McClellan press conference scheduled for 12:45 pm (Eastern) today

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

...but after yesterday, what can we expect? More softballs? More "I've already answered that" responses? I guess we'll find out in about an hour.

Reminder: they have been running an average of 15 minutes late on all of these.

You can watch the live feed here:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/

"Watch the Press Briefing LIVE with White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan. Today's Press Briefing is scheduled to begin at 12:45pm."

...folks always asks about CSPAN, so if anyone reading this has the info, please post it here.

:toast:

[goclark]

1. kick Scottie The Parrot

He repeats everything they tell him too, all the LIES!

[livvy]

2. They just said on C-Span 2 that they would be covering

the briefing today while the Senate was in recess.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

3. Thanks!

:toast:

[wtmusic]

4. Wait...I'm feeling psychic

*closes eyes*

Scott will say..."in the context of a continuing investigation"..."President wants to get to the bottom of this"..."I've already addressed that"...

Weird!

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

5. Don't forget his new one...

..."I addressed that in October 2003. You need to go back and read what I said then"...

(for the record, what he said in October 2003 was "I don't know")...

:silly:

:toast:

[Sparkly]

6. I hope one of them points that out. n/t

[halobeam]

7. Yesterday the press was it's old self.....pathetic.

Here's to hoping they were slammed with emails from all who were watching...

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

8. Keep the volume down...we've got the BEEEEEEEEEEEP signal again.

:grr:

[Sparkly]

9. Ouch -- what's up with that?!

:(

[Bumblebee]

10. They want us deaf

[Sparkly]

11. Has it started? I'm getting nothing but the beep.

What an awful sound!!

[Bumblebee]

12. Nope, not yet.

[Sparkly]

13. Last-minute script editing, perhaps? nt

[wtmusic]

14. New batteries for Scott nt

[Seedersandleechers]

16. Not enough band width

so they are saying, however I have cable. C-span2 is showing the senate. Urgggggggggg

[Sparkly]

18. Where did you hear that, and do you mean it's taking place

but we can't see/hear it? :(

[pgh_dem]

15. Just one more passive-aggressive thing the WH can do, which

anybody calling them on it could be labeled paranoid conspiracy theorists for suggesting that they leave that BEEEEP tone on to discourage web viewers.

However, when you look at EVERY online poll from MSNBC, CNN, AOL etc...it's evident there is an overwhelming majority of liberals out there, and they're paying attention.

Who knows? There's always the catch-all explanation they just love to use: They're incompetent.

[louis-t]

17. Watch his eyes, he doesn't even believe what he's saying anymore.

This is a guy who's hating life and his job right now.

[Sparkly]

20. Okay! The Scotty show is about to begin!

:D

[senseandsensibility]

19. Who asked the question about treason yesterday?

And will he be there today?

[gkhouston]

22. supposedly a newly credentialed reporter from AAR

I read that in Dan Froomkin's column in today's Washington Post (it's an online column; always worth a gander).

on edit: Dan did name the reporter, but I don't remember the guy's name; only that it was a man whose name I hadn't encountered before.


second edit, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2005/07/26/BL2005072600868_3.html


"According to BTC News blogger Eric Brewer , who was in the briefing room yesterday, that question was courtesy of a new arrival: "Paul Sanford, a lawyer from Aptos, California, who has just been accredited as a White House reporter for Air America Radio."

[senseandsensibility]

27. Thanks!

He's from AAR? Cool.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

23. Their identity wasn't reported...

I've seen the QUESTION in several Web Sites, and it made the ehadlines, but I haven't seen anyone identify the reporter. Too bad, they deserve credit.

[gkhouston]

30. I hope so. I guess it depends on whether

there were any flights to Gitmo yesterday. :scared:

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

21. Beep stopped, we've got background chatter...should be coming soon.

C'mon, Scotty...come out and PLAY, bee-yatch.

:evilgrin:

[Seedersandleechers]

24. Please give us a play by play

[Sparkly]

25. He's LATE.

Somebody said, "I'm just going to do it today," and you could hear Les Kinsolving saying, "I'm for that! I'll second that!"

[Bumblebee]

26. They are still chatting, no Scottie

Having a great time, it appears.

[Sparkly]

28. Sounds like a wild cocktail party.

David Gregory's about to put a lampshade on his head....

[gkhouston]

32. well, they're getting ready to play pin the tail on the jackass

just as soon as Scotty shows up.

[Bumblebee]

31. The briefing will start in two minutes, says a female voice

Reporters screaming "It's about time!" "He is 25 minutes late!"

[bunny planet]

29. Did they use the blue dress to make those curtains behind the podium.

There is a suspicious stain.

[Catshrink]

33. Do you think Scottie's puking from nerves?

Afraid to go on?

[Bumblebee]

35. Yesterday they hardly tested him, with 2-3 exceptions

[Sparkly]

36. Starting with message from Preznit (supposedly) on space shuttle. n/t

[warrens]

41. The question I would like to ask him is...

Will Karl have a choice of methods, or does the federal government only use lethal injection. I know there used to be the option of a firing squad and perhaps hanging; are those still options?

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

34. THERE he is! Hey, kids. it's Little Scotty McMeltdown!

VH1 seriously needs to consider an episode of "Scott McClellan: Behind The Music."

I wonder if he stays up all night and binges on Dunkin' Donuts? Does he send a lesser toady to the drive-thru window at Wendy's?

Background yelling: "45 minutes late! IT'S ABOUT TIME!"

The press is PISSED. Pissed, vocal and ROWDY...just the way they OUGHT to be.

:evilgrin:

[gkhouston]

37. I think he keeps showing up later and later to try to shorten

his time on the spit but the reporters are wise to that game.

[Bumblebee]

Someone just said -- a reporter that is -- briefing will start in one hour

32 minutes -- but Scottie is there now, reading the shuttle statement from B

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

38. First question is a space shuttle question.

"The president outlined a vision, and NASA is working on moving forward on that vision."

GREAT.

Now tell us why Gonzales waited 12 hours.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

39. "You can sit there and smirk about it, but"...

OOOOOOH.

Scotty, you BITCH.

:evilgrin:

[Bumblebee]

47. That was to a question about Mars -- it did sound sarcastic

[Sparkly]

40. "And you can sit there and smirk about it..."

GEEZ.

I also hate how he says "important" as "imported."

[senseandsensibility]

43. and cudnut for couldn't and shudnut for shouldn't

He really sounds illiterate.

[bunny planet]

42. He's so credible when he speaks about National Security concerns isn't

he?

[Sparkly]

44. Says they're going to get records on Roberts from Reagan yrs.

Giving Senate "more than they need" to make their decision.

[Sparkly]

45. Attorney/client privelege again.

Somebody please tell him it doesn't apply!!

[Sparkly]

51. A woman challenging it...

Scotty says Solicitor Gen. represents "US government," cites a different act...?

[gkhouston]

46. doesn't the Senate get to decide what they need?

and that would include Bush years as well... something happen then you don't want them to know about??

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

48. He's dragging out his responses, talking a LOT...fill out the time clock.

Stall for time, Scotty. Stall for time.

[gkhouston]

50. ask about the 12 hours.... ask about the Federalist Society... n/t

[bunny planet]

52. Yup! Wonder why?

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

49. "ALL OF US WHO WORK AT THE WHITE HOUSE KNOW...

...THAT WHAT WE DO IS GOING TO BE DISCLOSED PUBLICLY."

Unless the docs are shredded.

[Bumblebee]

55. Good persisitent followups about Roberts' doc and laws

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Helen Thomas: Recess appointment for Bolton?

"We believe he ought to get an up or down vote. Nothing has changed"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

53. dupe

[Sparkly]

54. Helen asks about Bolton recess appointment

Scotty will only say "nothing has changed."

[bunny planet]

56. When Snottie said that Bolton deserved and up or down vote didn't Helen

say 'Well, he's not going to get one.' or did I mishear that.

[gkhouston]

59. snort. I'd love it if someone asked about whether Bolton's

chances as a candidate are threatened by his possibile involvement in the Plame outing scandal.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

57. "I hope Senator Leahy isn't going to request documents...

...the president hasn't even seen, as part of their lines of attack against the president."

[gkhouston]

63. attacking the president?? My, I thought the Senate's job was

to advise and consent and they need information for that. Who's playing partisan politics now, Scotty?

[Bumblebee]

64. Scottie on attack against the Dems

long and itemized -- takes lots of time and great GOP talking points at the same time. I am sure he is very happy with himself

[bunny planet]

58. Scottie is now feeling free to comment on Democratic strategy instead of

answering a question about the Republican WH he is spokeshole for.

[Sparkly]

62. Exactly!!

He sure had a lot of words for that one!!

[Sparkly]

60. Now he's slamming Democrats for a "line of attack"

reported in the media, outlined before the nomination was made.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

61. Is it REALLY this little shit's responsibility...

...to get up there and attack the Democrats and outline HIS PERCEIVED "lines of attack?"

[bunny planet]

65. You can't speak for members of Congress, you just went into a diatribe

about what Democratic members of Congress were doing.

[Sparkly]

66. Reporter pointed out Democrats could have gotten the documents anyway

and the ones they want, haven't been provided.

Scotty repeats script about "expediting the process."

[gkhouston]

67. we're gonna be stuck with this judge for decades. I say we should

take a couple of months to think it over. What is the rush, Scotty? Do you have the feeling that time is running out?

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

68. FIRST CIA leak question. Clinton calls it "terrible"...

"What I've said previously. I've nothing to add to what I've said previously. And you know our response on questions related to the investigation. That's a question."

[gkhouston]

70. Ask if he'll resign when he's indicted. Go ahead, somebody.

Ask him.

[Bumblebee]

72. Go, April!!!

[Bumblebee]

69. We are already at the Indian reporter point

and no questions so far about Rove, Gonzales, Card, or anything

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

73. I'm guessing that Indian reporter...

...has a lovely basket of complimentary mini muffins waiting for him every day when he goes back to his hotel room.

[Bumblebee]

84. Hotel? He probably lives in the WH

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

71. Spreadin' freedom and hope. President believes in freedom.

"Free societies are committed to the betterment of the people in those societies. Isalam is a great religion, as the president has said before."

[bunny planet]

74. He's effectively shut down questions by saying he's not going to comment

on an ongoing investigation. The reporters should be asking the questions anyway, it is just as effective for us to see Snottie stonewalling. What about Gonzales, he seemed to feel it was appropriate to comment on an ongoing investigation just this past weekend. Why no questions about that.

Yeah, someone is bringing up the CIA officials and the hearing they had with Byron Dorgen.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

75. Plame question...growing concern among operatives in the field

"I reject your characterization. What we're doing is helping advance the investigation. The president is helpoing them get to the bottom of it, not comment on it from this podium."

[gkhouston]

77. he's just said the president's helping them get to the bottom

of it. That's a comment. *How* is the president helping?

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

79. He's helping by not talking about it. Right, Scotty?

The president is on the golf course with OJ, tracking down the real killers.

[gkhouston]

82. oh, is that it?

I thought perhaps he was giving a guided tour of "the bottom of this" since he *is* at the bottom of it.

[Bumblebee]

80. The reporter said they fear being "targets of political assassination"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

76. "These are all questions you're bringing up on an ongoing investigation

...and the president has expressed our views on this."

[bunny planet]

78. yes more of the same, blah, blah,blah, blah , blah, ongoing investigation.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

81. Osama wants Nukes! Scotty, reports show Osama wants Nukes!

"That IS a concern of ours. It's BEEN a concern of ours."

[gkhouston]

"and as soon as we get rid of unions, abortions, and

birth control, we'll worry about Osama and his nukes". :sarcasm:

[bunny planet]

86. The poppy fields are a concern of ours. We want to be the ones to use

them to finance our operations.

[Catrina]

107. Obvious follow-up question

So, is the administration worried that Osama might be trying to get Uranium from Niger?

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

83. "Isn't this a great country or WHAT?"

Scotty: "It absolutely IS."

GOD BLESS them softball-tossin' foreign reporters.

[Sparkly]

85. Les Kinsolving is such an ass. What was his question?

My phone rang after his remarks about Jesse Jackson's baby. :eyes:

[bunny planet]

88. Yes, Les is a loon, but he is the only one that said to Scot, can you

appreciate my question and still give me an answer. I wish the others asking really important questions, the few that do, would follow up that way.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

89. I couldn't hear all of it...something about his illegitimate kid.

What a PRICK.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

87. Hispanic reporter just set him up for a CAFTA infomercial

"Lasting democracy, advance of freedom abroad, strengthening democratic institutions in out own neighborhoods"

[bunny planet]

91. Yes, isnt she the one who steered him back to the Shuttle launch a few

minutes ago, so Scotty could wax poetic about the wonderful space science that the Preznit is applauding.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

90. PLEASE tell Scotty "peninchula" is NOT A WORD.

"North Korea and their NUKLEE ambitions?"

[FormerOstrich]

92. what was the question he said didn't deserve an answer n/t

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

93. I'll post the transcript later when the W.H. Web Site posts it...

...I couldn;t hear all of it.

[FormerOstrich]

99. ty.

hahahaha not catching bin laden is a success...and we will bring him to justice.....lol

[bunny planet]

94. The one Loony Les asked about Jesse Jackson's love child.

[bunny planet]

95. Oh yes, President is a real model of leadership for the Boy Scouts.

Will he discuss the importance of service as reflected by his illustrious career in the National Guard?

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

96. President will talk about the importance of Boy Scouts...

...tomorrow, at the Jamboree. Because he needs to tell them about the importance of "MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES IN LIFE."

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

97. dupe

[Bumblebee]

98. Bolton question -- are they worried that a recess appointment

will poison the well in the senate just in time for Roberts. Scottie does not answer hypothetical questions, as you know.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

100. "Osama bin Laden...he is someone who IS ON THE RUN....

...We will continue to pursue him, and we will capture him. We have dismantled his Al Qaeda network. He is someone that we continue to pursue, and he WILL be brought to justice."

[bunny planet]

101. We have caught 12 of the #3 leaders of Al Quaeda, and several

masterminds.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

102. Scotty has left the building.

WELL...we certainly learned a lot about freedom and hope today, didn't we?

[gkhouston]

106. and a lot about math, too

how can there be so many #3 leaders? :shrug:

[bunny planet]

103. Well that was certainly informative.

:sarcasm:

[halobeam]

104. The press is like Zarkawi.....

dead....not dead....dead.... not dead...

For crying out loud, we are screwed.

[Sparkly]

105. "let's not jump to any conclusions about who did these attacks"

He says we don't know who they are yet. Then he goes on to "explain" everything about them, how they use religion, their ideology of hate, etc... How does he know that if he doesn't know who they are?