Gibbs responds to Tuesday's speeches. | AP Photo/NBC News Gibbs: 'Angry' night 'full of insults'

In Tampa to lead the pushback for President Barack Obama’s campaign, top adviser Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that the first night of the Republican National Convention was “angry” and “strange” and “full of insults.”

“I’m kind of flabbergasted at the whole night,” Gibbs said on MSNBC after Gov. Chris Christie’s keynote speech. “It seemed first and foremost like this was a very angry convention tonight full of insults.”


He said that the night’s speakers, including House Speaker John Boehner, did not capture the struggles most Americans — particularly women — are facing.

( PHOTOS: Tuesday's RNC convention speakers)

“It bore just no real resemblance to what’s going on in their party. It bore no real resemblance to what’s going on in the country. I think it was a very, very strange night,” he said, later adding, “The night was sort of highlighted by lots of anger and lots of insults.”

Gibbs watched the speeches from inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

”I was in the convention. And I think folks were a little surprised, they did a few double takes but they were quite cordial,” he said with a laugh.