Wonder Of Wonders •• Be An Earwitness To USA Profit
Puffing Media •• Actually DOING Their Job For A Change
At The White House Regular News Briefing • Between USA
Reporters • And Scott McClellan • GWB's Press Secretary
"QUESTION: Does the president stand by his pledge to fire
anyone involved in a leak of the name of a CIA operative?
MCCLELLAN: I appreciate your question. I think your
question is being asked related to some reports that are in
reference to an ongoing criminal investigation. The criminal
investigation that you reference is something that continues
at this point.
And as I’ve previously stated, while that investigation is
ongoing, the White House is not going to comment on it.
The president directed the White House to cooperate fully
with the investigation. And as part of cooperating fully with
the investigation, we made a decision that we weren’t going
to comment on it while it is ongoing.
QUESTION: I actually wasn’t talking about any
investigation.
But in June of 2004, the president said that he would fire
anybody who was involved in this leak to the press about
information. I just wanted to know: Is that still his position?
MCCLELLAN: Yes, but this question is coming up in the
context of this ongoing investigation, and that’s why I said
that our policy continues to be that we’re not going to get
into commenting on an ongoing criminal investigation from
this podium.
The prosecutors overseeing the investigation had expressed
a preference to us that one way to help the investigation is
not to be commenting on it from this podium.
MCCLELLAN: And so that’s why we are not going to get
into commenting on it while it is an ongoing investigation —
or questions related to it.
QUESTION: Scott, if I could point out: Contradictory to that
statement, on September 29th of 2003, while the
investigation was ongoing, you clearly commented on it.
You were the first one to have said that if anybody from the
White House was involved, they would be fired.
And then, on June 10th of 2004, at Sea Island Plantation, in
the midst of this investigation, when the president made his
comments that, yes, he would fire anybody from the White
House who was involved, so why have you commented on
this during the process of the investigation in the past, but
now you’ve suddenly drawn a curtain around it under the
statement of, We’re not going to comment on an ongoing
investigation?
MCCLELLAN: Again, John, I appreciate the question. I
know you want to get to the bottom of this. No one wants to
get to the bottom of it more than the president of the United
States.
And I think the way to be most helpful is to not get into
commenting on it while it is an ongoing investigation. And
that’s something that the people overseeing the investigation
have expressed a preference that we follow.
And that’s why we’re continuing to follow that approach
and that policy.
Now, I remember very well what was previously said. And,
at some point, I will be glad to talk about it, but not until
after the investigation is complete.
QUESTION: So could I just ask: When did you change your
mind to say that it was OK to comment during the course of
an investigation before, but now it’s not?
MCCLELLAN: Well, I think maybe you missed what I was
saying in reference to Terry’s question at the beginning.
There came a point, when the investigation got under way,
when those overseeing the investigation asked that it would
be — or said that it would be their preference that we not
get into discussing it while it is ongoing.
I think that’s the way to be most helpful to help them
advance the investigation and get to the bottom of it.
QUESTION: Scott, can I ask you this: Did Karl Rove commit
a crime?
MCCLELLAN: Again, David, this is a question relating to a
ongoing investigation, and you have my response related to
the investigation. And I don’t think you should read
anything into it other than: We’re going to continue not to
comment on it while it’s ongoing.
QUESTION: Do you stand by your statement from the fall of
2003, when you were asked specifically about Karl and Elliot
Abrams and Scooter Libby, and you said, I’ve gone to each
of those gentlemen, and they have told me they are not
involved in this ?
QUESTION: Do you stand by that statement?
MCCLELLAN: And if you will recall, I said that, as part of
helping the investigators move forward on the investigation,
we’re not going to get into commenting on it. That was
something I stated back near that time as well.
QUESTION: Scott, this is ridiculous. The notion that you’re
going to stand before us, after having commented with that
level of detail, and tell people watching this that somehow
you’ve decided not to talk.
You’ve got a public record out there. Do you stand by your
remarks from that podium or not?
MCCLELLAN: I’m well aware, like you, of what was
previously said. And I will be glad to talk about it at the
appropriate time. The appropriate time is when the
investigation…
QUESTION: (inaudible) when it’s appropriate and when it’s
inappropriate?
MCCLELLAN: If you’ll let me finish.
QUESTION: No, you’re not finishing. You’re not saying
anything.
You stood at that podium and said that Karl Rove was not
involved. And now we find out that he spoke about Joseph
Wilson’s wife. So don’t you owe the American public a fuller
explanation. Was he involved or was he not? Because
contrary to what you told the American people, he did
indeed talk about his wife, didn’t he?
MCCLELLAN: There will be a time to talk about this, but
now is not the time to talk about it.
QUESTION: Do you think people will accept that, what
you’re saying today?
MCCLELLAN: Again, I’ve responded to the question.
QUESTION: You’re in a bad spot here, Scott…
(LAUGHTER)
… because after the investigation began — after the criminal
investigation was under way — you said, October 10th,
2003, I spoke with those individuals, Rove, Abrams and
Libby. As I pointed out, those individuals assured me they
were not involved in this, from that podium. That’s after the
criminal investigation began.
Now that Rove has essentially been caught red-handed
peddling this information, all of a sudden you have respect
for the sanctity of the criminal investigation.
MCCLELLAN: No, that’s not a correct characterization. And
I think you are well aware of that.
We know each other very well. And it was after that period
that the investigators had requested that we not get into
commenting on an ongoing criminal investigation.
And we want to be helpful so that they can get to the
bottom of this. Because no one wants to get to the bottom of
it more than the president of the United States.
I am well aware of what was said previously. I remember
well what was said previously. And at some point I look
forward to talking about it. But until the investigation is
complete, I’m just not going to do that.
QUESTION: So you’re now saying that after you cleared
Rove and the others from that podium, then the prosecutors
asked you not to speak anymore and since then you haven’t.
MCCLELLAN: Again, you’re continuing to ask questions
relating to an ongoing criminal investigation and I’m just not
going to respond to them.
QUESTION: When did they ask you to stop commenting on
it, Scott? Can you pin down a date?
MCCLELLAN: Back in that time period.
QUESTION: Well, then the president commented on it nine
months later. So was he not following the White House
plan?
MCCLELLAN: I appreciate your questions. You can keep
asking them, but you have my response.
QUESTION: Well, we are going to keep asking them.
When did the president learn that Karl Rove had had a
conversation with a news reporter about the involvement of
Joseph Wilson’s wife in the decision to send him to Africa?
MCCLELLAN: I’ve responded to the questions.
QUESTION: When did the president learn that Karl Rove
had been…
MCCLELLAN: I’ve responded to your questions.
QUESTION: After the investigation is completed, will you
then be consistent with your word and the president’s word
that anybody who was involved will be let go?
MCCLELLAN: Again, after the investigation is complete, I
will be glad to talk about it at that point.
QUESTION: Can you walk us through why, given the fact
that Rove’s lawyer has spoken publicly about this, it is
inconsistent with the investigation, that it compromises the
investigation to talk about the involvement of Karl Rove, the
deputy chief of staff, here?
MCCLELLAN: Well, those overseeing the investigation
expressed a preference to us that we not get into
commenting on the investigation while it’s ongoing. And
that was what they requested of the White House. And so I
think in order to be helpful to that investigation, we are
following their direction.
QUESTION: Scott, there’s a difference between commenting
on an investigation and taking an action…
MCCLELLAN: (inaudible)
QUESTION: Can I finish, please?
MCCLELLAN: I’ll come back to you in a minute.
--snip--
QUESTION: Does the president continue to have confidence
in Mr. Rove?
MCCLELLAN: Again, these are all questions coming up in
the context of an ongoing criminal investigation. And you’ve
heard my response on this.
QUESTION: So you’re not going to respond as to whether or
not the president has confidence in his deputy chief of staff?
MCCLELLAN: You’re asking this question in the context of
an ongoing investigation, and I would not read anything into
it other then I’m simply going to comment on an ongoing
investigation.
QUESTION: Has there been any change, or is there a plan
for Mr. Rove’s portfolio to be altered in any way?
MCCLELLAN: Again, you have my response to these
questions.
--snip--
QUESTION: There’s a difference between commenting
publicly on an action and taking action in response to it.
Newsweek put out a story, an e-mail saying that Karl Rove
passed national security information on to a reporter that
outed a CIA officer. Now, are you saying that the president
is not taking any action in response to that? Because I
presume that the prosecutor did not ask you not to take
action and that if he did you still would not necessarily
abide by that; that the president is free to respond to news
reports, regardless of whether there’s an investigation or
not.
So are you saying that he’s not going to do anything about
this until the investigation is fully over and done with?
MCCLELLAN: Well, I think the president has previously
spoken to this.
This continues to be an ongoing criminal investigation.
MCCLELLAN: No one wants to get to the bottom of it more
than the president of the United States.
And we’re just not going to have more to say on it until that
investigation is complete.
QUESTION: But you acknowledged that he is free, as
president of the United States, to take whatever action he
wants to in response to a credible report that a member of
his staff leaked information. He is free to take action if he
wants to.
MCCLELLAN: Again, you’re asking questions relating to an
ongoing investigation, and I think I’ve responded to it.
--snip--
QUESTION: Considering the widespread interest and the
absolutely frantic Democrat reaction to Karl Rove’s excellent
speech to conservatives last month, does the president hope
that Karl will give a lot more speeches?
MCCLELLAN: He continues to give speeches.
He was traveling this weekend talking about the importance
of strengthening Social Security. And he’s continued to go
out and give speeches.
--snip--
QUESTION: Scott, what was the president’s interaction
today with Karl Rove? Did they discuss this current
situation?
And understanding that Karl Rove was the architect of the
president’s reelection (OFF-MIKE) how important is Karl
Rove to this administration?
MCCLELLAN: Again, this is coming at it from…
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)
MCCLELLAN: This is still coming at the same question
relating to reports about an ongoing investigation. And I
think I’ve responded to…
QUESTION: Who is Karl Rove as it relates to this
administration?
MCCLELLAN: Do you have questions on another topic?
QUESTION: No, no, no, no. Who is Karl Rove as it relates to
this current administration?
MCCLELLAN: I appreciate the question. I think I’ve
responded.
--snip--
QUESTION: Scott, I think you’re getting this barrage today
in part because it is now clear that 21 months ago you were
up at this podium saying something that we now know to
be demonstrably false.
Now, are you concerned that in setting the record straight
today that this could undermine the credibility of the other
things you say from the podium?
MCCLELLAN: Again, I’m going to be happy to talk about
this at the appropriate time.
You and everybody in this room — or most people in this
room, I should say — know me very well, and they know
the type of person that I am. And I’m confident in our
relationship that we have.
But I will be glad to talk about this at the appropriate time,
and that’s once the investigation is complete. I’m not going
to get into commenting based on reports or anything of that
nature.
QUESTION: Scott, at this point are we to consider what you
said previously, when you were talking about this — that
you’re still standing by that or are those all inoperative at
this point? MCCLELLAN: Again, you’re still trying to come
at this from a different angle, and I’ve responded to it.
QUESTION: Are you standing by what you said previously?
MCCLELLAN: You’ve heard my response.
--snip--
QUESTION: When the leak investigation is completed, does
the president believe it might be important for his
credibility, the credibility of the White House, to release all
the information voluntarily that was submitted as part of the
investigation, so the American public could see what
transpired inside the White House at the time?
MCCLELLAN: This is an investigation being overseen by a
special prosecutor.
MCCLELLAN: And I think those are questions best directed
to the special prosecutor.
Again, this is an ongoing matter. I’m just not going to get
into commenting on it further at this time.
At the appropriate time, when it’s complete, then I’ll be glad
to talk about it at that point.
QUESTION: Have you or the White House considered
whether that would be optimal to release as much
information and make it as open…
MCCLELLAN: It’s the same type of question. You’re asking
me to comment on an ongoing investigation and I’m not
going to do that.
QUESTION: I’d like you to talk about the communications
strategies just a little bit there.
MCCLELLAN: Understood. The president directed the
White House to cooperate fully with the investigation, and
that’s what he expects people in the White House to do.
QUESTION: And he would like to do that when it is
concluded, cooperate fully with…
MCCLELLAN: Again, I’ve already responded.
QUESTION: Scott, who in the investigation made this
request of the White House not to comment further about
the investigation? Was it Mr. Fitzgerald? Did he make a
request of you specifically?
MCCLELLAN: You can direct those questions to the special
prosecutors. I think probably more than one individual
who’s involved in overseeing the investigation had
expressed a preference that we not get into commenting on
the investigation while it’s ongoing.
I think we all want to see the prosecutors get to the bottom
of this matter. The president wants to see the prosecutors
get to the bottom of this matter. And the way to help them
do that is to not get into commenting on it while it is
ongoing.
QUESTION: Was the request made of you or of whom in the
White House?
MCCLELLAN: I already responded to these questions.
--snip--
QUESTION: In your dealings with the special counsel, have
you consulted a personal attorney?
MCCLELLAN: Again, I’m just not going to say anything
further. I expressed all I’m going to say on this matter from
this podium.
--snip--"
Summary •• 32 Minutes With The Press Secretary • Of The
President Who Promised Honesty And Integrity Would Be
Restored To The Office Of The President
Refused To Answer 35 Questions • About President's
Closest Advisor Possibly Putting A CIA Agent In Risk Of
Death For His Own Political Purposes • Claimed 22 Times
That An "Ongoing Investigation" Prevented Him From
Commenting • Even Tho Both He And GWB Have
Previously Commented PLENTY
Intuitive*Analysis™
Do The Profit Puffing Media Smell Another Watergate
Crisis? •• Do Their Questions Suggest That Scott McClellan
Himself Might Be Guilty Of Obstruction Of Justice Because
Of His Previous Very Public Proclamations That Karl Rove
Was NOT At All Involved In Exposing The CIA Agent? ••
Is A Full Blown Firestorm About To Erupt In The Lying
White House?
LINK: Actual Previous Quotes •• Show Nasty Bush
Box
LINK: White House •• Suddenly Silent
LINK: Woodshed Scene At White House •• Reporters
Fed Up
LINK: USA Senator •• Sez Act Of Treason
LINK: GWB •• Must Fire Rove
LINK: Ethics Watchdog •• Sez Paint Rove G O N E
LINK: Time For Rove •• To Go
6:40:33 AM
