I may have just figured out what happened to Scotty in today's WH briefing

[KelleyKramer]

Scott McClellan's Demon: Who strong arms the press corps? Karl Rove!

Well, I think I may have just figured out what happened to Scott McClellan in today's White House press briefing.

The WH press corps has been widely hamstrung and coddled the last 4-5 years. During the record low number of Bush prime-time conferences they have been so docile that one or two of the total of four(?) seemed almost scripted.

But the daily briefings are where the real day in and day out work is done by the WH press corps members. The Bush WH has been very successful in leashing the press.

Why? Because they have an attack dog in the oval office, and his name is Karl Rove.

For years now, there have been numerous accounts of a reporter asking the 'wrong question' and his boss or superior will get a call from Mr. Rove. Usually a nasty and threatening call. It was not unusual to demand the reporter be fired.

Its a brutal way to hamstring the press, demand a firing or cut off all access to the whole news organization. Everyone in the press corps has seen or at least heard of it.. that's actually the desired effect. And, so far, is has been very effective.

So you have a press corps bullied and intimidated by a top oval office figure, and then there is their press secretary. He knows the score as well or better than the reporters, and he smiles and lies or obfuscates to their face every single day for years.

Then he usually quickly exits the stages, with a big grin and the unspoken truth that everyone in the room knows.. 'you better play nice and go along with the lies or my boss will nail you into the ground'.

Fast forward to today.

The Big Lie for Scott today involves the same man that has been the hatchet on the press.. Karl Rove.

If a reporter asks the wrong question today, what's going to happen?

Is Karl Rove going to call the head of their news organization and demand he/she be fired??

I can see the head of somewhere like the Associated Press getting word.. 'Sir, Karl Rove is on the phone, do you want to take the call?'

Hmmmm. YES!

Hi Karl, yes I know you want the reporter fired, but just tell me first.. are you going to prison?

Today, for the first time of the Bush/Cheney administration, that threat was not there for the reporters in the White House press corps.

We can only hope that the WH press corps can continue to freely ask questions.

Best!
Kelley Kramer

the best quality video I've found so far is here--
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/07/20050711-3.html#
(click 'view' on the right)

[Hissyspit]

1. Great post, but I would like to say that the strong-arm tactics used on

the press are no excuse for them knuckling under these past few years. That should have made them MAD, and pushed them to push on the WH more. The press are complicit, as well. It is NOT just the WH's fault that we haven't been able to get the truth. It is the WH AND the Press and the American public's fault.

(Nominated/Recommended, by the way)

[jobycom]

7. True, but keep in mind (nominated also, btw)

That journalists are not just the last bastion against tyranny, and not just the enablers of democracy, and not just the single entity entailed with the job of informing the voters to make wise choices, but they are also common laborers trying to feed their families. It takes a lot of courage to fall on your sword to get that one question or one story in front of the people, especially when no one else backs you up.

I blame the industry, too. I'm just a tad sympathetic to people trying to make a living while being ambushed by arrogant tyrants. To threaten a person's job and career for doing their job is so wrong.

[SweetLeftFoot]

11. Oh yeah

I have been in similar situations - you're all piss and vinegar at the pub ... "Fuck these c***s, I don't care" etc etc. Then you home and tell the missus and she reminds you that rents due in two weeks and things start to change a bit. Sadly.

[Hissyspit]

13. yes, more responsibility on editors, but as a former journalist...

I believe they should have been MAD, too. If this behavior began almost as soon as the administration came in, they should have started getting mad right away.

It is a complex issue, media ownership, public opinion, etc. are all involved, but we have been taught these lessons before. Journalists and journalism institutions were able to resist these Mafia-like pressure in the past.

[jobycom]

19. True, very complicated. The editors and publishers

should be the ones to stick up for their reporters, but they are cowed by ownership, who are afraid to offend the powers that be, and also are often connected to Bush supporters. The last time America's media was so controlled by big business we wound up in an unjust war, also. (McKinley).

We need more regulation of ownership of the media. If you ever wanted to demonstrate the Republican fallacy of the free market creating competition, just point at the press. Unregulated industry leads to corporate control and less, not more, competition. Break up the monopolies, make the media compete for an audience, and suddenly good journalism would emerge again.

[Clark2008]

55. Good response.

I was a journalist for 12 years - left the profession when a divorce made me a single Mom and I couldn't survive on the lousy pay.

However, I would have been PISSED had someone threatened my job - pissed at the person making the threats and pissed if the editor didn't stand up for me. But, I understand times have changed in the mere five years I've been gone from the profession - the consolidation of the media have pushed in publishers and editors who don't know the first thing about journalistic ethics or journalism period.

[calimary]

70. You're totally correct. They would and will be pissed. And they won't

forget. And some of 'em will start feeling emboldened to maybe push a little harder. And some of 'em will do a passive-aggressive thing to go at it in a slightly lower-key way. But they're all licking wounds of various sorts in the Washington media. ALL of them. And some of 'em will be looking for openings (NOT the kind when you're thrown out of work, but the kind you get when you're sparring with a sloppy partner or a one-trick pony).

And you're correct about something else, too. LOTS of upper management in these things comes from SALES. NOT news. More all the time. It's all about profit, which didn't used to be part of the news equation. So when those "upstairs" start to get a feeling that their profits are at risk, watch how THEY turn, too. Boycotts serve well for that reason.

[Zan_of_Texas]

81. Actually, the behavior began way before.

According to Laura Flanders book, BushWomen, Karen Hughes had the journalists on the bus during the Bush for Governor campaigns pretty well cowed. They would travel with the campaign, and not get one crumb more than Hughes/Bush wanted. Same speeches, same statements. If they tried to get more, or got unruly, there would be NO info that day, and they had no story to file.

Even before that, the Reagan admin was doing domestic propaganda operations, calling people's editors, demanding more of a party line type of reporting. They had an ex-CIA guy in charge of it, IIRC.

But, the current media as lap dog situation, especially the White House Press Corps, had taken matters to a new low. (Whether you count Jeff Gannon or not.)

[leftofthedial]

51. what do you think the bushturds are doing to the whole frigging country?

they enable outsourcing on the largest scale in history, pursue policies that make unemployment and underemployment inevitable, depress wages, rule by fear and terror . . .

they are doing the same thing to us all.

[calimary]

69. And it's HAPPENED here, repeatedly.

Even Katie Couric was threatened for using the wrong "tone of voice" - but she confided to Michael Moore after their on-camera interview was over that her intimidation call was made to the NBC brass from the vICE pRESIDENT'S office.

Also, the hate mail and threatening phone calls would come in tidal waves if any of these people got "uppity" - spurred on by the limbaugh-vannity machinery. Lots of dittoheads who'll mindlessly follow their orders.

I think they're starting to get a taste of "gee, rove/snotty/whoever, YOU ain't so TUFF!"

Plus, I also think some of these folks could be nursing a bit of a grudge. I mean, look at the way bush humiliated David Gregory in front of all his peers and French dignitaries when Gregory asked one of them a question in French. Not that I'm saying David Gregory is holding a grudge, but if I were him, I'd find an episode like that AWFULLY hard to forget. And once I sensed that the offender or one of his minions was damaged goods, I might feel just a TEENSY bit eager to scrape my knife and fork together... PAYBACK time. And it's more than just David Gregory and the rest of 'em who've either been publicly humiliated or used or burned or threatened or bullied. You JUST DO NOT FORGET THAT STUFF. And sometimes, you find yourself almost in a "lying in wait" mode - for a chance to return the favor. OR, if you don't get that chance yourself, you remain on Red Alert for a chance for somebody else to do it so you can watch (but safely out of range that your own nose remains clean). And maybe you even tip 'em off with a useful tidbit or something... David Gregory will be one of MANY celebrating, at least privately, when these bastards finally get their EXTREMELY-WELL-DESERVED comeuppance. And he'll have good reason to.

But believe me, EVERYBODY keeps score. EVERYBODY. Those in the media, too. They don't forget. Maybe they don't always do something about it, but they don't forget.

And you have to remember something else: guys like the mafiosi in the White House don't get to the heights they've reached without stepping on LOTS of toes and making LOTS of enemies. There is tremendous and deep-seated resentment toward them especially as they keep getting away with everything. When that bubble finally pops - it'll be BEYOND fun to watch. I'd bet that LOTS of people in the White House Press Corpse will be doing the rove stories with big, broad smiles on their faces. I certainly would. And if they keep seeing polls (even the unscientific ones) that overwhelmingly show the public wants rove out or wants bush to fire him or sees him as damaged goods or sees this story as something increasingly serious, the media people will interpret that as an "all clear" signal to proceed WITH A VENGEANCE. Another reason why it's important to hound the media on this, so these people hear that message, and their bosses, editors, producers, and desk supervisors hear it, too. Get the "request line" or public-info operators started talking about this. It'll get to the bathrooms and the coffee rooms and the mail rooms, and from there, out into the general newsroom, and up into the executive suites, and so it'll go.

Let the pile-ons begin.

[countmyvote4real]

16. I agree, Hissy.

The press was threatened to be cut off from what? WH access or WH spin? It seems to me they were rolled and spun dizzy. But that was their choice. So long as they will never admit it, I will never trust them no matter how much back bone they suddenly seem to muster.

[jobycom]

2. That's pretty darned convincing to me. Anyone know better?

Great job, Kelley. :woohoo:

[chalky]

3. I noticed that there was a Guckert wannabe in the crowd

or someone with an extreeeeeemly dry sense of humor:

Q One follow-up. Considering the widespread interest and the absolutely frantic Democrat reaction to Karl Rove's excellent speech to conservatives last month, does the President hope that Karl will give a lot more speeches?

Any names for the media ho reporter that came up with that question?

[tuvor]

6. Les Kinsolving.

He always seems to be good for a bit of comic relief. I don't think too many take him too seriously.

[Boredtodeath]

9. Les Kingsolving

some right wing radio personality. His was the chair Gannon used with his daily press passes while Kingsolving was out recovering from a heart attack.

When Snotty gets in trouble in a press briefing, he always calls on Les to change the subject.

[goclark]

47. Les mentioning Clinton for Supreme Court

was said " tongue in cheek," but it may have backfired a bit IMO.

When he said it , I thought,"Why NOT!"

There may have been lots of people that heard it and liked the idea.

His other question @ Karl giving MORE speeches was also weird. The way he said it made me think, "He must be kidding, KARL should not make any speeches after this grilling!"

So , the middle of the road people, that don't keep up with DU, may not have understood that he was/is a Whore.


LOVE this thread by the way - nominated!

[jaxx]

10. video of Scotty's work out today.....

This might have been posted on here earlier, I don't know, but it's damn good to see Scotty squirm. Some of the reporters names are on the screen as they question him.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/07/11.html#a3868

Scroll down to> Press Corp grilling Scotty

[KelleyKramer]

31. If you have hi-speed, watch the whole show

Good video from c&l, but when going to the other on my OP and seeing the beginning it was even more compelling.

The follow ups later are rich too!

Imagine that, follow ups to a Bush spokesman.

Who ever heard of such a thing?!?

[bklyncowgirl]

68. Reporters are pissed

Rove used their colleagues to attack a whistleblower's wife. In doing so he endangered national security.

One of these reporters is in a jail cell.

These reporters are pissed as hell.

They've been taking shit from Rove for years. Now it's payback time.

[calimary]

71. You bet they're pissed. Tired of being used as doormats.

Tired of compromising their self-respect. Tired of being bullied. And now, they smell blood in the water. Sweetest of all, the most blood is now gushing from the biggest great white shark in the ocean. amd they ALL know this, especially since most of 'em either lost a chunk of flesh when that shark bit 'em, or a colleague they care about did.

Payback time, indeed. SWEET!!!! Makes my mouth water, and I'm not even in the business anymore!

[paineinthearse]

80. ...and transcript

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1923290&mesg_id=1923290

[Richard Steele]

12. Did you listen, or just read the transcripts?

I really thought that Kinsolvings question was snarky and sarcastic;
from his phrasing and tone of voice.

But I'm not very familiar with him, so maybe I'm wrong.

Lord knows, when the truly HOPELESS koolaid addicts
try to fake sincerity, it always sounds like something else,
sometimes a RANDOM "something else".

No matter HOW he meant it, it was still funny as hell!

[chalky]

20. I listened, but still wasn't sure--the question was SOOO over the top

that I first figured he was going for laughs.
The I thought back to some of Jeffy-lube's questions and wasn't so confident about that anymore.

[Richard Steele]

27. I've been doing the same thing: recalling some of the WhoreDog's words...

...Kinsolving might have been TRYING to be serious.

Either way, it was very amusing.
Scotty did not seem terribly cheered by the question.

So even if LES K. is a paid plant,
I'm guessing that Scotty was thinking:

"Not now, you fool!
They're ON to us; IXNAY on the IPTSCRAY!"

[Cha]

79. "IXNAY on the IPTSCRAY!"!!

So Funny!

[bloom]

4. Isn't that interesting.... eom

[McCamy Taylor]

5. They did it for Dan Rather.

[calimary]

73. Wouldn't surprise me. If I were in there, I'd be thinking exactly that.

Because if they can do that to Dan Rather, they can do anything to anybody. And I'd want to see somebody pay, pretty dearly, for that. Dan Rather was fouled on a technicality. Besides, to silence Dan Rather ought to have made EVERY individual in that Press Corpse look twice at themselves in the bathroom mirror every morning and wonder what kind of ethics they themselves still claim to uphold.

[donco6]

84. I can believe that, too.

Payback's a bitch, huh Karl?

[Fleshdancer]

8. now that you say that, it does seem rather obvious

The WH press corps finally sees the attack dog neutralized and so now they're not only more willing to ask hard questions, but they're pissed. This is the only thing I can think of that would account for the COMPLETE change in atmosphere and dialog at today's press briefing.

We should send the press members protein shakes...keep their energy up. It's been so long since they've battled this administration and I doubt their stamina isn't what it use to be. :)

[OxQQme]

24. Watching that video

with snotty standing in front of the emblem behind him, he had HORNS !
ROTFLMAO big time :o)

[Im with Rosey]

35. Pent up frustration?

I have been hoping that when they finally started doing their jobs, they would REALLY throw some fireballs. I absolutely agree with original post and I have to believe they feel less threatened. Maybe its time to send encouragement to some of the more aggressive ones in the crowd. I listened to the P.C. but couldn't tell if one of the more tenacious was David Gregory? Anyone know for sure?

[NJCher]

39. yes, it was

David Gregory was the one on the end who asked a question and then followed up with another. He was scornful of their tactics.

Good theory, Kelley. I think you've hit on something.


Cher

[goclark]

48. David Gregory for "Press Person Of The YEAR!!!

We really need to let him know that we are grateful.
What is his email address?

[donco6]

85. Can't find his email, but . . .

you can contact him through this MSNBC notelink:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3660744/

[KelleyKramer]

49. David Gregory and David Corn

It was Gregory that went early on (and there was another guy piling on right after him, a MSM guy at that).

And then David Corn later got some really good shots in.

[Jane Austin]

65. Which one was David Corn?

I missed him.

Thanks.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

14. That's a plausible theory!

I also noticed the organization behind their questions. I believe they planned this event this morning and in essence owned the press conference. It was a thing of beauty.

[pacalo]

18. Same here.

If you watch the entire press briefing, you'll see that every question, except for those by the foreign press, was about Rove. Each & every American journalist asked about Rove - even Faux News. After seeing the entire press briefing, there's no doubt in my mind this was an organized effort.

It was really something to see, & I hope it continues.

[KelleyKramer]

25. Yes! We have been saying that for years ...

Simple Scotty has gotten away with this bullsh*t every single day for years.

Same answer.. no matter what the question.

Same talking points, over and over and over, ad nausea.

There have even been reporters blurt out .. 'why do we even come here'.

Well today, possibly for the first time in 5 years, was the first day they could actually call him on it and not get fired.

Thats my point.

Watch any of the briefings from the past few years.. its incredulous.. you cant even exaggerate it.

[TahitiNut]

15. It's also interesting that Newsweek took the lead in exposing Rove email.

You don't suppose they're pissed at being set up on the Koran/toilet story, do you? They got two "anonymous Pentagon sources" to leak that the internal investigation had confirmed that Korans had indeed been toileted. The allegation of this by detainees, of course, was old news. Then, when the military investigation into "Koran desecration" came out, the one alleged kind of desecration that hadn't been confirmed was the toileting. Strange that.

Newsweek was set up by the Cheney/Rove/Rumsfeld enforcement team. No doubt in my skull about it.

The corporate media whores are apparently seeing a shorter and shorter "future" within which they can get adequate payback in the form of leaks and access to an administration that's gotten too heavily into overt and obvious lies.

[KelleyKramer]

21. michael isikoff

Funny, actually thought about him and the Koran thing when it first broke this weekend.

I'm no fan of Isikoff, but this does have to give Newsweek a little satisfaction.

Good point.

[in_cog_ni_to]

17. Well, we now know it's a FACT that KKKRove

DOES talk to the press (Cooper). I also remember reading an article about the chimp's AWOL record. Back during 2000 election campaign, CNN ran a story about the chimp being AWOL (those were the days, eh?) and KKKRove called them and threatened if they didn't kill the story, they would pay dearly. We never heard another peep from CNN on that story...until Dan Rather did it, that is.

I agree with your post. KKKRove is has been crippled and now they feel free to do their job. it's about time!

[frictionlessO]

22. Love your theory!

Hope you dont get attacked by the anti-theory people because of it. Good job and its probably the best bet on what happened that Ive heard.

[BamaBecky]

50. I like it too!....n/t

[lovuian]

23. I loved the laughter at the end they knew they had made him

sweat and squirm!!!

[Tommymac]

33. Great sign...

Laughter can be an indication of the release of pressure...and relief.

We'll know they are truly free when they can ridicule him and laugh to his face...

Even if Rove escapes criminal charges, if the press is ready to strike back by holding the * to his remarks last year or call him a liar if he doesn't fire Rove, as Rove's admissions already qualify him for action under *'s statement, KKKarl will have to resign to save a lot of political face for *.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

26. The media is owned by major conservative corporations, and they....

...tell the media how to report and what to report. For quite some time these major corporations have backed the NeoCons, but with the economy faltering, the mess in the Middle East getting worse, and the US finding itself isolated, they have unleashed the press to pursue the NeoCons.

[snot]

28. Agreed; PLUS

I think this whole episode got their attention early on because journalists (Miller, Cooper) faced jail time over it. E.g., Diane Rehm showed unusual tenacity in following this story throughout its course.

[mcctatas]

29. All I know is that after watching today's press briefing, and seeing

Scotty get spanked has given me hope that maybe the WH press corps has finally found the testicular fortitude to ask the questions that should have been asked 2 years ago! Plus, David Gregory suddenly makes me feel all tingly inside, what a hottie!:9 :spank:

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

36. David Gregory always seems to be trying to keep from rolling his eyes

When he reports from the WH. He definitely "gets it" and I look to him to be on the front lines when the MSM turns on this corrupt administration. MKJ

Oh yeah, he's definitely got that mojo goin' on!

[donco6]

86. A picture for you

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/donco6/DGregory.bmp

[mcctatas]

88. Oh yeah...

definately a hottie. Thanks for the picture, I will put it to good use LOL

[LSK]

30. nice observations

I only hope it is true. Todays press conference looked like the British press had taken over our press's bodies. I hope it is here to stay. Please let it be.

[Miss Chybil]

32. Well, if they'd done their jobs in the first place they'd have gotten rid

of Rove and the rest of the cabal a long time ago. I don't buy it and if it's true, it's no excuse. The power belongs to the press, they have no excuse for being punked.

[Tsiyu]

34. And knowing that Miller is jailed

after "playing nice" ( playing MUCH nicer than she needed to, it appears) can't inspire much confidence in the media whores. Your pimp beats you up and uses you, but he protects you , too. Or maybe not....

In this case, he is no match for a savvy judge and the law of the land - when aptly applied. ;)

[burythehatchet]

37. I watched the video and you're spot on

good analysis.:thumbsup:

[wildeyed]

38. Rove is vulnerable and they all decided to pile on.

It is what I had been hoping to see for years. That the group would find some sort of solidarity and then grow a collective spine. If every reporter was asking hard questions, it would be difficult for Rove to get them ALL fired.

Plus, they seem PO'd about Miller being in jail. I watched one of the networks last night, and that was definitely the subtext. Schieffer asked the reporter, "well has there even been an apology to Miller?" And the answer, "no" and lots of glowering.

[dalloway]

40. super analysis Kelley! n/t

[Sydnie]

41. David Gregory has set the bar just as Helen Thomas did in the years

before her excile from the corp. Gregory, having reminded Puffy McMoonface of his previous statements in contrast to his statements (or non-statements) of today have set the bar pretty high for all in that room. If they have been sitting on any questions, holding back from asking for fear of the Rove powerplay, then they had better get on with asking them now, bringing charts and graphs of the statements and timelines to light to back up their questions, if need be.

What happened to Helen Thomas was the living example of this power in action. I would LOVE to see her back in her chair asking all the questions that she was forced to choke back for the last 5 years.

I think you hit the nail right on the head Kelly. Good work.

[bunny planet]

42. Can we all send lots of emails to MSNBC news complimenting

them on David Gregory's reporting yesterday during the briefing. We might also mention that Tweety's show was much better when Gregory was subbing for him as well. MSNBC is rumored to be planning some programming changes, let's let them know which direction we think they should be heading, real reporting (finally), reinstituting the fairness doctrine (even if the law doesn't reflect that yet) and hosts who don't just parrot right wing talking points.

[oasis]

43. Tweety Matthews must go. He is a dishonest, arrogant s.o.b.

[bunny planet]

45. Just sent MSNBC an email. First answered their question of the

day, which has to with Rove, should he resign or not. Then in the space provided to comment on the question I wrote about how welcome David Gregory's thorough follow-up questions were in yesterday's WH press briefing. I also complimented DG on his handling of the anchor spot filling in for Tweety.

Maybe they can use a few thousand more comments like that.
Everybody?

[oasis]

75. Good idea.They'll know that we're listening and watching with interest.

In LARGE numbers.:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

[Glenda]

56. Oh, thanks for linking the 2 for me!

I had sent MSNBC a positive email when David Gregory was hosting Hardball.

I didn't see the press corps yesterday, only listened to it, so didn't realize it was the same guy!

:woohoo:

[Jane Austin]

66. MSNBC's email address?

I can't find it on their website.

Thanks.

[Glenda]

72. here it is

[e-mail]

there is a "send us feedback" link at this page: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3096434/
which pops up that email address

[calimary]

78. Thanks! Just did so.

David Gregory needs a SERIOUS cheering section. We need to make sure his bosses know that LOTS of people have got his back.

[Jane Austin]

82. Thanks, Glenda!

n/t

[brigidshine]

44. the press

i agree with others who state the press has been complicit in that they caved to WH pressure. their task is to do exactly the opposite and expose the truth, obviously. i know these are people with jobs, but they chose this job and it's one which comes with perhaps the highest possible standard of responsibility and honor, which they must have known.

there's always time to self-correct, however, and i hope this is a sign that they are.

[calimary]

76. Welcome to DU! I hope so, too. It's about time they bit their way through

the fence, and their shackles.

How any of these people (except for David Gregory, Terry Moran, John Roberts, and Helen Thomas) can look themselves in the mirror in the morning is beyond me. I'd feel my self-respect sinking so far down in the toilet bowl that I wouldn't even have to hit the flush knob.

[Norquist Nemesis]

46. Reporters will not stand for being lied to

They have been hammered by both sides. They've also had their integrity questioned and undermined by administration operatives.

And now that it is on the record they were lied to, they smell blood and know this is big.

[insane_cratic_gal]

52. I agree with most of what you said, but

I think the press censored themselves.

We have to return to 9/11 and all of the patriotic flag waving that built up.

The pResident was doing well in the polls, the country was gripped by a national tragedy. The Iraq invasion, they were still catering to the popular president with most of the country lied to, who believed the war was meant to get rid of WMD.

It wasn't until Chimps poll numbers started failing did they start to raise an eyebrow at this administration. Now, they know Rove is a dickhead, but to speak out against the White house would have you barred from the press room. If you pander your TV show to cater to the whims of the public, who you thought liked this president. Criticizing him while he still had a 50 % approval rating meant lost advertising revenues, because your viewing audience could always turn on Fox. I don't agree with it, but they are answering to a Corporation, they aren't interested in catering to the truth.

However, when he is no longer popular, his top aid is involved in potential case of treason, he's fair game. These are the same people who'd accuse you for disagreeing with them to be an act of treason!!

I love Karma, and she's not done with them yet.

[Redstone]

53. I stand in awe of your intellect. You nailed it, right there.

Excellent thinking and analysis.

Redstone

[Moosepoop]

54. I agree

Have to add one thing. With Rove declawed, and Scotty on his own against the newly emboldened reporters, it seemed to me that he ended up trying to issue his own "veiled threat" to the press.

<snip>

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I'm going to be happy to talk about this at the appropriate time. Dana, you all -- you and everybody in this room, or most people in this room, I should say, know me very well and they know the type of person that I am. And I'm confident in our relationship that we have. But I will be glad to talk about this at the appropriate time, and that's once the investigation is complete. I'm not going to get into commenting based on reports or anything of that nature.
*******

Does anyone else see this as a warning? Or is it a plea based on a supposed "friendship" with the reporters?
Either way, it doesn't seem to have worked very well for him.

[BIG Sean]

57. May be a stupid question but...

Hey All,

Is the WH press conference broadcast everyday? If so what time and where can I watch/tape it? I assume C-Span but I can not access their website today.

Thanks for any info!

[KelleyKramer]

58. 1245 et today, still trying to find a live feed

According to another thread its at 1245pm eastern today.

But I dont see it listed on either the WH site or in c-span schedule.

If anyone knows where it will be avail online please post

Thanks!

[KelleyKramer]

59. It here, LIVE!

http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Oh, and welcome to DU!!

[coeur_de_lion]

61. watching it right now, thanks so much for the link

Poor Scott. His voice is shaky, even as he evades the questions.

I've never watched him before, so I don't know what his demeanor is like normally. But there was a moment there when he was visibly shaken.

[calimary]

77. Welcome to DU!

Glad to have you among the Good Guys! Now get to work.

[Burried News]

87. Pretty soon they'll be carrying Press Conferences on ESPN

Damn Scootie ain't it a bitch when they want you to Catapault the Propaganda and they don't give you any ammunition. You need some body armor boy - not that it does much good against flamethrowers (and you in a room where no one will even piss on you, to put the fires out).:smoke:

[Festivito]

60. Too bad they don't report these Rove rants...

It would make their papers more exciting.
They could get more readers if there was a good fight going on.

I guess it's just easier to inflate distribution numbers.

Excellent call KelleyKramer.

[NoSheep]

62. I like the way you think!

:kick:

[AuntiBush]

63. Finally! Bet the WH Press Corps Feel Very Relieved as We do To

So, in honor of this momentous occasion, for those that have been threatened for so long, not allowed to tell (us) the American people the truth I'd be more then glad to send Scotty a box of Depends or Relyes while he's up "shitting himself!"

Slapping high-fives here. Can't you just smell "I" coming, and freedom, Democracy and all that again.

They need to keep hitting Scotty "hard" non-stop! It's time for the truth to come out now before * and Co. can do us anymore harm.

:applause::applause::applause::applause::applause:

[AuntiBush]

64. Finally! Bet the WH Press Corps Feel Very Relieved as We do To

So, in honor of this momentous occasion, for those that have been threatened for so long, not allowed to tell (us) the American people the truth I'd be more then glad to send Scotty a box of Depends or Relyes while he's up "shitting himself!"

Slapping high-fives here. Can't you just smell "I" coming, and freedom, Democracy and all that again.

They need to keep hitting Scotty "hard" non-stop! It's time for the truth to come out now before * and Co. can do us anymore harm.

:applause::applause::applause::applause::applause:

[BrklynLiberal]

67. They should have all gotten together and boycotted those scripted

ridiculous,pointless "press conferences". If the media had any integrity, and was not wholly owned by the same interests as the government, they would have ignored the press conferences and shown them for what they were: puppet shows.

[anarchy1999]

74. You are so right, we can only hope!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

and for good measure just a :bounce: or two, :bounce:

[donco6]

83. I think you're absolutely right.

Just think what Karl has on everyone in DC! It's got to be an utter mountain of dirt!

[Sparkly]

89. I see it slightly differently.

It's been remarked, by people like David Gregory, that poor Scotty genuinely doesn't seem to know what's going on. They haven't told him.

Moreover, I think THEY don't know what's going on. For the first time, this administration isn't in control. They don't know what Fitzgerald has, or what he intends to do with it. So they're stalling for as long as they can.

If they admit anything, it might incriminate them further than necessary. If they deny anything, it might incriminate them further if the facts of the investigation show otherwise.

So they're just treading water.

The thing is, I figured Fitzgerald was put in place by Ashcroft's DoD, so I had no faith in him to do a real investigation and prosecution. I sure hope I'm wrong on that.

[Mr_Spock]

90. Your theory seems totally valid to me.

This is why Rove is more important than the Bush, next up Dick head Cheney...