White House spokesman busts cell phone-toting reporters

May 13, 2009, 23:11 GMT

Washington - It's not unusual for the White House spokesman to spar with the press corps on any number of issues, but Robert Gibbs ensured Wednesday that he was the clear victor when it came to cell phone disturbances during his daily briefing.

Gibbs was responding to queries about President Barack Obama's take on releasing prisoner abuse photos when he, slightly annoyed, quickly changed course after a cell phone belonging to a reporter sitting several rows back started ringing.

'Give me the phone,' Gibbs said as he walked away from the podium with his hand out, much like a teacher busting a student passing a secret note.

The reporter obliged, prompting laughter and some applause among the dozens of reporters and White House aides in the briefing room. Gibbs, who was mostly joking, snatched the phone, walked toward the exit and tossed it out of the room.

'Somebody caught it. Don't worry,' said the jovial Gibbs, who went on to explain his executive authority to police cell phone violations.

'I made the determination that the illumination of the sound was distracting to the briefing as the press secretary to the president of the United States,' he said.

But apparently that wasn't enough to scare the cell phones. Seconds later, another went off - this time in the front row.

'You, too? Do you want to do this, too?' Gibbs said, again stepping forward with his hand out. 'Here, come on.'

This reporter was less compliant, telling the individual who called that 'Gibbs wants to take my phone, but I don't think it's a good idea,' before hurrying out of the room, phone firmly in hand.

Never short of words, Gibbs summed up the event. 'There's cotton candy down the street. It's a circus.'