Cheney's companion at fault in shooting, White House says

Knight Ridder ^ | 2/13/06

[Carolinamom]

The story is less than 24 hours old, and I'm already tired of hearing about it.

Meanwhile, any chance these reporters could cover the WAR on terrorism?

[Luis Gonzalez]

Can you tell?

[paul51]

Yeah, well, if you're on a highway going 70 and the guy in front of you slams on his breaks, it's your fault if you rear-end him, too.

That's what can happen if you follow people too closely

[econjack]

One of the reporters, the blonde in the second row, asked "Would this be more serious if he had been killed?"...

I heard that from a friend, but dismissed it saying that nobody could be that stupid. Wrong again...

[SuziQ]

What the media is doing is irresponsible, and by that I mean, they're twisting the facts.

Yeah, well, so what's new?

[Howlin]

I heard her myself.

She's the same one who asked if Cheney should resign.

Long blonde hair, right in the middle of the second row.

[nopardons]

bttt

[econjack]

Awh, man...where's the Dunce Cap when you need it? She's probably old enough to vote, too, right?

[edweena]

I'm not a hunter, but comments I've read from people who say they are hunters seem to agree with you. It's always the shooter's responsibility to make sure the target is clear.

According to the transcript at whitehouse.gov, this is what Scott McClellan said:
"I don't know all the specifics about it, but I think Mrs. Armstrong spoke publicly about how this incident occurred. And if I recall, she pointed out that the protocol was not followed by Mr. Whittington, when it came to notifying the others that he was there. And so, you know, unfortunately these types of hunting accidents happen from time to time."

Frankly, it sounds as though Vice-President Cheney is hiding behind Scott McClellan, who's hiding behind Mrs. Armstrong. Instead of making a simple apology, and publicly taking responsibility for making a mistake, Mr. Cheney is remaining out of sight, letting others speak on his behalf, and they are implying that it was the victim's fault.

(And Scott McClellan DID sound as though he were struggling, when he appeared be claiming it took 22 hours for the hunting party and the Secret Service to get Mr. Whittington to the hospital. The White House is doing itself no favors when it sends McClellan out with this kind of line.)

I think these were very bad policy decisions on Mr. Cheney's part. I'd be willing to bet that tomorrow he will be pressured enough that he WILL make a public statement and apology, but it will not have nearly the good effect it could have had if he had done it on Sunday.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Considering that the WV miners survivors story was so batched in the rush to get it out quickly, that so many of the Hurricane Katrina Superbowl stories were concocted, the early calling of elections, etc. happen I want to know what the heck is wrong with waiting!

The media can't seem to get the facts straight in either case. Has nothing to do with "speed and essence of time". The sad part of it is, in this case, they're blinded by their hatred of this administration and their own political ideology and selfish interest.

[Republican Wildcat]

Interesting - the NRA suddenly has credibility with the MSM.

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Interesting - the NRA suddenly has credibility with the MSM.

Enjoy it while it lasts, because sooner rather than later, the NRA will be back on the MSM's "Most Hated" list.

[Liberty Valance]

ROTFL! You're having fun with this, aren't you?

I suppose. We should all be sporting about this mishap and learn from it. It could have been so much worse. I'm grateful that Mr. Whittington is gonna be OK. I know his family would think that. I can only imagine how Vice President Cheney feels right about now. A cautionary tale.

[1035rep]

Apologize to whom?

To the press because they were not notified immediately?

Does he owe you or me an apology?

If he apologized to his friend who else deserves an apology?

[GretchenM]

I cannot see the scandal in this one. There is no law that you call the press right away to report a hunting accident.

Harry Reid is drafting the Constitutional Amendment as I type.

[US_MilitaryRules]

The guy he shot was a lawyer! Get ready to be sued!

[roses of sharon]

OMG, now he has to do Oprah to please the masses?

Lordy, the VP was probably beside himself, and is thanking god his friend was not killed.

So to be treated like a human being he has to go before the media and cry? Whine? What? LOL, to behave like some movie star addicted, abused, or bulimic, and confess his accident? Goodness, no wonder no good men run for office anymore.

[goodnesswins]

HIS staff asked the local authorities what was needed in the way of licensing BEFORE he went, and they were told what to pay, AND they DID....unfortunately, the local bureaucrats FORGOT to tell them about the $7 stamp....AND they expect US to keep track of all the regulations!!!

[Lib-Lickers 2]

seems to me when Clinton busted his ass down Greg Norman's stairs because he was hammered the press bought Clinton's line it was just a freak accident with an "irregular" step hook line and sinker

the press was lied to and they knew it and reported Clinton's version all the same