Sympathy For Scott?

Would you rather be Mike McCurry during the Monica Lewinsky scandal? Or Scott McClellan right now? Tough call, but here's a great example of the daily back-and-forth taking place during the White House press briefings. (thanks to TPMCafe for flagging this) QUESTION: Scott, is it true that the President -- SCOTT McCLELLAN: Welcome back. QUESTION: Thanks. Is it true that the President slapped Karl Rove upside the head a couple of years ago over the CIA leak? SCOTT McCLELLAN: Are you referring to, what, a New York Daily News report? Two things: One, we're not commenting on an ongoing investigation; two, and I would challenge the overall accuracy of that news account. QUESTION: That's a comment. QUESTION: Which part of it? QUESTION: Yes, that is. QUESTION: Which facts -- SCOTT McCLELLAN: No, I'm just saying -- no, I'm just trying to help you all. QUESTION: So what facts are you challenging? SCOTT McCLELLAN: Again, I'm not going to comment on an ongoing investigation. QUESTION: You can't say you're challenging the facts and then not say which ones you're challenging. SCOTT McCLELLAN: Yes, I can. I just did. (Laughter.) more after the jump QUESTION: Scott, let me come back to -- so you say you're challenging the accuracy, but you won't tell us why. Why would it be irresponsible for us to report that? SCOTT McCLELLAN: Report what? QUESTION: What you said -- SCOTT McCLELLAN: It's up to you what you want to report. I'm just trying to -- QUESTION: Well, if you want us to say it's inaccurate, you need to give us a reason why, or it wouldn't be responsible to report it. SCOTT McCLELLAN: Well, there's an ongoing investigation, and as you know, our policy is not to comment on it. So that's where we are. QUESTION: You just did. SCOTT McCLELLAN: Go ahead. QUESTION: Based on your personal knowledge, based on your opinion, based on your frustration with the story -- what caused you to say that? SCOTT McCLELLAN: No, I mean, I read the story and I didn't view it as an accurate story. QUESTION: Why not? SCOTT McCLELLAN: Again, I'm not going to go any further than that. There's an ongoing investigation. This is bringing up matters related to an ongoing investigation. QUESTION: After you read the story, Scott, did you check with either the two people mentioned, the President or Rove, to ask them? Is that what you base -- SCOTT McCLELLAN: I don't have any further comment, Peter. QUESTION: Well, is that what you base your guidance on, or is it just -- you know, is it just you're feeling that this couldn't have happened? SCOTT McCLELLAN: I stand by what I just said and I'm going to leave it at that. ... QUESTION: No, just some details on why you're challenging the facts of this case by the briefing would be great. SCOTT McCLELLAN: Because you asked the question. QUESTION: No, I think we're all interested to know on what basis you're challenging it. SCOTT McCLELLAN: Like I said, I'll be glad to talk about the investigation once it has come to a conclusion, but until that time -- QUESTION: You're on the record now. We expect you to really talk about it. SCOTT McCLELLAN: I'm on the record every day. QUESTION: Well, I mean, this is really -- you have said you really are going to go into a deep, profiled explanation -- SCOTT McCLELLAN: No, I said I'd be glad to talk about it. I don't know all the facts, Helen. QUESTION: Didn't you say you were going to write a book about it? (Laughter.) QUESTION: I mean when it's all over, you said you were going to give us a total explanation -- SCOTT McCLELLAN: Exclusive interview for John Roberts. QUESTION: A PowerPoint presentation, the whole thing. (Laughter.) SCOTT McCLELLAN: No, I'm not committing to that. Welcome back. I'm glad your gloves are left back there. (Laughter.) QUESTION: Was that particular story part of what you shared with the President today from highlights of the news? SCOTT McCLELLAN: Again, you have my comment on it and I'll leave it there.

Fishbowl

Sympathy For Scott?

Patrick

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