Reply #35: Yes I listened to the conference, and I heard a different answer than the one you imply....

[FrenchieCat]

Here's the transcript, and him answering the question...


"Now, with respect to Ms. Birnbaum, I found out about her resignation today. Ken Salazar has been in testimony throughout the day, so I don't know the circumstances in which this occurred. I can tell you what I've said to Ken Salazar, which is that we have to make sure, if we are going forward with domestic oil production, that the federal agency charged with overseeing its safety and security is operating at the highest level. And I want people in there who are operating at the highest level and aren't making excuses when things break down, but are intent on fixing them. And I have confidence that Ken Salazar can do that."
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/28obama-text.html?pagewanted=8


So he did know, but he wasn't the one to fire her. What he did was to tell Salazar that we need to be operating at the highest level, and those making excuses need to go. It appears that Salazar is the one that fired Ms. Birnbaum without further counsel from the President, since that department falls under his leadership as Secretary.