Robert Gibbs has it exactly right in demanding that U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa say he’s sorry to Jay Carney, the fellow who succeeded Gibbs as White House press secretary.

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/robert-gibbs-darrell-issa-jay-carney-92134.html?hp=l4

Issa, the California Republican who chairs the House Government Oversight Committee, called Carney a “paid liar” the other day, suggesting something quite nefarious in the way Carney has been answering questions about the Internal Revenue Service controversy that still swirls around the White House.

Recently, one of Issa’s GOP colleagues – Sen. Mike Lee of Utah – suggested that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid should apologize to Sen. Ted Cruz for calling him a “schoolyard bully.” For my money, calling someone a liar is a good bit more defamatory than labeling someone a “bully.”

Carney’s been on the hot seat for sure trying to explain the mess that’s developed over the IRS’s screening of conservative non-profit groups seeking tax-exempt status. He’s doing what press secretaries of both parties always have done – and continue to do. He’s looking out for the best interests of his boss.

That’s precisely what Chairman Issa’s own press flack does on his behalf.

Issa has not conducted himself – or allowed his committee to conduct itself – with much dignity in the hunt for something, indeed anything, they can find to hang on the White House and on President Obama.

Yes, an apology is in order, Mr. Chairman.