Andrea Mitchell: House Democrats' Spat With Gibbs is 'Unfortunate'

July 15th, 2010 6:31 PM

MSNBC anchor Andrea Mitchell is apparently a tad disappointed that the conflict between Speaker Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Robert Gibbs festered as much as it has recently.

While talking to Politico's Jonathan Martin about yesterday's meeting at the White House between House Democrats and Obama administration officials, Mitchell lamented that the four-day uproar was "a little bit unfortunate."

"You think they didn't need a four-day story about their infighting?" Mitchell asked sounding slightly annoyed that things escalated to that level for the Democrats.

Mitchell analyzed the situation as an awkward statement that needlessly morphed into a full-blown conflict. "It just seems like Robert just answered a question on Meet the Press, and the Democrats decided to make a federal case out of it."

"But better now Andrea, in July, than October," Martin reassured her.

A transcript of the segment, which aired on July 15, at 1:25 p.m. EDT, is as follows:

ANDREA MITCHELL, MSNBC anchor: Do you think that they sort of kissed and made up with "Brother Gibbs"?

JONATHAN MARTIN, senior political reporter, Politico: Well I don't think that Robert Gibbs was actually at this meeting, but I think the consensus that you hear today from Democrats, on both sides of Pennsylvania Ave., is that they are ready to move on and try and get beyond this, and try to hang together here for these next four months.

MITCHELL: You think they didn't need a four-day story about their infighting? A little bit unfortunate. It seems like, you know, Robert just answered a question on Meet the Press, and the Democrats decided to make a federal case out of it. Anyway.

MARTIN: But better now, Andrea, in July, than October, certainly for them.

MITCHELL: Exactly.