And now, from the University of Chicago Institute of Politics and CNN, the Axviles with your

host, David Axelrod.

It is no hyperbole to say that my friend Robert Gibbs had as much to do with the success

of Barack Obama as anyone.

He came into the Obama for Senate campaign in 2004 and became a constant presence at

Senator Obama's side and President Obama's side for the first two years of his administration.

Robert is a seasoned campaign warrior but also a thoughtful observer of politics and

media as a former White House press secretary.

We sat down the other day to talk about his life and politics, his journey, and the

state of politics and media today.

Robert Gibbs, you and I are good friends.

We've known each other for a long time.

But I called you here to solve a great mystery and that is, had as a determinately white

guy from Alabama end up being like a liberal Democrat.

It's a mystery I always wanted to unravel.

Two great parents.

Tell me about growing up in Alabama.

I grew up in a small college town in Auburn, Alabama.

I think folks worked at the university.

Both worked at the university library.

I interestingly for much of my childhood hated to read but that's a whole other podcast.

We're here to solve these problems.

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