As I recall, most of Bush’s press secretaries were total incompetents. At this distance, I get a bit confused, but I think Ari Fleischer was one of those.
Alex Koppelman at Salon was not impressed (with Ari). Now Alex might be a “a delusional liberal pantywaist… who still rides a bicycle. By choice. On the sidewalk.” (Kathy Shaidle) but his take on Libby lawyer Ted Wells view of Fleischer is worth a punt
"After explaining that Fleischer agreed to testify only after getting immunity, Wells listed the reasons that government witnesses might be less credible than the prosecution has suggested: Memories change, notes can affect recollections, and some witnesses may have their own agendas. This last bit, Wells made clear, was all about Fleischer." If you’ve ever watched a mob trial, especially one involving witnesses who have been “flipped” by the government to testify against their former colleagues, then you’ll probably be familiar with what Wells intends to accomplish by talking about Fleischer’s deal: Call into question the credibility of the witness by suggesting that he may be telling more than he really knows in order to get a sweetheart deal from the governnment.
Tony Snow was about 1000 sts of sheer brilliance in that position. May he rest in peace.