Get Scott McClellan a press secretary!
Can anyone find Scott McClellan? Following all the Bush administration blowback and media commentary today over the ex-White House press secretary's book on his apparently miserable years serving the president, McClellan and his publisher have responded with a resounding, "No comment." From CNN.com's morning write-up:
In a brief phone conversation with CNN on Tuesday evening, McClellan made clear that he stands behind the accuracy of his book. McClellan said he cannot give on-the-record quotes because of an agreement with his publisher.
The former Bush press secretary "cannot give on-the-record quotes" per his publisher's orders? Sure, writing a tell-all political memoir has become a rite of passage for disgruntled former Bush administration officials, but McClellan was not just another policy-wonk bureaucrat. His job was more or less to make reporters and the public have a positive opinion of the president. Hell, this guy was a hyper-loyal Bushie dating back to the commander-in-chief's days as the likable governor of Texas. Having McClellan out there defending himself against the administration he so vigorously flacked for a few years ago should make any book publisher drool.
Speaking of defending the administration, McClellan had a few words of his own in 2004 for Richard A. Clarke when the former counter-terrorism expert penned his political memoir "Against All Enemies":
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, why, all of a sudden, if he had all these grave concerns, did he not raise these sooner? This is one-and-a-half years after he left the administration. And now, all of a sudden, he's raising these grave concerns that he claims he had. And I think you have to look at some of the facts. One, he is bringing this up in the heat of a presidential campaign. He has written a book and he certainly wants to go out there and promote that book.
UPDATE: McClellan gave an interview on NBC Thursday morning. Click here to read my observations.
1. A fictious presidency
2. A fictious war
3. Thousands of needless deaths in that war
4. A myriad of lies and deceit
5. Countless high crimes and misdemeanors
6. A great book filled with truth and insights into the corruption, greed and evil that is the Bush Whitehouse
Judy
Posted by: Judy Alexander | May 29, 2008 at 01:48 PM
With the book, interviews, etc. this sounds just like another money grab to me. Money seems to trump real conscience and patriotism these days.
Posted by: Ken | May 29, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Oh my...Scott McClellan spilling his guts...I don't want to wake up from this beautiful dream...!
Posted by: TIM C. | May 29, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Give me a break all you "high crimes theorists" "put Bush and his croonies in prison." loud mouths. Why don't you give us a synopsis of how you responded to Slick Willie and Hillie as they weaved their tangled web of political treachery without even a slap on the wrist. Given the threats to our country I would say Bush should recieve a heros medal for his committment to protecting our country right along with all of the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our safety.
Posted by: JOE FARRELL | May 29, 2008 at 07:56 AM
He's out for money. Typical for an assistent press secretary who got in over his head. Doesn't have the brains to know what the facts are, let alone how to interpret. I frankly could care less about a press secretaries' interpretation of policy. He is a mouth -- nothing more, nothing less
Posted by: Politico | May 29, 2008 at 07:36 AM
I almost forgot about this loser. He was a milktoast wimp when he took over after Ari. He always came across as an amateur wuss. Now he wants some show time. Horrible pick by Bush for sure. A true loser trying to make some bucks. He was the "wanna be" press secretary. He always came across with zero personality, character, substance - no wonder he's writing a book. Who would hire him outside of the Washiington innner circle.
Posted by: Richard Parlier | May 28, 2008 at 08:31 PM
I hope McClellan gains some measure of peace by coming clear on these matters. That Bush & Co. are a gang of liars should be obvious by now to anyone, so dismissal of these very serious charges out of hand only means pure partisanship. I hold common cause with any American of any political stripe, as long as he or she puts the good of the nation above any measly political allegiance. Our allegiance is supposed to be to the Republic and the Constitution, not our leaders of the moment. Thanks, Scott, but there's still a lot of work left to be done. Mind giving the rest of us a hand?
Posted by: David | May 28, 2008 at 07:35 PM
The US media are asking "Is McClellan telling us the truth?" now, but they never asked about truth when they helped this administration beat the drums of war.
So... do we believe McClellan about Bush? The media are *only* asking about truths now because they're too cowardly to ask a more important question:. Did the US media unduly help sell Americans on fighting the Iraq war?
American taxpayers could have saved $1.7-$3 trillion if they had just listened to the international rather than US media about Iraq.
Posted by: RJ Terrell | May 28, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Mc Clellan is a plant by the democrats... all along.... didn't you get that??? what a timing... what an irony... at this presidential election??? As if things would be different.... Bush is great President!!!!
Mc Cllelan is a great pretender to write a book about a "tell all" ...when all the stories he had to tell are all the lies that had been circulating around by these peace niks ... and appeasers...
I forgot... liberal peace niks have a low grade memory... they don't remember anything... but let me remind you if you forget 911 and the 3000 Americans who died in one fell swoop...... how about all the bombings of our embassies all over the world... the Cole bombing...these terrorist whom these peace niks are appeasing have killed civilians and innocent people... But,since US waged war against these animals with Bush leadership... these terrorist in dirty night shirts... have had to think twice....Let me ask you peace niks....have you heard any bombings of our nations interest in and outseide the US? Think about that??? you all fools who could easily be frayed by lies of the worst kind..Why do you have to plant a wolf in sheep's clothing trying to pollute the minds of your already twisted thinking...
Posted by: Annie C. Goldbach | May 28, 2008 at 07:30 PM
The Republican attack dogs are already insinuating that Scott is 1)using a ghost writer, 2) has mental problems, 3) disgruntled employee.
But look at it from McClellan's standpoint on why he didn't come forward sooner. If he called to light the lies of the Bush Administration while the spokesperson, he would have become a political outcast and broke....now he'll be an outcast and rich. Just too bad for the 4000-plus dead men and women and 25,000-plus injured in Iraq....not to mention their families...what a national tragedy. "Evil triumphs when good men do nothing."
Posted by: milbs | May 28, 2008 at 07:29 PM
The Republican attack dogs are already insinuating that Scott is 1)using a ghost writer, 2) has mental problems, 3) disgruntled employee.
But look at it from McClellan's standpoint on why he didn't come forward sooner. If he called to light the lies of the Bush Administration while the spokesperson, he would have become a political outcast and broke....now he'll be an outcast and rich. Just too bad for the 4000-plus dead men and women and 25,000-plus injured in Iraq....not to mention their families...what a national tragedy. "Evil triumphs when good men do nothing."
Posted by: milbs | May 28, 2008 at 07:28 PM
This is so sad because no matter how much evidence of crmes in this administration, it will never held accountable, which just goes to show; the economy is fake, the poilitical system is fake as well as the educational system. That pretty much covers all of the system(s) Rev was talking about, correct?
http://www.bccmeteorites.com/misconduct-planetary.html
Posted by: SRD | May 28, 2008 at 07:25 PM
At the end of the day, we all have to look at ourselves in the mirrow. We have kids dying in Iraq, coming back home with no legs, no arms, other body parts missing, various other injuries physical as well as mental.
And maybe it is his way of cleansing himself, looking for his redemption . . . just maybe he is trying to prevent more unnecessary death and dispair!
But the lesson for all of us, is that you must speak truth to power, even if you are fired, or demoted. He might have saved many lives. He might of helped the President. None of these positions are worth your soul.
Posted by: Keith | May 28, 2008 at 07:17 PM
As a flunkie for the evil Cheney and sockpuppet Bush, McClellan spewed the standard Rovian comeback: "why didn't he raise his concerns sooner?"
Uh, maybe 'cause of the treatment received by everyone and anyone who DID raise concerns about the un-American criminal enterprise known as the Bush Administration.
Just ask Valerie Plame!
Next phase of the Master Plan: John McCain.
No, this time we mean it! He really, really, really, IS a super duper compassionately conservativo. Not a phony one like Bush. A really, really, real "straight talkin" honest as the day is long War Hero. We wouldn't trick you again. Honest. He even wears his genu-ine non-Commie flag pin in the shower, that's how much he loves Americur. So get your John McCain today. Be the first on your block! Trust us! We wouldn't start another phoney war just because we're Republicans!
(I'm Halliburton, and I approved this message.)
Posted by: D MINER | May 28, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Yes its good this came out - late though.
The first expose on many of these same points was printed in Vanity Fair in May, 2004, in an article "The Path to War, the Rush to Invade Iraq."
Why did it take so long for everyone else inside the Beltway and in the media?
It's pathetic
Posted by: Bob | May 28, 2008 at 07:14 PM
Joe Lockhart is available, and would be a good pick...
Posted by: xbjllb | May 28, 2008 at 07:04 PM
This is a great find !
This is irony biting you in the ass !
Posted by: Vince | May 28, 2008 at 06:48 PM
Show his concern like Joe Wilson did ????
Posted by: Billy | May 28, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Why didn't he come forward sooner? Before he wrote the book?
Posted by: JANICE | May 28, 2008 at 06:45 PM
Oooooh that must burn them up. Not to have anybody to push back against. Good move McClellan, though you have to admit, you are a professonal tool.
Posted by: Gyre | May 28, 2008 at 06:44 PM
This is just a ploy to sell his book.
Posted by: JANICE | May 28, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Ooooooo!!!! Guys and gals of the media, don't you get it? There's a *ghost writer* out there who...wait for it...Put Words In Scottie's Mouth.
So goes the next move in PR chess that the GOP is playing over this book. They're trying to blame you guys for going to war in Iraq, they tried to blame you guys for the failure of the war in Iraq (because for some reason covering a failure creates a failure) and now they're going to blame a ghost writer for Scottie's brief moment of lucid truth.
Seriously. Watch for the New Talking Points to be filtered through surrogates...mmmm....I'd say tomorrow afternoon eastern time, or possibly mid-morning after Scottie's interview on the Today Show.
Posted by: grannyhelen | May 28, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Sounds like he needs to get dragged in front of Wexler, et al., so that we go through all the stories once again, and then pretend, once again, that we still don't have enough evidence of "high crimes and misdemeanors" (let alone felonies) to put Bush & Company in prison. Still, it needs to be done.
It would be nice, too, if some of the big news outlets would -- in the course of their regular interviews with various Republicans, plus Pelosi and Lieberman -- get statements to the effect that "high crimes and misdemeanors" (and/or felonies) are proper cause for impeachment and conviction. The inaction is appalling.
Posted by: John from NC | May 28, 2008 at 06:33 PM
I think it is great he came clean. I would tell the truth as seriously as I would serve the president. He did both.
Posted by: Zuludigital | May 28, 2008 at 06:32 PM
There's definitely a pattern forming here!
-Frank
www.voteubele.com
Posted by: Frank | May 28, 2008 at 06:23 PM