Washington: US President Barack Obama`s
press secretary Robert Gibbs said on Wednesday he will step down next
month and boost his boss`s 2012 re-election bid from outside
the White House.
Gibbs, 39, who is considered very close to Obama since
his pre-election days and said to be one of the most
influential individuals in the current Administration, would
leave the White House sometime in February, after the US
President delivers his annual State of the Union Address.
No dates of the State of the Union Address has been
announced yet, but is likely to be held in the last week of
January or the first week of February.
In the Washington`s political circles, speculation was
ripe about Gibbs departing the White House.
The Press Secretary confirmed the news today morning,
saying that he would be working as a consultant to the
President outside of the White House.
"It is true," Gibbs said in response to an email this
morning, CBS News said.
The departure of Gibbs comes as Obama contemplates a
reshuffle to freshen his administration and as his reelection
campaign machinery begins to stir.
No replacement has been named yet, while a few names
have immediately cropped up including his two deputies Bill
Burton, Josh Earnest, besides Jay Carney, spokesman of the US
Vice President, Joe Biden.
Obama said Gibbs will continue to play an important
role in his team even after his departure.
