Scott McClellan, former White House Press Secretary, has accused the Bush Administration of "being mired in propaganda and political spin, and at times playing loose with the truth". He cites National Security advisers confusing propaganda with candor, and how he was deceived into passing along a falsehood which he didn't realize until reporters dug up the truth. How he lied about the leak of Valerie Plame's name to the media because the Bush Administration was twisting facts to justify the War in Iraq which, Valerie's husband, Ambassador Joseph Wilson went public with. All these proved fatal to his ability to serve the President well, wrote McClelland in a 341 page book to be released on Monday.
The White House reacted in typical fashion. White House Spokeswoman Dana Perino says "We're puzzled. This is not the Scott we knew", as if to imply that Scott is being pressured to lie. Frances Townsend adds that the revelation is "self-serving, disingenuous, and unprofessional". Former White House Adviser Karl Rove gave his standard reply as something that sounds more like it "was written by a left wing blogger than a former colleague". None of these statements confirm or deny McClellan's accusations in the book. The reactions complete a pattern of: (a) expressing surprise, (b) moral indignation to cast aspersions on intent, (c) and labeling to dismiss any serious discussion or debate on the subject.
Scott's revelations doesn't come as a surprise. These were mentioned by people a few years back when it seemed unpatriotic to do so, that was how the propaganda went. Former White House Counterterrorism Chief Richard Clarke said the same things, that it was a disastrous war and was sold with deception; and they said to him the same things they are saying to McClellan now.
In a related development, three
network anchors agreed that the Bush Administration put extraordinary pressure on the media during the run up to the Iraq war. Brian Williams (NBC), Katie Couric (CBS), and Charles Gibson (ABC). Williams cites media's inability to verify the administration's allegations independently and that they didn't have proximity with the weapons inspectors. As it turns out, allegations of weapons of mass destruction were fantasies of the Bush Government. He mentioned that reports on the war were asked to hew to the administration's scripted line which were relayed by the White House and the Pentagon to news organizations. Couric added that threats of being blocked access to information were also issued if they didn't comply.
As far as the information provided by Scott is concerned, most, if not all, of what he said have already been accepted and absorbed by those who oppose the war. It is only those who are fanatical about the party who continue to be in denial, and force themselves to consume the excrement being dished out by the Bush Administration. But this is beyond Bush. This will only hurt John McCain whose vow to continue with the war is weakened by the fact that it was based on a lie. Will McCain continue to spend money and risk lives for a lie? His political asset is now a liability.
As for Scott McClellan, the only reason he has made this expose is obvious, there is a market for it. And his timing is perfect too especially if he looks to get even with the Republicans. As far as swallowing the line that he was deceived, only fools would believe that. Unless he was too dumb to see the evidence of the truth since 2003, which is why he only resigned in 2006. And old sea adage says it all. "You know that the vessel is sinking when the rats start jumping ship". Scott McClellan is no hero, he's just one of the rats.
Harrrrrwwwwk...Twooooooph...Ting!
The White House reacted in typical fashion. White House Spokeswoman Dana Perino says "We're puzzled. This is not the Scott we knew", as if to imply that Scott is being pressured to lie. Frances Townsend adds that the revelation is "self-serving, disingenuous, and unprofessional". Former White House Adviser Karl Rove gave his standard reply as something that sounds more like it "was written by a left wing blogger than a former colleague". None of these statements confirm or deny McClellan's accusations in the book. The reactions complete a pattern of: (a) expressing surprise, (b) moral indignation to cast aspersions on intent, (c) and labeling to dismiss any serious discussion or debate on the subject.
Scott's revelations doesn't come as a surprise. These were mentioned by people a few years back when it seemed unpatriotic to do so, that was how the propaganda went. Former White House Counterterrorism Chief Richard Clarke said the same things, that it was a disastrous war and was sold with deception; and they said to him the same things they are saying to McClellan now.
In a related development, three
network anchors agreed that the Bush Administration put extraordinary pressure on the media during the run up to the Iraq war. Brian Williams (NBC), Katie Couric (CBS), and Charles Gibson (ABC). Williams cites media's inability to verify the administration's allegations independently and that they didn't have proximity with the weapons inspectors. As it turns out, allegations of weapons of mass destruction were fantasies of the Bush Government. He mentioned that reports on the war were asked to hew to the administration's scripted line which were relayed by the White House and the Pentagon to news organizations. Couric added that threats of being blocked access to information were also issued if they didn't comply.
As far as the information provided by Scott is concerned, most, if not all, of what he said have already been accepted and absorbed by those who oppose the war. It is only those who are fanatical about the party who continue to be in denial, and force themselves to consume the excrement being dished out by the Bush Administration. But this is beyond Bush. This will only hurt John McCain whose vow to continue with the war is weakened by the fact that it was based on a lie. Will McCain continue to spend money and risk lives for a lie? His political asset is now a liability.
As for Scott McClellan, the only reason he has made this expose is obvious, there is a market for it. And his timing is perfect too especially if he looks to get even with the Republicans. As far as swallowing the line that he was deceived, only fools would believe that. Unless he was too dumb to see the evidence of the truth since 2003, which is why he only resigned in 2006. And old sea adage says it all. "You know that the vessel is sinking when the rats start jumping ship". Scott McClellan is no hero, he's just one of the rats.
Harrrrrwwwwk...Twooooooph...Ting!
8 comments:
Mcclellan's 'revelations' only reinforce the information that is out there already. That being said, a Bush insider turning on the admin is quite extraordinary given the tight lid that gang once had on info.
hello Durano :)
well I haven't heard that saying about the rats before !!!
it certainly sums up the situation perfectly though :)
To be honest, I thought the guy was jumping off the boat a bit too late. Hello, it's 2008: we all know the Bush administration was corrupted and used propaganda to go fight in Middle East...
Hi Solomonsydelle,
There is a strong feeling that this will be a Democrat year, and all these folks that have resigned from the "gang that couldn't shoot straight" want to be in good favors with the incoming party.
Except for a few personal details of his involvement, nothing is new. It's a way of washing his hands and dirty linen in public. But I don't think he fooled anybody. He's as guilty as the rest of them. :-) --Durano, done!
Hello Kim,
It is a fact that rats do jump ship first. Somehow they can sense that the vessel, perhaps by its sound and vibration, is about to sink.
The ship of state under Bush is really sinking. More rats will follow before November I suppose. :-) --Durano, done!
Hi Zhu,
It is too late! He was with Bush since the "Decider" was Governor of Texas, and therefore knew what went on in Florida during the 2000 election that Al Gore lost.
How could he serve a fraudulent President. He was the spokesman of the campaign at the time.
Then this was followed by the war in Iraq which they twisted and lied about. He's only coming out "well laundered" now because he knows the Republicans are washed up in the polls this November. He needs security and new friends from the democrats.A true blue royal asses RAT. :-)--Durano, done!
McKillins Book is just another case of Bash Bush therefore Bash McCain.
Next!
Hi DD2,
I doubt if this book will make any difference. If what he says is true, then he cannot convincingly come out clean, and he doesn't.
There is nothing as hateful as a dirty RAT. :-) --Durano, done!
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