Gibbs Defends National Mall Spending: Will Create Jobs

Amanda Carpenter | January 27, 2009 4:59 PM

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked to justify the $200 million included in the economic stimulus bill to revamp the National Mall.

He said, with a straight face, it would create jobs.

"Let's talk about the Mall for second," Gibbs said. "When we met on the first day of our presidency we were on the Mall, right? 1.8 million people stood on the Mall which happens to be the most visited national park we have, right? I think you can make a very credible case, and our economic team has, that reconditioning the National Mall will create jobs, probably though spending in small businesses."

How exactly does that make us more competitive with China, Mr. Gibbs?? Does a government lawnscaping program make us a better country, Sir? Those are the follow-up questions I would have asked. But, I wasn't there for the presser.

Roll the tape: