Washington (CNN) -- In the tight circle that surrounds President Obama, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs is in the inner bubble. He's the 3 a.m. wake-up call when North Korea fires a test missile, or when the Nobel committee picks the president for the top award. "Trust me, it is a job I would gladly give to anybody who would volunteer," Gibbs said. Or would he? After all, he's an adviser, a friend and a mouthpiece for the administration with more access than recent press secretaries. "I can walk in and ask him a question at any given time, pick up the phone and talk to him about anything at any given time. I think [that] makes my job easier," Gibbs said in an exclusive interview with CNN.
@highlight
White House spokesman has more access to president than recent predecessors
@highlight
Robert Gibbs says he can walk in or call Obama any time he has a question
@highlight
Obama has praised Gibbs' willingness to challenge him, tell him he's wrong
@highlight
Gibbs known for using humor to deflect tough questions from media
"If you didn't enjoy the job that I have, it would be the worst job in all of @placeholder," he said.