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November 15, 2005

Whither Scott

It's been 6 days since the last White House press briefing with Scott McClellan. I need my fix! Briefings from the national security advisor simply don't cut it.

Last week, the general trend of more and more angry yelling continued. Here's a representative sample from the last briefing on November 9th:

Q: This has nothing to do with the special counsel. This has everything to do with the Ethics of Government Act. And for the record, I would just like to read --

Mr. McClellan: I think, for the record, people can go and look at this on our website. And for the record, this is being asked in the context of an ongoing investigation and legal proceeding, and I've already indicated to you that we're not going to have further comment on it while it is continuing. If you want to --

Q: I would just like to read, for the record --

Mr. McClellan: -- go and read that, you're welcome to do that. But I think other people in this room would like to proceed forward with other questions that they have.

Q: If I can take permission from the other people in this room, may I please read this one section? Does anyone have any objection?

Q: Yes, I don't think we're getting anywhere.

Q: Well, that's not the point.

Mr. McClellan: Okay, there. Thank you.

Q: That's not the point.

Mr. McClellan: Carl, do you have a question?

Q: Wait a minute, let the majority -- let this nice lady speak.

Mr. McClellan: That's all publicly available information.

Q: I know. She just has one more --

Mr. McClellan: Do you have a question? She has to give a question.

Q: She has just one more.

Q: I asked if it was -- I asked --

Mr. McClellan: Let's go to the question. I mean, we can all go and look at that on the website.

Q: Well, fine, but I'll save some time. "Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative or judicial branch of the government of the United States, knowingly and willfully, (1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device, a material fact, (2), makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation, or (3), makes or uses any false writing or document, knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or entry."

Mr. McClellan: It's been put into public record.

1 comment:

goldman said...

I believe the man's losing his cool. Pre-Libby-indictment, he was only getting hit with questions about "the ongoing investigation."

Now, it's a daily barrage. Helen Thomas has had a couple of remarkable exchanges with him on the torture amendment. The ethics briefings have been turned into a source of woe.

It's a tough job making this administration look competent. I think that's why he's taking a break.