Chief White House spokesman said 'there's no doubt' Republicans could gain control in November elections.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, left, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, right.White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs' recent remark that Democrats could lose control of the House in November's elections is not sitting well with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
On NBC's Meet The Press last Sunday, Gibbs said, "I think there's no doubt there are enough seats in play that could cause Republicans to gain control. There's no doubt about that."
Now, several media outlets are reporting from Democratic sources that Pelosi was fuming over the remarks in a closed-door caucus meeting on Tuesday night, calling them 'politically inept' and damaging to Democrats' cause.
According to Politico.com, Pelosi "grilled the top White House aide in attendance, senior legislative affairs staffer Dan Turton, about the impact of Gibbs' comments."
"How could (Gibbs) know what is going on in our districts? Some may weight his words more than others. We have made our disagreement known to the White House," Pelosi is quoted as saying during the meeting.
New York magazine quotes another Democratic source, "It was bad...She was like: ‘I don’t appreciate it. I don’t know who this guy (Gibbs) is. I’ve never met him before. And he’s saying that we’re going to lose the House.’”
Meanwhile, Gibbs is doing some backpedaling this week, telling reporters on Tuesday, "I think we'll retain the House. I was asked if there were enough seats in play, and I think there are."
With Democrats currently holding a 255-178 edge in the House, Republicans need 39 seats to win back the majority in November.
» Politico.com: Pelosi vents about Gibbs
» Fox News: Pelosi, White House Feud Over Gibbs' House Prediction
» CNN: 'I think we'll retain the House,' Gibbs says
» Washington Post: Midterm madness: Spokesman confirms obvious
» New York magazine: Nancy Pelosi Has No Idea Who This ‘Robert Gibbs’ Fellow Is