Josh Earnest Inks Deal With NBC/MSNBC As Political Analyst

Josh Earnest

Former White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest has inked a deal to join NBC and MSNBC as a political analyst.

Earnest spent 10 years with President Obama in several roles concluding with 3 years as Press Secretary from 2014-2017.

He began his new job this morning on NBC's TODAY talking about the failure of President Trump and House Republicans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

It's common for former Press Secretaries to move into analyst positions on networks.

Jay Carney and Robert Gibbs, who both worked for Obama, signed on with CNN and MSNBC, respectively, after their time in the White House.

Ari Fleischer, Press Secretary for President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2003, joined CNN as a contributor.

White House On Melania Speech Debacle: "The Country's Got A Lot Of Common Ground"

White House spokesman Josh Earnest was asked about the Melania Trump speech debacle at today's White House press briefing and he had this to say:

“Obviously in 2008, Mrs. Obama spoke movingly in her own words about her life story, her values,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters. “I’m confident that in the future, aspiring first ladies or potential first husbands would draw on the same kinds of sentiments to advocate for their spouse.”

He added that the fact that Melania Trump received "such a strong review of her speech based on reflection of the same kinds of values that were included in Mrs. Obama's speech ... is an indication that the country's got a lot of common ground, even in spite of the political divisions that are on display at the convention."

Classy way to handle it.

White House Spokesman Enjoys "Irony" Of Donald Trump/Ted Cruz "Birther" Kerfuffle

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest was asked about the current Donald Trump/Ted Cruz kerfuffle about Cruz's "eligibility" to be elected president given he was born in Canada.

For the record - yes, Sen. Cruz is a natural-born American since his mother was an American.

Earnest gets a bit of a smile here as he comments on the possible irony of the situation given the years of ridiculous questions about President Obama's birth certificate.

Says Earnest, “It would be quite ironic if after 7 or 8 years of drama around the president’s birth certificate if Republican primary voters were to choose Senator Cruz as their nominee. Somebody who actually wasn’t born in the United States and only 15 months ago renounced his Canadian citizenship.”

On another note - Mr. Earnest is quite the good looking guy, no?  :)

White House Comments On Anti-Gay "License To Discriminate" Law In Indiana

White House press secretary Josh Earnest addressed the recent anti-gay "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" in Indiana to reporters today.

Via MetroWeekly:

"I have seen that there are a number of private businesses and nonprofit organizations that have said that the signing of this law prompts them to reconsider doing business in the state of Indiana,” Earnest said. “All those business and some of those who are considering having conventions in Indiana have raised concerns about whether all of their employees can count on being treated fairly in Indiana.

“I think that is a testament to the kind of reaction I think a lot of people all across the country had, which is that the signing of the bill doesn’t seem like it’s a step in the direction of equality and justice and liberty for all Americans. Again, that’s not just the view of the administration, I know that’s the view of the Republican mayor of Indianapolis and a whole host of nonprofit and private sector companies who have legitimate concerns about the impact of this legislation.”