Snow Denies White House Censored Critic, Moments After Admitting He Knew Nothing About It

[Junkdrawer]

Flynt Leverett, a Middle East analyst who served under President Bush on the National Security Council, revealed on Friday that the White House has been blocking the publication of an op-ed he wrote for the New York Times. The column is critical of the administration’s refusal to engage Iran. Leverett accused the White House of trying to “silence an established critic of the administration’s foreign policy incompetence.” (Steve Clemons, Christy Hardin Smith, and Juan Cole have more.)

Today, Tony Snow was asked about Leverett’s allegations at the White House press briefing. At first, Snow admitted, “I don’t know anything about it.” Moments later, however, he issued a definitive denial. “The White House is not blocking his writings,” Snow said.

Transcript:

QUESTION: Flynt Leverett — a former NSC official, Mideast expert; he also worked for the CIA — has charged that the administration has blocked publication of an op-ed he wrote for the New York Times simply because he’s critical of the administration’s Iran policy.

SNOW: I doubt that. But Flynt has been plenty critical and plenty public in the past. I don’t know…

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: … now being blocked because he’s become increasing critical at a time when it’s politically important for the White House to have public support for its foreign policy.

SNOW: I sincerely doubt that, but I’ll try to find out. I don’t know anything about it except, come on, it’s not like Flynt has not been out publicly on a number of occasions questioning the administration.

QUESTION: But he says the CIA has cleared this particular piece, and the White House has blocked it. So my question is…

SNOW: The White House is not blocking his writings.


Snow Video at link:

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/12/18/snow-leverett/

BTW:

Leverett's speech is available here:

http://www.newamerica.net/files/video/naf121806a.asx

[Kagemusha]

1. Well good luck to Mr. Snow in finding out he's mistaken.

Now is he going to do anything about how ridiculous the WH looks here? I'm not holding my breath. I'd die of suffocation that way.

[Disturbed]

2. Will Mr. Snowjob apologize again

when he finds out that he is wrong, again?

[Junkdrawer]

3. Hey, is the Vice President's office considered "The White House"?

:shrug:

[Kagemusha]

4. Can't keep yelling "executive privilege!" if it's not

So it's considered part of the WH, sure.

Edit: And Cheney's powers over declassification, such as they are, exist only because Bush gave them to him in an executive order. This has come up before, either with Plame stuff or Energy Task Force stuff.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

5. Couldn't This Legally Be Portrayed As A Public Declaration Of Approval Then,

thereby eliminating the roadblock?

Can't he now post it or circulate on any blog he wants, while referencing Snow?

[Junkdrawer]

7. I'm guessing Leverett was told informally that the WH is blocking...

The WH seems to be blocking WHILE denying they're blocking.

[Junkdrawer]

6. Help me keep this kicked...

Since the White House wants to keep this out of the New York Times, let's spread this far and wide.

[Junkdrawer]

8. .

[Junkdrawer]

14. .

[Junkdrawer]

15. .

[Junkdrawer]

9. Here's the interesting part:

The WH is saying it's OK to publish a 34 page paper on an obscure website. It's NOT OK to publish the Executive summary of said paper in the New York Times.

[jazzjunkysue]

10. Wonder how long Tony's gonna blow the monkey's BS before he quits.

He must know it's not gonna get better in the next 2 years.

[liam_laddie]

11. Diane Rehm show Wed 12/20...

Diane said today the Mr. Leverett will be a guest on her
show Wednesday, didn't say whwther first or second hour.

[riderinthestorm]

13. Day-um. Diane Rehm has been particularly feisty these days.

Bookmarked this so I remember to listen on Wednesday. Thanks for the head's up.
:hi:

[leftchick]

12. excellent Jd!

thank you!

[SAXMAR]

16. Never said "stay the course". WH is in Bizarro world or Orwell's 1984

I can't decide if the present administration is in Bizarro world from the Superman Comics or George Orwell's 1984.

What were the sayings from 1984?

Lies are Truth

Slavery is Freedom

Anybody remember what they were before I did out a copy?

[Junkdrawer]

17. .

War is peace.

Freedom is slavery.

Ignorance is strength