Friday morning WH press briefing: Reporters Demand Answers On 'Ashcroft Hospital Visit'

[DeepModem Mom]

Editor&Publisher: Reporters Demand Answers On 'Ashcroft Hospital Visit'
By E&P Staff
Published: May 18, 2007 12:15 PM ET

NEW YORK At a press briefing this morning at the White House, reporters peppered Bush spokesman Tony Fratto with questions about the growing intrigue surrounding the attempt to get a hospitalized Attorney General John Ashcroft to sign off on domestic spying. President Bush deflected questions on the matter yesterday, refusing to confirm that he had dispatched two aides to the hospital or even that the incident took place.

Fratto seemed to confirm today that (the visit) happened, correcting one reporter who said it happened in a "hotel room", saying it was actually a "hospital room."

Reporters also appeared to trap him when he re-stated the president's position that the White House will not comment on this because it involves a classified program, even though the hospital visit itself is not classified. A reporter replied: If it's so secrect and vital, why aren't you proposing that charges be brought against James Comey, the former #2 in the Justice Department, who revealed the details in Congressonal testimony earlier this week?

They also jumped on his statement that the proper committees in Congress had been briefed on the allegedly illegal program, suggesting that they had approved it. Reporters asked if they indeed did approve it (which is unlikely?). Fratto dodged that one.

And, asked if there was anything factually incorrect about Comey's testimony, Fratto replied: "I'm not in a position to comment on reports of Comey's testimony."

The full exchange follows....

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003587627

[BOSSHOG]

1. A liar covering up for another liar. Pure republican bonding

He's "not in a position" to comment about reports. So what are you a "spokesman" for? How bout from a jail cell ya fucking criminal.

[Ezlivin]

2. Time to use some enhanced interrogation techniques on these fuckers

I say let's break out the waterboards...

[BOSSHOG]

4. Per limbaugh it would be like going on vacation

However, I have every confidence that each and every cowardly chickenhawk in this country has a very low threshold for pain. They'd be whining for Mommy after a minute or two. They are so fucking brave behind their microphones.

[Spazito]

3. LOL, gotta love this one...

"I'm not in a position to comment on reports of Comey's testimony."

I guess it is not just the troops who are blocked from YouTube, the bush admin spokespersons must also be blocked from actually watching his testimony instead of only knowing of "reports of Comey's testimony".

Pathetic, truly pathetic.

[peacetalksforall]

5. "...that the proper committees in Congress had been briefed on the allegedly illegal program,"

Congress - does he mean that old traitor - the one who pretends he is a Senator - John Warner? He is first and foremost the equivalent of a White House Cabinet Member - in charge of pretending that Congress was briefed. Along with the old video doctor, Frist.