Karine Jean-Pierre and John Kirby are the latest in a tradition of tensions.
. Their uneasy relationship reflects a host of internal and external expressions of doubt about Jean-Pierre’s lackluster performance, internal disagreements about whether to support, and legitimate confusion about the odd division of responsibilities between the two. Typical of internal White House conflicts, the personal tensions also reveal larger dynamics buffeting the troubled Biden team.in May of 2022.
What’s also true is that we have seen communicators clash in the White House in the past. Press secretary is a high-profile job, and presidents can’t succeed if they don’t have representatives who are successful in that role. In addition, the White House can be a snake pit, and rivalries can upend many a career, not to mention a presidency. Furthermore, the overlapping roles and responsibilities between the White House press secretary and communications director can often lead to conflict.
A different dynamic was at play in the Carter administration. Jody Powell served as press secretary, and Gerald Rafshoon served as the communications director. Both were in the so-called Georgia Mafia of aides who came withto Washington, and the two men had been friends since 1970. Powell was unbothered by Rafshoon taking the communications director position. Powell saw the need for a long-term communications planner, even if it seemingly took away some responsibilities from Powell.
As for Gergen, dislike of him went beyond just grumbles about his leaking. Larry Speakes, who served as acting press secretary for much of the Reagan administration, was one of many who tried to undermine him. Speakes was “acting” press secretary for so long because press secretary Jim Brady was shot in the 1981 assassination attempt against Reagan and retained the title even as he was no longer capable of serving in the role.
When Gergen joined the Clinton team, the inexperienced administration was in turmoil. There had not been a Democratic administration in 12 years, and the Clinton administration was loathe to take veterans of the failed Carter administration. As a result, the newbies floundered amid failed Cabinet nominations, unnecessary scandals, and poorly handled controversies.
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