What Do John McCain and Robert Gibbs' Son Have in Common?

If White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs is ever at a loss for words during a briefing, he can always revert to his go-to guy: his six-year-old son.

Regulars of the Robert Gibbs hour are well-aware of his Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?-style quips.

"I can report to you that Ethan Gibbs, with the bumpers down, bowled a couple of games while eating some chicken fingers," Gibbs playfully told reporters last October who were seeking insight into what kind of access political donors have at the White House.

Then there was the infamous heated exchange with American Urban Radio's April Ryan, which culminated in Gibbs telling Ryan to calm down and take a breath, adding, "This happens with my son."

Today's "Ethan" was Arizona Senator John McCain, Obama's former Republican Presidential rival.

Here is the full exchange:

Gibbs: "Senator Corker said that he thinks there are Republicans that will support financial reform. I think --"

Reporter: "McCain said he's going to oppose everything."

Gibbs: "Well, yes, I find it curious that not getting your way on one thing means you've decided to take your toys and go home. I don't think -- it doesn't work well for my six-year-old; I doubt it works well in the United States Senate, because we have issues that are important for his constituents and for all of America.

Look, again, when it comes to financial reform people are going to have an opportunity to weigh in on behalf of the banks or on behalf of consumers. And I'll let their vote on that dictate which side of that ledger they feel most comfortable on."

Reporter: "Are you comparing McCain to a six-year-old?"

Gibbs: "I'm saying that I think the notion that if you don't get what you want you're not going to cooperate on anything else is not a whole lot different than I might hear from a six-year-old."

That's not to say Gibbs uses his son merely as a punchline. The two are quite the peas in a pod. Just take a look at their Halloween costumes.

Perhaps, when Ethan is older, he can turn the tables on his dad and the days when he ruled the White House podium. He'll have plenty of research material; his dad's briefings are all in the public record.