White House objects to 'rant' on its housing plan

BEN FELLER AP 02/20/2009 20:01

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs gestures during his daily press briefing in the White House Pressroom at the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Friday dismissed a cable television reporter's criticism of President Barack Obama's housing bailout plan as the ranting of an individual who "doesn't know what he's talking about."

In a report on CNBC on Thursday, Rick Santelli animatedly accused the Obama administration of "promoting bad behavior" with its $75 billion lifeline to millions of Americans on the brink of foreclosure.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs poked fun at Santelli by inviting him to come to the White House to read the details of Obama's plan. "I'd be happy to buy him a cup of coffee," Gibbs said. In a nod to Santelli's caffeinated style, Gibbs then wryly added: "Decaf."

Santelli took the critique in stride, saying Gibbs had hardly offered tough words.

"I think this is terrific that this has been opened up to national debate," Santelli said in an MSNBC interview shortly after Gibbs' daily briefing wrapped up. "I think it's wonderful he invited to me to the White House. I'm really not big on decaf, though. I think I'd prefer tea."

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