E&P: Transcript: McClellan Defends President On Failure to Fire Rove

[UpInArms]

http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000980698

NEW YORK It was another difficult press briefing session for White House spokesman Scott McClellan today as reporters pounced on what appeared to be a changing presidential standard on what would prompt dismissal: mere involvement in the Plame scandal or the commiting of a crime? And if the latter, would an indictment be enough or would it take a conviction?

And why doesn't President Bush just walk down the hall and ask deputy Karl Rove for a full accounting?

Here's today's transcript of the relevant banter:

Q Scott, the President seemed to raise the bar and add a qualifier today when discussing whether or not anybody would be dismissed for -- in the leak of a CIA officer's name, in which he said that he would -- if someone is found to have committed a crime, they would no longer work in this administration. That's never been part of the standard before, why is that added now?

MR. McCLELLAN: No, I disagree, Terry. I think that the President was stating what is obvious when it comes to people who work in the administration: that if someone commits a crime, they're not going to be working any longer in this administration. Now the President talked about how it's important for us to learn all the facts. We don't know all the facts, and it's important that we not prejudge the outcome of the investigation. We need to let the investigation continue. And the investigators are the ones who are in the best position to gather all the facts and draw the conclusions. And at that point, we will be more than happy to talk about it, as I indicated last week.

<snip>

Q But you have said, though, that anyone involved in this would no longer be in this administration, you didn't say anybody who committed a crime. You had said, in September 2003, anyone involved in this would no longer be in the administration.

...more...

(edited subject line for typo)

[candy331]

1. On the ropes, wonder where he will land? n/t

[UpInArms]

3. hopefully in a cell with the rest of the criminals in this mal-admin

my fave line:

Q But on the specifics -- on the specifics, you made statements that have proven to be untrue.

Would have sent me right over the top if the questioner had actually used the word "lie" instead of "untrue".

[YDogg]

2. McClellan seemed more forceful today than in the past ...

... or at least based on what I have seen in past briefings. But he was damn near on the edge of being outright rude. Is he a uniter also?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

4. It's no mistake that Scotty-boy was chosen to be the NeoCons'....

...carnival barker.

[acmavm]

5. He's a cornered rat.

.

[UpInArms]

6. here's a great editorial regarding that cornered rat

http://www.niagarafallsreporter.com/gallagher222.html

excerpt:

The pressure of having his lies exposed and having to lie some more is clearly taking a toll on White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan. He looks like a just-goosed Pillsbury doughboy.

As the reporters grilled him, you know McClellan was thinking "God, where is Jeff Gannon when I really need him?"

Gannon, whose real name is James Guckert, was the fake reporter McClellan and Karl Rove provided White House press credentials to so he could repeat their talking points, pretending he was asking serious questions. Guckert's night job was as a homosexual prostitute, an apt complement to the services he provided the Busheviks during the day.

<snip>

NBC's David Gregory and ABC's Terry Moran stripped McClellan of any credibility and respectability, pointing to his litany of lies in claiming Rove had "no involvement" in discussing Wilson and his wife with reporters.

...more...

[Spazito]

11. Excellent editorial, thanks for providing the link!

I truly believe there is an awakening to the corrupt administration of the bush cabal and editiorials like this can only add to that awakening, imo.

[othermeans]

13. CHOICE! "God, where is Jeff Gannon when I really need him?"

That boy knows how to write!

"NBC's David Gregory and ABC's Terry Moran stripped McClellan of any credibility and respectability, pointing to his litany of lies in claiming Rove had "no involvement" in discussing Wilson and his wife with reporters."

[Supersedeas]

14. Gannons come cheap...there will be more oily boy journalists for WH use

[joeunderdog]

7. now THAT's comedy!!!

[Straight Shooter]

8. Too bad that "if someone commits a crime" isn't a retroactive position.

For one thing, bush would be gone. Isn't his DUI a matter of record?

Quite a few others would be gone, too, if I'm not mistaken.

[October]

12. Beautiful. Great point. /eom

[Dulcinea]

18. Cheney has several DUIs.

Anyone else would be in jail or lose their license for a long time!

[VegasWolf]

9. "And why doesn't President Bush just walk down the hall and ask

deputy Karl Rove for a full accounting? " Because, Bush is outside
riding his little bicycle and ringing his new horn.

[demgrrrll]

10. You know that smarmy little bastid has been practicing in front of a

mirror for days. Hey, You talking to me? It is all about appearances with these folks. The truth and integrity mean nothing.

[wallwriter]

15. He's not going to fire Rove because

he only said that when he thought no one would get caught. And by the way, 9-11, 9-11, 9-11, Terr, terr, terr.

[Catfight]

16. National Security FIRST before Rove! PERIOD. nt

[phillinweird247]

17. Q. mr. mclellen why are you such a whore?

MR. MCLELLEN:I am not going to comment while there is an ongoing investigation.. I think that the President was stating what is obvious when it comes to kissing his ass. He has stated he likes it in the middle not on the left or right cheek. Right smack in the middle. This confence is over!! good day