Six unenlightening minutes: fun excerpts from Dana Perino's "Press Gaggle"

[Lobster Martini]

(LM: Edited for length, with absolutely no attempt at fairness.)

MS. PERINO: The President obviously enjoyed a very warm reception from the Saudi Arabian King, and the horse farm was quite splendid…(LM: What Americans most want to know: does the Saudi Arabian King have a splendid horse farm? Apparently, yes. Our long national nightmare is over.)

<snip>

…the King says that he understands the situation. He's worried about high oil prices and how they can negatively affect economies around the world. The President said there's a hope that as a result of these conversations that OPEC would be encouraged to authorize an increase production.

I don't have a lot more on that conversation. Obviously these are private conversations; we are reluctant to provide a readout of them…

<snip>

Q: Dana, you just said that the -- that as a result of the conversations, OPEC would be encouraged to increase oil production –

MS. PERINO: I said there is a hope. (LM: I hope for puppies and kittens. My hope that the Saudi Arabian King has a splendid horse farm has already been addressed.)

<snip>

Q: Okay. I just was -- I just wanted to clarify. I was just wondering whether the President was reflecting and he thought the King agreed in any way?

<snip>

MS. PERINO: No, that's -- remember, I said, "we hope that as a result," -- and by the "we" I meant the President and the administration. (LM: Thanks for the clarification. Thought you might have been referring to the Hell’s Angels. We know you're wearing your colors on weekends, Dana.)

<snip>

MS. PERINO: The President does always bring up the issues of reform and human rights and freedom, and he does intend to bring that up again today.

Okay? All right, we'll see you on the ground.

Q There's going to be a statement there?

MS. PERINO: Yes.

Q: Q & A?

MS. PERINO: Doubtful. (LM: What a great press secretary. Want to ask a question? Get lost. Security? SECURITY!)

(Link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/01/20080116-1.html)