The job of White House Press Secretary is difficult under any circumstances, but Scott McClellan faces an inconceivably arduous task—standing before the White House press corps to defend the record and actions of the Bush administration. Mr. McClellan, however, takes the challenge seriously, churning out a blend of comical non-answers and—let’s not mince words here—outright lies.We’ll examine just two recent examples.
When Mr. Bush’s schedule included an appearance at a 9/11 memorial service—followed by a nearby campaign fundraiser—a reporter asked, “Is there any concern that the juxtaposition of those two events…the close proximity in both time and distance will create at least the appearance of the president using 9/11 for political reasons?”
Mr. Bush had willingly put himself in an awkward situation, revealing crass opportunism and undeniable insensitivity. Conceding that fact, however, is not within the press secretary’s purview. So what followed was a classic non-answer, pure tapioca pudding:McClellan: “September 11th was a tragic and defining moment for our nation. And the president is honored to accept the invitation of the Nassau County 9/11 Memorial Foundation to attend the groundbreaking of their September 11th memorial. This was an invitation that was extended to the president in mid-February. The president is honored to accept the invitation and pay tribute to those who tragically lost their lives on that September day. The president never forgets September 11th. The president remembers it every single day. He has met with many families over the course of the last few years and helped to console them and grieve with them. This president is honored to pay tribute to those who tragically lost their lives, this Thursday.”
In the space of 122 words, McClellan invokes 9/11 a total of five times, and three times he informs us “The president is honored…” But nowhere in this torrent of homilies does he come within a light year of answering the question he was asked. The reporter gives it another shot: “There’s no sense that it’s just even a little bit awkward to be combining on the same afternoon a fundraiser and a 9/11 memorial—related to criticism—“
Mr. McClellan interrupts: “Well, again, Ken, he was invited by the Nassau County 9/11 Memorial Foundation and he’s honored to accept the invitation.”
It’s like pulling a string on a talking doll. In the space of 20 words we have another 9/11 reference, again the president is “honored,” again there is no answer. Note that throughout this pablum Mr. McClellan doesn’t even acknowledge the existence of a campaign fundraiser.
There was no follow-up; the next question had to do with the new prime minister-elect of Greece. One has to wonder if the White House reporters have simply given up on getting a straight answer.
Clearly, no one expects Mr. McClellan to tell the blunt truth about this administration; it’s his job to spin the stories. And to “spin” traditionally means trying to put the best face on difficult issues; to accentuate the positive (where it exists) and downplay the negative (or, as we’ve seen, just ignore it). Bearing this in mind, one can forgive, perhaps even laugh at, Mr. McClellan’s contorted evasions.
But there’s a dramatic difference between not telling the truth and blatantly lying. First, a quick review of the facts:
“Thousands of U.S. troops invaded Iraq in March without the new body armor that can stop rifle bullets, and thousands more still lack the lifesaving protection. ‘I can’t answer for the record why we started this war with protective vests that were in short-supply,’ Army Gen. John Abizaid told Congress last week.” (Richard Sisk, Knight-Ridder Tribune, 9/29/03).
“The administration announced that on October 1 it wants to roll back recent modest increases in monthly imminent-danger pay (from $225 to $150) and family-separation allowance (from $250 to $100) for troops getting shot at in combat zones.” (Editorial, Army Times, 6/30/03).
“Hundreds of sick and wounded U.S. soldiers including many who served in the Iraq war are languishing in hot cement barracks while they wait—sometimes for months—to see doctors.” (Mark Benjamin, UPI, 10/17/03).
“The Bush administration is formally opposing a proposal to give National Guard and Reserve members access to the Pentagon’s health insurance system.” (Gannett News Service, 10/24/03).
“The Department of Veterans Affairs announced yesterday that it is immediately cutting off access to…about 164,000 veterans who expected to enroll in the system during the current fiscal year.” (Edward Walsh, Washington Post, 1/17/03).
And now this, from Mr. McClellan’s press briefing of March 17: “This president, from day one, has provided strong support to our troops to make sure they have all the resources they need to do their job, and that includes supporting significant pay raises for our troops, improving housing and health care for our troops. This president, from day one of this administration, has been working to make sure our troops have all the resources they need to do their job.”
The facts are in such stark contrast to these claims that Scott McClellan has no weasel room left.
Mr. McClellan told these lies at the end of his briefing and then strode quickly from the podium, taking no further questions. It wouldn’t have mattered, though—if his lies were challenged, he would have simply explained that Mr. Bush feels honored to be the Commander-in-Chief. And, of course, he still hasn’t forgotten September 11th.
