White House Interviews at Least Five Candidates for Press Secretary

Politico reports that “the search for a new White House press secretary is moving more rapidly than anticipated – with at least four internal candidates and one from outside already interviewed by President Obama adviser David Plouffe and his new chief of staff, William Daley, according to people close to the situation.

“Those interviewed include deputy press secretaries Bill Burton and Josh Earnest, deputy communications director Jennifer Psaki, Vice President Biden spokesman Jay Carney and Karen Finney, a former Democratic National Committee spokeswoman who is a frequent Democratic surrogate on the cable shows and a paid contributor at MSNBC.

“Carney, in particular, impressed in closed-door discussions, according to a Democrat who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

“Obama’s aides have not ruled out interviewing other candidates, sources said – and have interviewed at least one other in secret.

“But it’s now clear the search is a top priority for Daley and Plouffe, who could announce a successor to outgoing press secretary Robert Gibbs before the end of the month. Gibbs is expected to leave sometime in February, staying around a week or so to tutor his replacement.

“Most outside observers have portrayed the choice as between a Gibbs-type spokesman – a wired insider who could speak authoritatively on anything – or a Tony Snow type, modeled on the smooth, affable but sometimes out-of-the-loop former Fox personality who took the podium during George W. Bush’s second term.

“But inside the West Wing, officials are looking for a third type of press secretary, a fresh-faced newcomer who will focus less on politics — leaving that to the political operatives in Obama’s Chicago campaign headquarters — and more on the mechanics of government, putting a competent professional face on an administration trying to transcend the partisan fray.

“Stephanie Cutter, a special assistant to the president, has consistently told Obama’s aides that she’s not interested in the job, even though many top staffers in the West Wing are still holding out hope that she’ll change her mind.

“Jennifer Palmieri, a senior vice president at the progressive Center for American Progress, another top-tier communications specialist, has also taken herself out of the running, CNN’s Ed Henry reports – after spying Palmieri returning from a lunch in the West Wing yesterday.” (Politico)