Grilled Like A Ball Park Frank
Scott McClellan was roasted but good about FEMA and what the president knew and when he knew it in the September 7 White House press briefing:
Q Scott, does the President retain confidence in his FEMA Director and Secretary of Homeland Security?MR. McCLELLAN: And again, David, see, this is where some people want to look at the blame game issue, and finger-point. We're focused on solving problems, and we're doing everything we can --
Q What about the question?
MR. McCLELLAN: We're doing everything we can in support --
Q We know all that.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- of the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA.
Q Does he retain complete confidence --
MR. McCLELLAN: We're going to continue. We appreciate the great effort that all of those at FEMA, including the head of FEMA, are doing to help the people in the region. And I'm just not going to engage in the blame game or finger-pointing that you're trying to get me to engage.
Q Okay, but that's not at all what I was asking.
MR. McCLELLAN: Sure it is. It's exactly what you're trying to play.
Q You have your same point you want to make about the blame game, which you've said enough now. I'm asking you a direct question, which you're dodging.
MR. McCLELLAN: No --
Q Does the President retain complete confidence in his Director of FEMA and Secretary of Homeland Security, yes or no?
MR. McCLELLAN: I just answered the question.
Q Is the answer "yes" on both?
MR. McCLELLAN: And what you're doing is trying to engage in a game of finger-pointing.
Q There's a lot of criticism. I'm just wondering if he still has confidence.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- and blame-gaming. What we're trying to do is solve problems, David. And that's where we're going to keep our focus.
Q So you're not -- you won't answer that question directly?
MR. McCLELLAN: I did. I just did.--
They never answer the questions. They only state their talking points. Usually it isn't pointed out.
alex the sea turtle at September 8, 2005 8:03 AM
Just listen to what the Bushman, the Big Dick, Rumsfield and the rest of the cabal say, then believe the opposite.
"Brownie, you're doing a great job leading FEMA"????
"Nobody expected the levees tobreak"????????????????
I mean, come on.
Mad Hungarian at September 8, 2005 9:09 AM
The White House Press Corps is one of the most unserious bodies of journalism that exists today - they only seek to score political and "gotcha" points, even Mike McCurry (Clinton's press spokesman) had to quit after a few years of the constant carping and ridiculously assumptive questions.
Which has all led to the elaborate Kabuki - style performances we see presently, with each side spinning and deflecting each other's obvious biases and prejudices, for all to see. But it's not a place where any discerning person will go to actually learn any information, either from the spokesman or the press.
Dmac at September 8, 2005 11:48 AM
Trying to get them to answer a question is like trying to herd cats. They just scatter and lick themselves till they barf up some gross mess with hair on it - and then they name it George and put it into the white house.
Abby at September 8, 2005 2:32 PM
Speaking of hairballs, that's quite a hair you have up...oh, never mind. But thanks for adding your voice to the discussion, I guess.
Dmac at September 8, 2005 3:16 PM
Maybe Bobby Goldsboro can reprise his schmaltzy little number into "Watching Scottie Squirm."
deja pseu at September 8, 2005 6:56 PM
Palpable dishonesty. Disgusting. He insisted that he answered the question and he didn't. Repulsive. This guy makes Ann Coulter look like Lincoln.
Patrick at September 9, 2005 11:05 AM
Without the beard, Lincoln does look a little bit like Ann.
LYT at September 10, 2005 1:07 AM
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