Well, that describes pretty much what modern WH press secretaries do. Personally, I think there's been too much emphasis on WH press secs, and some of the WH press corps ask questions that should be directed to either the DoJ or the DoD or the State Department.
If you keep in mind the WH press Secy is supposed to be the face of the president......what he would say if standing at the podium...... you know we got real problems.