Thursday, January 22, 2009 4:20 PM

Gibbs Keeps Cool In First White House Briefing

By DAVID HERBERT

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs held his first White House briefing this afternoon, taking pointed questions on a range of issues, from President Obama's second oath of office and the executive pay freeze to Iran and the impending closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison.

The biggest news out of Gibbs' debut presser -- which The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder graded a B+ -- is that President Obama will receive morning economic briefings, much like the daily intelligence briefings he already receives. Those daily reports will produced by his economic team, led by National Economic Council Director Larry Summers. Gibbs also explained earlier reports that the president will be able to keep his beloved BlackBerry, though his e-mails will likely be subject to the Presidential Records Act.

This was also the White House press corps' first chance to probe Gibbs for weaknesses, and they took shots where they could. Chuck Todd, NBC's chief White House correspondent, pressed Gibbs on why no outside photographers were allowed to attend Wednesday's second oath of office and whether the president would be re-signing yesterday's executive orders (he will not). Another reporter asked if Obama will lead by example by taking a pay cut (Gibbs will ask).

Gibbs also made his first official gaffe as press secretary. White House Counsel Greg Craig had earlier given a background press conference on Obama's decision to shutter Guantanamo Bay prison, information that was to be attributed only to "a senior administration official." But, as was pointed out in the presser, Gibbs twice referred to that official as "Greg," all but identifying him as the source.

The flub, the New York Times' Jeff Zeleny argued, "raises a question: Does an administration that has pledged to be the most open and transparent one ever really need to have routine briefings be on background, by an official who can't be named?"

Amy Harder contributed to this report.