Ari Fleischer, 2002 on the use of "foils" in the White House Press Corps

[dave29]

http://www.solodavies.blogspot.com

from a story in the Jan 22nd issue of the Washington Post, by Dana Milbank. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15642-2002Jan21.html

Will Fleischer acknowledge the use of foils? "No, I will not," he says. "I call on all corners of the room." McCurry and Lockhart resorted to foils "because of all the scandal coverage. That's not the way of this administration." Still, Fleischer adds: "I'm not above using a foil. I just haven't had opportunity to do it yet."

En Garde!

[Oreo]

1. This talks about "legitimate reporters" as foils

the took it to a whole new level with Guckert.

You have to wonder if this was the day they decided they needed a shill

[dave29]

2. please explain to me what a legitimate reporter is

I'm having trouble telling these days

[DBoon]

5. One that is unemployed

eom

[MADem]

3. FUNNY HOW ARI departed shortly after JimmyJeff arrived on the scene

You have to wonder if he just couldn't stomach what was going on. He comes from a Democratic family. I often wondered if he just couldn't whore no more....he seemed irritable, testy, depressed, in his last few months as PS...and that was right around the time that JJ-GG started turning up at the pressers.

[charlie]

4. Ari never needed a foil

He was magnificent. He did his job as the biggest lying POS on the planet with serene equanimity. An army of Helen Thomases couldn't knock that soulless bastard off the party line.

[JaneDoughnut]

6. Fascinating.

Though this doesn't come close to paying journalists - or inventing them - to have them tow the party line.