CBS Reporter Questions Whether White House Delayed Clarke Book

Talon News ^ | 3/24/2004 | Jeff Gannon, White House Correspondent

[ConservativeMajority]

WASHINGTON (Talon News) -- A veteran CBS correspondent grilled the White House Tuesday about its role in delaying the publication of Richard Clarke's book critical of the Bush administration's handling of the al Qaeda threat before 9/11.

CBS correspondent Bill Plante peppered Press Secretary Scott McClellan with questions concerning the security review process that books by former administration officials must undergo to ensure that classified material is not made public.

Plante stated, "[Clarke] says that the book could have been published in December, but for the White House security review process."

McClellan responded, "His book went through the normal review process. This is standard practice to make sure that classified information is not inadvertently released."

"Dick Clarke could have released his book at any time, but the fact is he chose to release it at a time and in a way where he could maximize coverage to sell books, and at a time when he could have the impact to influence the political discourse," McClellan added. "That's very clear."

The press secretary went on to say, "If he had such grave concerns, he could have raised those a year ago when he was leaving the administration."

The CBS correspondent continued to press for a statement on when the book was cleared for publication, and McClellan shot back, "Keep in mind that his publisher put out that it would come out at the end of April."

He added, "He chose to release it at a time when he could influence the political discourse."

CBS has come under fire for failing to disclose that it has a financial interest in the book featured on its Sunday night news program "60 Minutes." The book, "Against All Enemies," was published by the network's sister company, Simon & Schuster.

Plante made no mention of any conflict of interest during his questioning of the White House.

Copyright © 2004 Talon News -- All rights reserved.

[smith288]

McClellan should have said "Does it even matter what I say? You guys just keep asking the same stupid questions over and over and don't hold any of our accusers to the same level of scrutiny... So why should I bother even showing up to this thing? You guys like hearing the sound of your own voices anyways."

[PogySailor]

I would say this is unbelievable chutzpa on the part of CBS, but it's not.

[Califelephant]

CBS correspondent Bill Plante peppered Press Secretary Scott McClellan with questions

Meaningless, biased questions from a biased correspondent working for a biased news operation.

[cripplecreek]

Don Imus called Leslie Stahl a "gutless lying weasel" for ignoring viacoms stake in the book.

[CitizenJ]

does anyone have an email address for Plante?

[sarasota]

And what if the White House did delay the book? Good timing. And perhaps coordinated with Jim's report from Fox this morning? Kudos.

[Polyxene]

HUH?? I thought the publication was pushed UP to coincide with the 9-11 hearings!!!

[jigsaw]

does anyone have an email address for Plante?

PottedPlante@SeeBS.Commie

[1Old Pro]

Plante made no mention of any conflict of interest (at CBS) during his questioning of the White House.

Of course not.

[AngieGOP]

As if CBS or any other liberal organization would actually listen to the Bush Whitehouse. What a joke.

[roses of sharon]

Bill Plante is married to a liberal activist.

She makes films for feminists and Dem candidates.

His bio has her name, google it.

Everyone should look up these "journalist's" bios, all elite, married to elites and Dems, born on the East Coast, worked only for gov or media, and educated at liberal elite schools.

[an amused spectator]

Media Shenanigans ping - Bill Plante's Boss At Viacom Sics Him On The White House

On, Off, or grab it for a Media Shenanigans/Schadenfreude ping:
http://www.freerepublic.com/~anamusedspectator/

[b4its2late]

This is unbelievable. Rush said the book publish date was moved up a month to coincide with these hearings.. And CBS moved up their interview with Clarke too, both owned by Viacom. He said it was orginally all supposed to happen in April 04, not March 04. Bill Plante is a nut.

[martin_fierro]

I would say this is unbelievable chutzpa on the part of CBS, but it's not.

I'd say it IS unbelievable chutzpa on the part of CBS -- just not unusual. <|:)~

[SuziQ]

The press secretary went on to say, "If he had such grave concerns, he could have raised those a year ago when he was leaving the administration."
The CBS correspondent continued to press for a statement on when the book was cleared for publication, and McClellan shot back, "Keep in mind that his publisher put out that it would come out at the end of April."

Way to go, Scott!

[an amused spectator]

He was born on Jan. 14, 1938, in Chicago. Plante was graduated from Loyola University in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in humanities, and he studied political science at Columbia University (1963-64). He and his wife, Robin Smith, an award-winning independent documentary producer, live in Washington, D.C. Plante has six sons.

[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

I would say this is unbelievable chutzpa on the part of CBS, but it's not.

Not what? Unbelievable? or Chutzpa? :~D

[Howlin]

Plante made no mention of any conflict of interest during his questioning of the White House.

He also made no mention of the fact that HE was present at the 2002 "briefing."

[Fledermaus]

CBS is again proving they are TOTALLY BIASED.

And anyone that doesn't believe it is a total moron.