Transcript: WH Press Breifing - (The Thumb or the middle finger?)

[truthpusher]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/07/20050729-5.html

(snip)

Q Scott, The Washington Post this morning reports that, "Many days, no doubt, he" -- that's you, Scott -- "he harbors his own desires to finger his feelings about reporters." (Laughter.) That's what they reported. And my question is, since The Post also reports that "The President suddenly thrust his right hand into the air and extends a finger." White House officials yesterday said it was his thumb. Could this be interpreted as the traditional thumbs-up signal, or is it a mistake to confuse the President's thumb with his middle finger?

I have a follow up.

MR. McCLELLAN: Les, okay, I found all this kind of preposterous --

Q It was in The Washington Post.

MR. McCLELLAN: -- and the story that was run there. Clearly, if you look at it and if you were there, you would recognize that the President was giving a thumbs-up. Someone in the media had asked something to the effect of, how does it look on the Central American Free Trade Agreement, and the President gave the thumbs-up.

I don't know how someone is trying to divine my inner thoughts, but despite some of the back and forth that we engage in today and other times, even with people like David -- (laughter) -- I have great respect for the job that you all do. And you all -- you all know the way I deal with you all and I know the way the President acts. And that's -- it's just preposterous to make that kind of suggestion.

Q Appreciate it. Was the President glad to read this morning's Washington Post report that Washington radio station WMAL has suspended, without pay, talk show host Michael Graham because he said the fault for recent acts of terrorism lies not with Islamic radicals alone, but also with Muslims generally because religious and followers have supported extreme elements?

MR. McCLELLAN: I don't want to endorse any particular news outlet. I'm not sure where -- which paper he would have read that in, but we really --

Q The Washington Post. The Washington Post.

MR. McCLELLAN: -- we really haven't had a discussion on it, with all the other issues going on today before Congress.

Go ahead in back. Oh wait. Roger, sorry, go ahead.

Link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/07/20050729-5.html

[HockeyMom]

1. If Bush did it BEFORE,

why wouldn't he do it AGAIN?

[LibDemAlways]

2. "It's just preposterous to make that kind of

suggestion." Oh, really, Scotty?

http://politicalhumor.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=politicalhumor&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fanon.salon.speedera.net%2Fanon.salon%2Fmedia%2F2004%2F10%2FBushUncensored.mov

[katty]

10. Preposterous?! WH is filled w/pomposity and preposterous

loyalties and assertions

[xxqqqzme]

3. the video was

on crooksandliars yesterday but I can't find it now.

[truthpusher]

5. Video Link from Leno:

http://homepage.mac.com/onegoodmove/movies/bushflips.mov

[FlaGranny]

4. Body language alone says

it was a middle finger and not a thumbs up - even if it was too quick to see well. Bush was just expressing how he feels - "F... you." Not at all surprised by him and it is so very unpresidential.

[DemsUnite]

6. Thumb, finger, or pen - same message

[truthpusher]

9. Here's a holder for his pen (Graphic!)

[blogslut]

7. interesting

I'm of the "it was a pen" group. Nevertheless, it's interesting this occurence was brought up two days in a row. I am confused with the official WH response.

If the spokesman had been Ari, he would have cut this short with "It was a pen."

Ya think that maybe Scotty is giving BS answers so the great finger controversy will overshadow the other crap the WH is pulling?

[blogslut]

8. incidentally...

I missed today's briefing. Who was the reporter involved in this spicy little exchange?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I just pointed out -- because what you can do from those stem cells that are available is derive additional lines. And that's why I pointed out that there's 600-some lines that are already being used right now. There are an additional 3,000 more that are going to be available for this kind of research. The fact of the matter is, we're still in the early stages of the research.

Now I want to back up, because I do think it's important to talk about the accomplishments. Maybe you don't want to talk about it, because a number of people in the media were saying just two months ago --

Q Don't start with that.

MR. McCLELLAN: No, let's start with that.

Q Don't take me on like I don't want to talk about it. That's ridiculous. You want to make your statement, make your statement. I was asking you a specific question on a specific issue, and don't try to turn this into a screed about the media.

MR. McCLELLAN: Then don't make a broad statement, like you did.

Q I corrected myself. I meant on this issue.

MR. McCLELLAN: Of course you don't want to talk about it, because you don't want the American people to hear about the great progress that we're making on the legislative front.

Q I thought I heard your opening statement pretty clearly.

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sure you'll be reporting on it later tonight.

Q Watch the broadcast tomorrow.

[The Night Owl]

11. Exactly.

[H5N1]

17. Might have been a pen; definitely was not a thumb

[Kelvin Mace]

12. See, I would have had a copy opf this photo

And asked Little Scotty:

"Since Bush has a record of rude behavior, why do you feel this story is ridiculous?"

Then held up the photo.

[WinkyDink]

27. finger photo above

While I am no doubter of the crudeness that is Dubya, that looks photoshopped or whatever it's called. That finger belongs to a much taller man; look at its length!
And if it IS Bush's, well, ....it would explain a lot.

[Kelvin Mace]

31. It is his finger

Here is the video.

http://www.sickjokes.net/index.php?disp=watchvideo&filename=bushuncensored.mov

[tblue37]

39. Check this out:

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

13. I wish Al Hunt had been asking the question

Several years ago, when his father was running for office, the Chimp approached Wall Street Journal reporter Al Hunt sitting with his wife and four-year old child in a restaurant and began shouting the "F" word at him for a piece he'd done on Poppy Bush. And then there's David Rubenstein, CEO of the Carlyle Group who gave a speech saying that while Chimpy was a board member, all he did was tell dirty jokes at board meetings.

[sunnystarr]

14. Americablog.com received a phone call from the WH

telling them it was a thumbs up and not the birdie. Is this the first time they've called a blog? It was reported on the blog segment of CNN. And btw ... no way it was a thumb, I believed the pen option, but thumb? Guess that says it all ... he actually flipped the bird.

[estherc]

19. close review shows it was a thumb

I initially was convinced it was his middle finger, no way it was his thumb but then we were experimenting last night and watching the video. As he raises his arm up he rotates his wrist and his hand is held so his thumb is posterior. Try it and you'll see what I mean. Hold your hand with the thumb facing you, not facing the center and give a thumbs up sign.

I, as much or possibly more than anyone wanted w to get caught being the asshole that we all know he is, but I don't want to see our side discredited by false accusations.

[TrueAmerican]

33. Get real

There is no way that was a thumb.

[truthpusher]

36. whachyasmokin? Look...

http://homepage.mac.com/onegoodmove/movies/bushflips.mov

[Media_Lies_Daily]

15. "Scotty, since you lied to us about the Plame issue, why should we....

...trust you about this issue?"

[smoogatz]

16. It was his middle thumb.

I mean, Bush is obviously ALL thumbs, so why not?

[goforit]

25. now thats a good one!!

[rocktivity]

18. But look at what Scott said yesterday!

Q Scott, last night on the Tonight Show, Jay Leno, who apparently is subbing for Johnnie, displayed a video of the President at the Capitol yesterday. In that video, the President walking away from the press lifts his hand and raises a finger. Mr. Leno interpreted it as, shall we say, a finger of hostility. Each of our fingers has a special purpose and meaning in life. (Laughter.) Can you tell us what finger it was he held up?

MR. McCLELLAN: Ken, I'm not even going to dignify that with much of a response. But if someone is misportraying something, that's unfortunate.

Q Well, it was not a finger of hostility?

MR. McCLELLAN: Ken, I was there with him, and I'm just not going to -- I'm not going to dignify that with a response. I mean, I haven't seen the video that you're talking about, but I know the way the President acts. And if someone is misportraying it, that's unfortunate.

If he was there with him, saw what happened, and knew it was a thumb, why didn't he say so yesterday??? He could have put an end to it right then and there!

:crazy:
rocknation

[Nancy Waterman]

21. No way it was a thumb

Unless he has an abnormally long thumb placed in the middle of his hand!!

[BlackVelvet04]

29. Is that a joke?

" Jay Leno, who apparently is subbing for Johnnie"

Huh?

I don't think misportraying is a word.

[radfringe]

20. depends on how you define "finger"

when someone hold up their hand with all digits extended in your face - they may ask "how many fingers" -- they do not ask "how many fingers and thumbs"

granted there is a technical difference between the thumb and finger - however in the everyday frame of reference - the digits on your hand are refered to collectively as fingers

enny-whooo this "thumbs" for you Smirk-boy -->

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

22. Middle Finger, for sure

These are frame by frame grabs

here it is going up.. you can see the thumb

Here it flies high

and again

and more

and down

[Whoa_Nelly]

23. No way is that his thumb

Thanks for sharing those frames!
:headbang: :yourock: :headbang:

[Toucano]

35. That can only be a thumb

if Bush has a thumb in the middle of his hand.

[Joz]

24. Middle finger

I remember seeing this on the news last night and they commented that he gave the thumbs-up after showing it, at which point I was like "what???" because I was still surprised from seeing bush flick off the media. I was dumbfounded at how they could not see that as a middle finger and thought it was his thumb.

[struggle4progress]

26. Hold the presses! POTUS doesn't repeat doesn't have opposable thumbs!

[cmd]

28. Les, Les, Les.....who wrote that ? for you

Did it come straight form Karen?

[tomhayes]

30. I'm sorry, it's a PEN

Look, I WANT it to be the brid, but it's a pen.

I looked at the video many times at work on Friday and I am convinced it's a pen.

Some of the frames when he's raising his hand and lowering it make me think it's a pen.

Again, it would be great if he was flipping us the bird, but he wasn't.

He has in the past on video. Not this time.

Think that it's a pen when you watch it and you'll see it's a pen.

He's still wrong on 99,9999% of the issues.

He's holding a pen.

[cmd]

32. Geez, didn't you read the post

The WH said it was a thumb. I merely suggested that their good ol' boy Les was tossing them a candy covered question.

[Whoa_Nelly]

38. Have to agree with you (was wrong and admit it)

Went back to pics, saved, and then took a blow-up look at the "finger". He's holding a pen up held in his fist between his thumb and forefinger.

Now this begs the question: Why would the WH (Scotty) be so adamant about claiming it's a "thumb" as in a thumbs-up display? If I can take a closer look with the simple photo program I have on my computer, then why haven't they done the same and enhanced it with even better clarity? Could it be that accusations of photo tampering would begin flying because they fear reprisals based on credibility? Or, are they just too lazy or busy, and it's easier to argue it as a thumbs-up hopefully being able to move along in the press briefings to more important less-than-credible lies about DSM, Rove/Plame, CAFTA and more?

[goclark]

34. It was the middle finger ! THINK FOLKS!

Why are we trying to be Columbo!

If there is one thing they do, that we have not learned ,it is how to frame the message.


They would NEVER, I mean NEVER, say it was anything BUT the finger.


It is not up to US to prove what digit it is, it is on THEM!

This one is a GIFT to us from the Media, so ---shout it!

Repeat After Me: Bush gave the FINGER to the Press!
Let's keep saying it just that way.
Fitzgerald will not haul us before the grand jury!!!

[Oreegone]

37. How stupid can you get?

I knew that Bush didn't know one finger from another, but evidently the entire administration can't distinguish a finger from a thumb. Perhaps we should send some 3 year olds over to "splain" it to them.:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Duer 157099]

40. It might have been a pen, but then it was his version of

Clinton's cigar -- he gave the finger with a pen

[rainbow4321]

41. India paper: Did Bush give media the middle finger or a thumbs-up?

http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=10487

Of all the grave issues that the White House has to confront these days, there is one of particular global consequence. White House press secretary Scott McClellan had to fend questions on whether President George Bush showed the "ugly finger" or the "finger of hostility" while walking away from the press on Thursday.

There are fingers and then there are fingers. The middle one in particular is raised in obscene and angry defiance in this country. A brief video of the president shows him raising his hand and giving what looks like the middle finger. A lot of people may not particularly mind the president doing that to the media once in a while but even by the folksy standards that Bush maintains this gesture could be potentially fraught with more trouble.

Media watchers are amused by this sudden discovery of a spine by the media that chose to be embedded with the Pentagon during the invasion of Iraq and purveyed government hand-outs on the progress of the war.

Barring a few notable exceptions, the pattern within the American media throughout the tenure of the Bush administration has been to let the president get away a great deal of obfuscation and some time pure lies. No one would openly comment but part of the reason why the White House press corps takes a long time to get aggressive is that there is always the danger of losing the all powerful credentials.