May 12, 2006

He thought he could just meet informally with the press away from the briefing room.

But it became barely controlled chaos when everybody from Time magazine to the Hokkaido Shimbun showed up, filling the room and pouring out the door. "There's a lot of us out here in the hallway, and we can't hear any of this conversation!" called out the Associated Press's Jennifer Loven, one of 60 jostling reporters.

Snow melted. "We'll move it back into the briefing room," he conceded. "I had this wonderful idea that this would be nice and collegial and relaxed, but it obviously at this point is just a mess."

It was 9:29. Snow's first official edict as press secretary had survived 11 minutes.
[From the New Kid, Proceedings With Caution - Washington Post - 05-13-06]

April 26, 2006

As the White House announces today their pick for new Press Secretary, FOX News commentator and now White House Press Secretary Tony Snow had this to say in his April 26, 2006 column.

One of the things that always made me feel good in the morning was waking up and realizing I did not belong to the same political party as Chuck Schumer. It made me feel clean -- even before I took a shower. But now, with my Republican president pulling a "full Schumer," even a series of showers will not help.
[Bush and Schumer together -- oh my - TownHall - 04-26-06]

"My Republican president pulling a 'full Schumer?'" Let the press corps questions begin.

UPDATE 8:17AM: Conservative 2008 Presidential hopeful Sen. George Allen (R-VA) just made the following comments on FOX in response to the White House announcement that hints at the Senator's possible picks as president for the most wacky cabinent in American history.

I think it's a great choice. The best thing that Tony's going to do is bring the pulse of the American people into the White House in those deliberations. People like Laura Ingram, and Tony, and Hannity and, uh, Rush Limbaugh, they understand what's going on in the world, and I think that's going to be very helpful for the White House as they develop policy to move this country forward. So I congratulate Tony. Great choice by the President, and I think it will be good for the American people, too, to have one of their advocates clearly in the White House having the pulse of the people in the real world.
[Senator George Allen - FOXNews - 04-26-06]

February 14, 2006

First, the White House claimed information on a shooting involving the Vice President was delayed because they were so focused on the victim getting medical attention.

QUESTION: Scott, do you think that the shooting accident involving the Vice President on Saturday should have been disclosed to the public on Saturday?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that the first priority was making sure that Harry Whittington, Mr. Whittington was getting the medical care that he needed, and I think that's where everybody's attention should have been focused and was focused when the hunting accident took place.
[WHPB - 02-13-06]

And now that the victim has suffered a heart attack due to being shot by the Vice President, the White House wants America to stop caring so much and just "move on."

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm glad to answer your questions, but I think we went through it thoroughly yesterday. It is what it is, and I think it's time to move on for the American people. [WHPB - 02-14-06]

Mr. Whittington's check must have cleared the bank.

February 13, 2006

Required "upland game bird stamp?" Nah. Hunter Education Certified? Nah. Most hunters respect firearms, hunting laws and police efforts to investigate accidents. Gun rights advocates and gun enthusiasts pride themselves on following the law and argue for tougher enforcement of gun and hunting laws, instead of more laws, to protect the public against ignorant people.

Was Katherine Armstong telling the truth when she claimed to share this information with the public on her own? Scott McClellan only knows what Dick Cheney told him, and America trusts Dick.

QUESTION: Katherine Armstrong talked to CNN Sunday evening. She said that she thought this was going to become a story, so she was going to go to the local press. She also told CNN that she did not believe the Vice President's Office was aware that she was going to go to the local press. How do you square that with your account that they were coordinating their --

MR. McCLELLAN: The Vice President spoke with her directly and they agreed that she would make it public.

QUESTION: So you're saying that she is lying, that her statement is not correct?

MR. McCLELLAN: No. You ought to check with her.

QUESTION: Well, we did check with her. So you're saying that's not correct?

MR. McCLELLAN: The Vice President spoke directly with Mrs. Armstrong and they agreed that she would make the information public.
[WHPB - 02-13-06]

December 08, 2005

QUESTION: Will Senator Lieberman also be celebrating Christmas with the President and First Lady at the Western White House?

QUESTION: Secondly, have you seen Howard Dean's comments this morning? Do you see that as a clarification of what he said --

MR. McCLELLAN: As a clarification? What was his clarification, that his comments that we can't win in Iraq were taken a little out of context?

QUESTION: Yes.

MR. McCLELLAN: I think it highlights the problems within the Democratic Party. You have a lot of disarray and disagreement within the Democratic Party. You have some that are advocating like he is, to -- that we can't win and that we should cut and run and retreat. You have some that are trying to score political points off the situation on the ground or off media reports. And then you have a few within the Democratic Party, like Senator Lieberman, who understand the stakes that are involved in Iraq, and understand the importance of winning and know that we will win. They have great confidence in our troops, and they know that our troops will succeed.

And what the President is emphasizing is a plan for victory, and a way to get there. And what others are emphasizing is immediate withdrawal of troops, or artificial timetables. That's a plan for defeat.

QUESTION: Is Senator Lieberman getting a holiday invitation to the ranch by any chance? (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead.

QUESTION: Or to the Pentagon?
[White House Press Briefing - White House - 12-08-05]

December 07, 2005

When asked why President Bush invoked Santa Clause instead of Jesus in his speech on the meaning of Christmas, White House spokesman Scott McClellan urged us to think of the children as the War on Christmas rages on.

QUESTION: Scott, just one question today. At yesterday's briefing, the transcript records my quoting the President in his saying, "Each year we gather here to celebrate the season of hope and joy and to remember the story of one humble life that lifted the sights of humanity. Santa, thanks for coming." When I asked you WorldNet Daily's question, will the President apologize to Christians offended by his referring to Jesus as Santa, you responded, "The President meant exactly what he said, Les." But last night, I received an email which had your name on it, which said there were two separate -- (laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: Keep working on my emails, sending you things.

QUESTION: There were two separate thoughts --

MR. McCLELLAN: Must have been a little -- must have been a little elf. (Laughter.)

QUESTION: Well, wait a minute, let me just tell you what was on the email --

MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead. I want to give you the stage.

QUESTION: -- which it said, there were --

MR. McCLELLAN: I think I know where you're going with this.

QUESTION: -- two separate thoughts -- after he spoke about the meaning of Christmas, he then recognized Santa. And first of all, I want to ask, was that your email? And was it your final and conclusive answer rather than, the President meant --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, it was my email. He wasn't, as you phrased it yesterday, comparing the two. Santa was at the event for the children that were there, and I don't think you want to take Santa away from all those children.
[White House Press Briefing - White House - 12-07-05]

December 02, 2005

Just a few minutes ago, I went over to the White House website to read today's press briefing, and what did I find? More proof that the White House has joined the liberal secular attack on Christmas! Below that, click today's White House Press Briefing to see the White House challenged by Les Kinsolving on their role in the War On Christmas.

QUESTION: Scott, a two-part question. I'm sure that I am not alone in being very grateful for the President and Mrs. Bush's invitation to what used to be the Christmas party for the media, but which now reads, "A Holiday Reception." And I hope -- my question is, I hope you and the President will understand, given the recent statement by Speaker Hastert emphasizing Christmas, why I am compelled to ask why the Bush White House has eliminated Christmas and replaced it with the world "holiday"?

MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know that that's accurate, that the Bush White House eliminated --

QUESTION: It is. Yes, it's no longer Christmas. It says, "holiday."

MR. McCLELLAN: This is a time to welcome people of all faiths, and all those who are celebrating the holiday season. The President just yesterday dedicated the National Christmas Tree to our men and women in uniform.

QUESTION: Christmas? Did you call it the Christmas, and not Holiday Tree?

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, Les, just last night at the Pageant of Peace. And all of us can take part in different ways to celebrate the holiday season and remember those who are in harm's way and remember those who have lost their lives over the course of the past year.
[White House Press Briefing - White House - 12-02-05]

That's not all, Les. If you qualify, you will also receive this spectacular Holiday card, compliments of the multi-cultural tax payers of America.

The White House’s 2005 holiday card is just out, and it doesn’t mention the word “Christmas” once. The card, mailed under the auspices of the Republican National Committee and signed by the president and his wife, reads, “With best wishes for a holiday season of hope and happiness 2005.” It also includes a passage from the Old Testament Book of Psalms.
[Have President Bush, First Lady And Republican National Committee Joined 'War On Christmas'? - Americans United - 11-30-05]

December 01, 2005

You gotta love Helen Thomas. Like the rest of us, she knows what to expect from this White House. When things go wrong, they pretend not to be a party to the facts. When presented the facts, they pass the buck. When confronted with the resulting scandal, they can't comment on ongoing criminal investigations.

Here, Thomas challenges McClellan on why the White House and General Pace supposedly know nothing about the Pentagon's Information Operations paying journalists to write positive things about the war in Iraq.

QUESTION: Who's watching the store, really? How can we spend millions of dollars to plant positive stories in Iraq and nobody around here knows --

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, this is --

QUESTION: -- anything about it? How is that possible?

MR. McCLELLAN: This is based off some media reports. We want to find out what those facts are.

QUESTION: How did they get their hands on the money to begin with?

MR. McCLELLAN: You might want to direct your questions to the Department of Defense to find out more information, Helen, because they're looking into it.

QUESTION: But it isn't a separate world. It's your world.

MR. McCLELLAN: That's why we're trying to find out the facts.
[White House Press Briefing - White House - 12-01-05]