Posted on 05/17/2005 3:22:34 PM PDT by Brian Mosely
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX TUE MAY 17, 2005 18:02:22 ET XXXXX
REVENGE OF THE PRESS: WHITE HOUSE REPORTERS RIP SPOKESMAN OVER NEWSWEEK MESS
Mainline reporters moved into battle-mode today during a White House press briefing -- as one of their own outlets continued to hemorrhage over a now retracted story!
Afghanistan's government said Tuesday that NEWSWEEK should be held responsible for damages caused by deadly anti-American demonstrations after the magazine alleged U.S. desecration of the Quran.
The White House said the United States' image abroad had suffered irreparable damage by the story.
But it was the press's turn to fight back as Bush spokesman Scott McClellan opened his briefing to questions.
[Joined in progess]
Q With respect, who made you the editor of Newsweek? Do you think it's appropriate for you, at that podium, speaking with the authority of the President of the United States, to tell an American magazine what they should print?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not telling them. I'm saying that we would encourage them to help --
Q You're pressuring them.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I'm saying that we would encourage them --
Q It's not pressure?
MR. McCLELLAN: Look, this report caused serious damage to the image of the United States abroad. And Newsweek has said that they got it wrong. I think Newsweek recognizes the responsibility they have. We appreciate the step that they took by retracting the story. Now we would encourage them to move forward and do all that they can to help repair the damage that has been done by this report. And that's all I'm saying. But, no, you're absolutely right, it's not my position to get into telling people what they can and cannot report....
Q Are you asking them to write a story about how great the American military is; is that what you're saying here?
MR. McCLELLAN: Elisabeth, let me finish my sentence. Our military --
Q You've already said what you're -- I know what -- how it ends.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I'm coming to your question, and you're not letting me have a chance to respond. But our military goes out of their way to handle the Koran with care and respect. There are policies and practices that are in place. This report was wrong. Newsweek, itself, stated that it was wrong. And so now I think it's incumbent and -- incumbent upon Newsweek to do their part to help repair the damage. And they can do that through ways that they see best, but one way that would be good would be to point out what the policies and practices are in that part of the world, because it's in that region where this report has been exploited and used to cause lasting damage to the image of the United States of America. It has had serious consequences. And so that's all I'm saying, is that we would encourage them to take steps to help repair the damage. And I think that they recognize the importance of doing that. That's all I'm saying.
Q As far as the Newsweek article is concerned, first, how and where the story came from? And do you think somebody can investigate if it really happened at the base, and who told Newsweek? Because somebody wrote a story.
MR. McCLELLAN: I think Newsweek has talked about it. They took it --
Developing...
I agree
Seems to me the liberals in the media/press are circling the wagons to protect Newsweek and Isikoff
Bad Bad Move imo
Heard the same as you, it was Terry Moran who asked "Who made you editor of Newsweek?" to Scott. The entire thread here has been based on the premise it was Elizabeth, because Scott is on record using her name in a series of exchanges. There is a second thread started on this, and they reference the thread here to once again say that Elizabeth is the questioner. They didn't get your memo of correction, Mo...but when you think about it, these people are all the same.
You just had to tell me that, didn't you? That does it; the next time I am close to him, I'm going to HAVE to say something to him. I used remarkable restraint last time; start saving bail money.
....these pathetic journalists are really A-holes....
I have to say .. I'm not really surprised he asked a question like that
I wish Scott McClelland would mention their names when a reporter asked a question .. that way when we read the transcript .. we know who asked what
With McClellan as spokesmen the WH is going to get "tough" not a chance. This guy is nothing but a punching bag.
Just because it is not discernible to YOU doesn't make it so.
Right...she was part of the Newsweek counterattack. Too bad, though, that everyone was confused for so long as to who asked that horrible "Who made you editor of Newsweek?" question, and that the despicable Terry Moran was allowed to skate. I'm with you that all press secretaries should make sure each questionner is ID'ed. The "public has a right to know" who these people are. :o) By the way, I linked those on the second thread to your and Alyssa's comments on this one, and I added my own testimony that I heard Moran on the tape.
I picked up on it immediately, and, like you, was incensed.
Gross - she looks at least 50 pounds overweight. Maybe a Florida judge should remove her feeding tube?
Hah! This is the typical liberal comeback - everybody else does it and Republicans are more guilty than we!
Without a doubt this seems to be the gyst of it.
"remember Clinton shaking his finger at them and he"
CLinton shook something else at them and they all got on their knees for it!
It seems to me that your post, instead of indicating an increase in respect for Karl Rove, insteads shows utter contempt for him.
Unless, of course, you were joking -- in which case, never mind.
Oops on the mispelling of Reported sorry !
Moran or Bumiller. Bumiller or Moran. Doesn't really matter because the only difference between the two is the color of the panties they wear.
Clinton did that until Isikoff got a hold of him... ;)
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