-five percent of Americans say they would definitely not vote for Mitt Romney, while 46 percent said they would definitely not vote for Mike Huckabee. Forty-six percent of Americans say they definitely won't vote for President Obama in 2012... Fifty percent of Americans, including 31% of Republicans, say Donald Trump would make a "poor" or "terrible" president.

Robert Gibbs adds a warning: he cautions the Hispanic Vote will be critical - he believes if Republicans don't get the Hispanic Vote in 2012 - they can't win the Presidency.