On Robert Gibbs’ last day, drama, humor and a special guest

Robert Gibbs’ briefing at the White House on Friday, like the more than 200 before it, was infused with humor and marked by careful evasions as he stood for the final time as President Obama’s top spokesman.

And then there was the special guest.

Just moments after speaking with great seriousness in the White House’s Grand Foyer about the situation in Egypt, Obama arrived in the James Brady Press Briefing Room full of humor and fond memories of Gibbs, who has advised him since the early days of his 2004 campaign for the U.S. Senate.

The president joked that Gibbs’ departure “is not the biggest one today.”

“Robert started very early with me on this wild ride that I’ve been on,” Obama said. “You could not ask for somebody better in the foxhole with you during all the twists and turns of my candidacy and then the incredible challenges that we faced over the last two years.”

Obama recalled that when he delivered the speech that made him a household name, at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, it was Gibbs’ tie he was wearing, following a last-minute debate among advisors about what neckwear best suited the occasion. And so he presented him with that very same tie, framed along with photos of both the speech, and the two consulting in the Oval Office several years later.

“I don’t think we could have a better press secretary,” Obama said, before embracing Gibbs.

The Alabaman was a bit emotional as he stood behind the White House lectern one final time, noting it was the 250th press briefing of Obama’s administration.

“It is a tremendous honor and privilege to do this each and every day, to serve and to take part in days like today that are so momentous,” he said.

During the briefing, Gibbs was peppered with serious questions about the administration’s role in shaping the events in Egypt, but also was given thanks and appreciation for his work with the press corps for more than two years.

Jay Carney, currently the top spokesman for Vice President Joe Biden, will replace Gibbs on Monday. On his first full day off, Gibbs said, he hoped to take his young son to school, watch “SportsCenter” and even go for a bike ride.

“Fortunately for me, I do not anticipate any further public events for the remainder of the week,” he joked.

michael.memoli@latimes.com