Oh, STFU, Ari

[CatWoman]

Fleischer: Obama, Gibbs Won't Bring Transparency

Later Thursday, Gibbs guided Obama on an impromptu tour of the cramped White House press room, where the president engaged in chitchat but didn't take policy questions. "I'm very proud of him," Obama said about Gibbs, adding that he gave his press secretary a fist bump for his briefing.

Ari Fleischer, who was former president George W. Bush's first press secretary, said the efforts to control press access and coverage prove that Obama's promise of open government is thin.

"He made similar lofty, good government reform promises throughout the campaign, and when he realized they weren't to his advantage, he reversed himself," Fleischer said. "So, too, it will be with transparency." The Bush White House also, at times, battled with the press over access and openness.

Otherwise, Gibbs, 37, an Auburn, Ala., native who was Obama's spokesman during the campaign, got off to a reasonably smooth start. The hour-long briefing covered issues from the economic stimulus legislation to administration policy on torture.

"He acted like a pro," said veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas.

That didn't mean she thought he answered all the questions, though. "He dodges like every other one," Thomas said. "But it's only the second day. We'll give him a little slack."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-01-22-gibbs_N.htm

[ronnykmarshall]

1. I wonder how many times Jackie said that?

[BattyDem]

2. Ari is lecturing others about transparency???

:rofl:

[virgdem]

3. Ari the prevaricator...

Really,Ari?

This from a Press Secretary for an administration that was the most secretive in our entire history.

Give me a break, Ari, will ya.

[rateyes]

4. That's kind of like the fox criticizing the farmer for locking the hen house.

[ClarkUSA]

5. Ari Fleisher headed up a nasty GOP 527 that attacked Obama throughout the election season.

Who the hell cares what he says except freepers?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

6. I think Ari should watch what he says, watch what he does. There never really is an appropriate time

for this kind of comment, really.

:rofl:

[CatWoman]

8. you plan on changing your name, Mayberry?

:hi:

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

11. Thought about it, but I just kinda like this name. Perhaps I'll trash the signature.

But it does serve as a "never forget".

How long does amnesty go for?

[CatWoman]

13. dunno

you need to check Skinner's link.

I think it's on the front page.

[WinkyDink]

10. Especially when we're at WAR!

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

12. I still get kind of angry and red when I even think about when he said that shit.

[high density]

7. The transparency is for the citizens

The press is a bit too self centered here and focused on their own personal access. Despite their whining yesterday, nobody except for them gives a shit if the entire press corps was not there to see the oath of office given a second time. I think they're annoyed and deeply afraid that the White House is going to bypass them via the internet, just as Obama did during the campaign and transition.

[WinkyDink]

9. Whom did Jeff Gannon visit, Ari? You know, for TRANSPARENCY and all.