[Williams]

You're all focusing on what Helen Thoma did, which was admittedly astounding. Imagine all the leading hostile questions teh left wing press hurls at those conferences and then they will attack another reporter for daring to have a "conservative" premise in a question.

But, uh, the White House reaction was zero. Totally anemic, forced by a question. As the reporter brought up, this smarmy Wilson did months of damage with his lies and now the White House is doing nothing to right the wrongs.

If Joe Wilson were a republican the dems would have 55% of Americans HATING him as a villain right now, and blaming all republicans and every reporter who gave Wilson a platform.

[Zack Nguyen]

But, uh, the White House reaction was zero. Totally anemic, forced by a question. As the reporter brought up, this smarmy Wilson did months of damage with his lies and now the White House is doing nothing to right the wrongs.

Well said. This is inexplicable to me. One of the President's enemies has been shown to be a liar, and the White House does nothing.

[Bluegrass Federalist]

My guess is that this is a deliberate strategy. If the WH makes a big issue of it now, the press can't ignore it, and will have on a million liberal guests to immediately spin it, after which they will sweep it under the rug.

If Bush lets the story percolate for a week or more, lets it get legs of its own and lets people get wind of it slowly, then it is "out there" in a way that doesn't look just like a WH denial. THEN the WH can start playing to it more, with greater effect.

Just a possibility.

[Steven W.]

Wilson should be prosecuted for Obstruction of Justice and it's likely the WH realizes this and are continuing to hang low pending further resolution from the prosecutor.