TheGrio’s 100: Bill Burton, crafting Obama’s media message
TheGrio's 100 - Burton will be supporting the new White House Press Secretary with the same press room prowess he's brought to the briefing room since 2009...
As White House Deputy Press Secretary, this native New Yorker crafts the Obama administration’s media message, and has often stood in for former press secretary Robert Gibbs at press briefings. Only 33-years-old, Burton has already worked on three presidential campaigns, on Capitol Hill and for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Bill Burton is making history … by helping decide how President Obama’s beliefs and decisions are conveyed in the media, directly answering to members of the press corps on behalf of the administration. Along the way, this native New Yorker also gained popularity with the White House press corps for his sense of humor and low-key sensibility. Burton joined the Obama White House as deputy press secretary after helping secure a win for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign as national press secretary in 2008.
What’s next for Bill?
As Robert Gibbs’ unofficial role as a political adviser to President Obama became official in January, new press secretary Jay Carney, who will move from Vice President Biden’s office to the press room. Burton will be supporting the new secretary with the same press room prowess he’s brought to the briefing room since 2009.
In his own words …
In response to a journalist writing a profile about Burton, the modest deputy press secretary quipped, “Come on. Are you that bored?”
A little-known fact …
Burton is the first African-American to hold a senior-level position in the White House’s press office. Like President Obama, Burton is the son of a black father and white mother.
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