Posted on 04/05/2005 4:32:38 PM PDT by denver larry
The second blogger allowed into the White House briefing room became the first blogger to actually ask press secretary Scott McClellan a question last week.
Eric Brewer, a scientist by trade and one of a handful of contributors to a small, liberal blog called BTC News, got his chance toward the end of Friday's briefing.
The question he asked was a good one, on a topic that's probably of great interest to an awful lot of people.
It's also precisely the kind of question your typical full-time White House correspondent doesn't ask anymore -- because there's simply no point. You're not going to get an answer.
Here's the question Brewer asked, by his own account in a shaky voice:
"Back to the report on the botched WMD intelligence, have the massive intelligence failures documented in the report caused the President to rethink his policy of preventive war?"
It's a good question because the doctrine of preemption is one of the most defining and precedent-shattering elements of the Bush canon. The apparently sorry state of the U.S. intelligence apparatus makes it entirely unclear whether the doctrine is still in effect -- and under what circumstances it could again be called into service.
In fact, it's a question that not only many Americans, but also many people across the world, would probably like answered.
But the response, such as it was, was classic McClellan. In fact, it could literally have been stitched together from previous McClellan responses to similar questions.
Here's what McClellan said, from the transcript...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Just logged on here today so you could spew that garbage ..??
So what's your real point ..??
Huck wanted to know how he got the job. I pointed out his political connections. Nothing more than that. I don't think he is Ari's caliber but he is holding his own with MSM.
today is march 4th?
As one who thought that during the campaingn, Scott was hurting W..I think now I understand the strategy..Ari was hsarp, and svery slick..stuff either rebounded off him, or slipped off to the side..Scott is like a slightly sticky Play-Do...shapeless..you can beat it, bend it..it takes it all..yet it adheres to you slightly..I think he tires out the reporters...they've given up...the WH wins if the media are already concedeing defeat before the presser starts..it's the journalistic equivalent of the "rope-a-dope"
Well .. I think he's great!
And .. why does he have to be compared to Ari. They are both very different people .. but I think it's disingenuous to compare them like they are built out of the same cloth - they aren't and that just fine with me.
Interesting take you have on McClellan as opposed to Fleischer. hmmm...sharp and slick vs. slightly sticky Play-Do. But I think you may be giving someone too much credit here with the rope-a-dope scenario.
I still much prefer Ari. Smarta## with an engaging smile. :o)
Attacking the wrong country ( not saying we did in this case ) is just as good as the right one. Maybe even better. Then all the neighboring nations are looking at each other and making sure no one gets out of line lest they get bombed for what their neighbor did.
I agree, except what the heck is "preventive war?"
And that VILE Helen Thomas "you mean the ones who are alive?"
Don't ya just wanna gag her???
So .. denver harry can't speak for himself ..??
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