Scott McClellan Earns His Paycheck



Q: 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.

Q: 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"?

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.

Q: 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...

Q: (inaudible) when it's appropriate and when it's inappropriate?

MCCLELLAN: If you'll let me finish.

Q: 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.

Q: 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... 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.....

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.

Full Transcript

And if you want to keep track . . . here's the GOP's "Talking Points" for any media contacts, just so that everyone stays on message

Talking Points

How exactly does one do the Frog March? Can one Frog March with leg cuffs on? Can you combine the Perp-Walk with a Frog March? So many questions...

It's going to be interesting to see what GWB does with this one.

If he doesn't fire Rove, he's a GD liar.

If he does fire Rove, he loses the most important strategist in the administration.

Tough choice.

Bet you guys all thought my real name was CJ. CJ was my cat Curious Jorge. Well..here I am.

Even more important (no, couldn't be, could it?) is who broke what laws and when. Then, who knew about it. Looks like this prosecutor is not playing games with anybody. I have a lot more faith in him doing his job fairly and objectively in this instance than I do in the Whitehouse, Congress, RNC or DNC.

I see you've adopted the administration's position on that issue. Rove will probably escape prosecution because the statute is so narrow. There will be at least one element of the statute that can't be proven. So, Rove will avoid indictment, the administration will claim that he is vindicated, and the media lap dogs will fall in line. The same game plan worked for Ed Meese when the grand jury decided not to indict him. So much for bringing honor back to the White House.

Too bad the major media that interview libs arent that tenascious when the libs poo poo stupid answers, or non responsive answers.

What I dont understand, is, the guy said he isnt going to talk about it right now, what the hell didnt the reporter understand about that?

The Dems are all drooling right now, but it will blow by. They are desperate.

I'm coming to that POV myself. This could get interesting.

I'm sure you'll all be relieved to hear that I'm having a change of heart on this. I think perhaps this is one sort of case where a journalist might reveal their confidential source(s) ethically. This was not a leak designed to protect the innocent and expose malefactors -- it was a leak done specifically to criminally harm someone, worst case scenario anyway. Best case, it was still not a noble leak. Rove should have known better.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

what's the problem? we already know he is a liar and he doesn't need rove anymore because he can't run for office again. "mr. nukulur" does not give a rat's arse what the people of this nation think.

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0o==o0

James 4:8

"...let us put aside the blindness of mind of those who can conceive of nothing higher than what is known through the senses"
-Saint Gregory Palamas, ---Discourse on the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ


Centrally located in North East Central Pa.

Not that simple.

I don't think "liar" will be as clear cut as it will be here.

Rove is excellent at measuring the political winds. George is still sensitive to that, believe it or not.

i am too that simple!

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0o==o0

James 4:8

"...let us put aside the blindness of mind of those who can conceive of nothing higher than what is known through the senses"
-Saint Gregory Palamas, ---Discourse on the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ


Centrally located in North East Central Pa.

well, he certainly doesnt give a rats arse what stupid liberal democrats think, if they think at all. And rightly so,,,,

The White House press corps is addicted to the money and prestige that comes with the job. Their addiction is why they put up with McClellan's nonsense. They don't even stand up to him when he impugns their integrity. Like here: If the reporter had any self-respect, he would have called McClellan on the accusation that the reporter was being disingenuous, but then he might not get invited back. The same lap dog mentality pervades the media. It's a big reason why our democracy has become so dysfunctional, IMHO.