WASHINGTON, DC - Making a surprise appearance before the White House press corps on Thursday, President Barack Obama announced his intention to replace outgoing White House press secretary Robert Gibbs with Tom Perkins, 44, a traveling amusement event employee, or "carnie."  Mr. Obama took no questions, saying only of Mr. Perkins, "If there's anything you want to know, here's the guy you gotta speak to," before leaving without shaking the new press secretary's extended hand.