Stephanopoulos Pokes Fun at Shake-Up
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WASHINGTON — Wednesday marked George Stephanopoulos’ first White House briefing since President Clinton announced that David Gergen would be coming aboard as the Administration’s new chief spokesman.
The 32-year-old Stephanopoulos entered the press room smiling, walked up to the podium, stared out at the assembled reporters and delivered his opening line:
“So, how was your weekend?”
The remark brought a wave of laughter from the press corps, which in recent weeks has bombarded Stephanopoulos with increasingly hostile questions.
Virtually the entire White House communications staff--dressed uncharacteristically in coats and ties--crowded into the briefing room in a show of support for their boss.
Today, they meet their new leader, Gergen, for the first time--a session that has generated considerable apprehension among Stephanopoulos’ deputies.
“I’ve never met Gergen before,” said one aide, adding, with more than a hint of anxiety in his voice: “I hear he’s a nice guy.”
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