How Ari Fleischer Just Proved To Me The White House Press Corps Are Uneducated Dolts

CSPAN ^

[Recovering_Democrat]

from the transcript:
But as you know, Congress is bound by CBO numbers. But after the budget is passed, then it's the OMB numbers that prevail. And so it's a very complicated budget process -- it always has been -- where Congress has to use CBO numbers as the process moves through the Congress, but after a matter is signed into law and becomes a matter of administration, the courts have recognized that OMB numbers prevail. Q I didn't think there was a set rule for that. MR. FLEISCHER: Yes, there is. There's a court case that settled it. Q One other thing. MR. FLEISCHER: You may put people to sleep with this. Maybe not. Q What did you mean, "may"? (Laughter.) Q Ari, what was that court case, can you get us that court citation? MR. FLEISCHER: That was, there was a suit against the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act in the '80s -- or the '90s, I'm sorry. And the courts ruled that it's a matter of administration. And when it comes to matters of administration of appropriated accounts, only the executive agency can be authoritative. And that's why the court held that OMB has the final role.

Now look, I didn't know this basic fact about budgeting and government work. But then again I'm not paid 6 figures a year to be immersed in the minuataie of Washington, D.C.'s inner workings. Some of these reporters, like Helen Thomas, have been there for years. But from the sound of the room during the press conference, everyone except Ari sounded surprised at this "revelation".

Have you ever heard a network newscast say OMB (Executive Branch)numbers are the ones that rule the actual budget?? Probably not, since these supposed "experts" didn't KNOW it.

Thank God for CSPAN and people like Ari Fleischer. Maybe someday the lapdog liberal press will learn how to spell "Constitution".

[okie01]

Maybe someday the lapdog liberal press will learn how to spell "Constitution".

Your expectations are far too high.

The word isn't even on their Spell-checker...

[El Gato]

Some of these reporters, like Helen Thomas, have been there for years

Years? Try decades. It seems like centuries in her case, but it's not quite been *that* long.

[Utah Girl]

I was pretty impressed that he quoted the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act right off the top of his head. Very quick he was today. And he sure zinged good ole Helen today.