Posted on 02/14/2006 5:31:24 PM PST by jmc1969
Fleischer, who was Bush's first press secretary - from 2001 to 2003 - told E&P that Cheney's accidental shooting of Texas attorney Harry Whittington on Saturday during a hunting trip should not have taken nearly a day to be reported.
"It would have been better if the vice president and/or his staff had come out last Saturday night or first thing Sunday morning and announced it," he said during a phone interview Tuesday. "It could have and should have been handled differently."
But Fleischer also took a jab at the reporting frenzy surrounding the story, saying most Americans are not as focused on it as the White House press corps. "The press is largely right on the issue--but it can be right and go too far," he added.
He also said that if he were still in the White House, he would urge the vice president's office to take some of the heat off Bush's staff: "I think you go to the vice president and say, 'you need to be handling this.'"
Fleischer's comments came just hours after Marlin Fitzwater, who served as press secretary to Bush's father and Ronald Reagan, also criticized Cheney, telling E&P he was "appalled" at the response to the incident.
(Excerpt) Read more at editorandpublisher.com ...
Why this refrain? Why keep harping on this, if you don't have another agenda?
I love how you shift the end zone.
Cheny would not have to have flown back to DC. He would not have to hold a full press conference.
He could have let the White House PR office issue a press release first thing Sunday morning, after ensuring that Whittington's family had been notified and Whittington's condition was stabilized.
This aint' rocket science. This is basic PR.
Where in hell is Mary Matalin? I thought she was involved in Cheney's operation.
I despise the media, but they can be stomped down by one press conference, either from Cheney or his chief of staff.
Until then, the press roar will continue.......
What it's time for is this gawd awful stampede by the demanding press to manipulate this White House.
I don't blame Cheney for not telling them; look how they're acting now -- imagine them at that ranch on Saturday night.
As for it bleeding over on Bush, try to imagine something that doesn't. Frankly, I'm sick of the press and I'm glad Cheney stuck it to them.
And I'd bet my house Bush agrees with him.
Some Freepers. There it is. LOL. Thank you for playing.
Their feigning "concern" for the President, like clockwork, I can time it now!
LOL
Nah, you said this:
you and the press want Cheney's head on a stick.
And said this
From scanning your posts on this thread, anybody with a brain can see you're out for Cheney.
But you never implied such.
Quit while you're ahead, Howlin. Words have meaning and you're trying to pretend they don't.
And why is that???
It was online by noon .. yet many in the media didn't pick it up for many hours
And why is that???
Because the reporters were off doing their own thing??
Well, maybe he just feels sorry for Scott McClellan.
It was a tough spot to be in for McClellan.
I sure wish they used that HIPPA privacy law, though.
I'd feel a little more sympathetic to Ari is he had bothered to speak UP for Bush before now.
As far as I know, he hasn't defended Bush since he left the White House.
How about Monday? Or today? Or tomorrow?
At this point, any day will do.
My only concern is how this is overshadowing Bush and his message. And it is overshadowing Bush, big time.
It's time for "big time" to step up to the plate and face the music.
That's pretty absurd, Howlin.
The people who cut the gas line are at primary fault.
As is the man who pulled the trigger.
Any more failed metaphors you wish to pull on me tonight?
I guess you don't know how to pick up the hint of a hypothetical situations either
You know, Sunday morning WH press corps thinks it's safe in indulging in boozy brunches. I guess they were caught drinking on the job, n'est pas?
Judgement calls regarding downfield firing, Howlin. There is a .PDF of the investigation on the Corpus Christi Caller websiste in case you're interested.
I'd bet he doesn't. Contrast this brouhaha with the way Bush handled the New York Times leak of the NSA program. Bush jumped on it the next morning with a personal appearance and strong speech. He had the press back on their heels.
Cheney's getting beaten up, for no reason. He has only himself to blame, for hiding.
Perhaps you can tell me when Ari has defended this White House since he left?
Did he defend them during Katrina?
Did he defend them during Plamegate?
Did he defend them during the NSA leaks?
Those are all manufactured stories, too, driven by a press out to get Bush and Cheney.
Did he speak up then?
If not, he should keep his damn mouth shut.
And Cheney will speak out about it .. but I don't think it will be to the likes of David Gregory
As for overshadowing Bush .. if it wasn't this .. it would be something else ..you know how they are
The liberal press/media has been doing this since he took office .. and they always end up looking like fools
And they are looking and acting like fools with this also
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