Obama's spokesman grew up in Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - President-elect Barack Obama's longtime spokesman Robert Gibbs grew up in Alabama and cut his teeth in politics by working for an Alabama congressman.

Gibbs graduated from Auburn High School in 1989 and first worked as an intern for former Congressman Glen Browder of Jacksonville. Browder says it was clear back in 1991 that Gibbs had special talents and was going to make his mark.

Gibbs is expected to be named Obama's press secretary.

Gibbs' mother, Nancy, takes credit for getting him interested in politics. She says she was very involved in the League of Women Voters in Auburn, and she used to take her two children to league activities rather than leaving them with a baby sitter.