Helen Thomas peppered Scottie On Iran, Libby, et al this morning!

[kpete]

McClellan Gets Peppered On Iran, Libby, et al.
By Josh Marshall - April 10, 2006, 11:37 AM

In this morning's White House press 'gaggle', Helen Thomas got things started with a simple question. "Is the U.S. going to attack Iran?" Full transcript below ...

QUESTION: Is the U.S. going to attack Iran?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: It is now your turn.

QUESTION: Is the U.S. going to attack Iran?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Helen, we're pursing a diplomatic solution by working with the international community. I assume you're referring to some of the media reports. Some of the media reports I've seen, which are based on anonymous outside advisors and former officials, appear to me to be based on people that do not know the administration's thinking. I think it is a lot of wild speculation. We are working with the international community, particularly the EU-3, to pursue a diplomatic solution to a serious and growing concern.

QUESTION: Does the President think that the American people would accept any kind of an attack on Iran?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Now you're engaging in the wild speculation I just talked about. Look, those who are seeking to draw broad conclusions based on normal military contingency planning are misinformed or not knowledgeable about the administration's thinking. The international community is united in its concern about the regime obtaining a nuclear weapons capability, and that's why we are working with the international community to prevent that from happening. And we are seeking to resolve this in a diplomatic way.

QUESTION: Would the President consult with Congress before --

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Helen, I'm not going to engage in all this wild speculation. No President takes options off the table, but our focus is on working with the international community to find a diplomatic solution.

QUESTION: Scott, what does that mean, "normal military contingency planning"?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Well, if you want to talk to the Pentagon, you can talk to them about it further. I'm not going to get into discussing it further.

QUESTION: So you're basically just not denying that there's military planning relating to Iran?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: This is hyped up reporting based on anonymous sources and a lot of wild speculation.

QUESTION: Well, why is it so wild --

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Our focus is very clear. We are working with the international community to find a diplomatic solution.

QUESTION: But you also have left open the other possibility of military action.

SCOTT McCLELLAN: I told you where our focus is, and I told you --

QUESTION: I know where your focus is.

MUCH MORE AT:
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/000329.php#more

[rodeodance]

1. bush used the term wild speculation this morning also. new talking point!

Now you're engaging in the wild speculation

[Lerkfish]

28. wild speculation does not equal something untrue.

[radfringe]

37. he could have combined it

"Wild speculation is crass politics..."

naaaaaaah.... too many syllables

[hwmnbn]

45. I noticed that too.....

these fuckers all must meet in the oval office and go over their game plan every morning. That includes using the same phrases everywhere.

[helderheid]

2. have I mentioned I love Helen???

[Kukesa]

6. You might have, maybe once or twice . . .

something about roses, maybe?

Feel free to mention that fact all you want!!

:loveya:

[helderheid]

8. LOL!

:D

[0007]

26. Isn't that a bit of wild speculation?

[Chimichurri]

3. I love her!! Go, Helen, Go!!!

She's my american idol.

[Swamp Rat]

4. Geaux Helen!!!

:kick:

[Gregorian]

16. Haha. Seasick Scotty!

You really know how to use color.

[MadMaddie]

5. Go Helen Go....the more Scotty McFellon avoids directly

answering questions......the more obvious it is that this administration plans to attack Iran...

[TriMetFan]

7. I think she knows the we Americans need her

more then ever.

[WiseButAngrySara]

34. I hope you're right! The roses helped I'm sure! ....n/t

[mom cat]

39. I think that she saved all the thorns for Scotty!

[K8-EEE]

9. LOL "I Know Where Your Focus Is."

Every time he uses that lame "we're focusing on..." ploy to change the subject, it's sooo infuriating!! I always feel like saying HOW ABOUT FOCUSING ON ANSWERING THE QUESTION? God he's an idiot...will be nice when he has to spend some more time with his family, which is about to go down any day now if rumors are to be trusted.

[stop the bleeding]

13. No doubt, this lady rocks

rocks I say!!!

[goclark]

10. Inspired by the Roses! Go Helen!

You socked it to Scottie today!

And did everyone notice, Scottie must be ready to leave his little day job, he let Helen ask more than one question!

He let her get all her points in today, :bounce:

Bye, bye Scottie!!!

[GreenPartyVoter]

17. I am sure she woulda cleaned his clock anyway, but the roses were

so important in letting her know she is not out there all alone.

[Marr]

11. God, it's disgusting- they're using all the same lies they used last time.

"Normal military contingency planning" my ass. These people either believe they're completely unaccountable or that the US public has the intelligence of a 3 year old. Anybody can see what they're doing- just like anybody could see what they were doing (and where it would end up) LAST TIME.

[donkeyotay]

43. Why would we wildly speculate that he's lying to us again when they

were so truthful about Iraq? "Honest, I haven't made up my mind." (smirk, smirk).

I've got an idea. About if the Congress passes a new resolution explicitly reclaiming their sole right to declare war. It's not like there's a missile incoming emergency, so just make it plain to everyone that we don't have to count on Commander Coconuts not having his fingers crossed behind his back.

[Triana]

12. Helen: " I know where your focus is"

You bet your sweet a$$ she most definitely does know where their 'focus' is. Snottie knows she knows this and that's why he refuses to answer the damn question.

Give 'em Hell, Helen! <----- I'd like a bumpersticker with that on it. Has a nice 'ring' to it.

[Brazenly Liberal]

38. You mean like this one?

:evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin:

[Triana]

42. YEA!!!

Thanks!

:D

[izzie]

14. I have a question for any one who can get back to me

Can Bush tack a war with Iran onto the go ahead he got from Congress before? My thinking he will do just that and say he has the right. I also think he will do it just before Nov. or so it is over when the elections are held. And it will be an air war. That way few get killed. I do not think we lost men in Bosnia and UN also came in on that.

[snappyturtle]

15. What's going to stop him?

The checks and balances are gone.....and you're correct he'll claim he has the right as presidente to do it! I think the administration is in bomb-mode.....wasn't an unmanned airplane shot done yesterday over southern Iran?

[izzie]

22. I really think Bush will do it and say he has the right.

You know that if he thinks he may lose power he gets even a little more wild on things.

[jbnow]

32. Condi already said he has the right

The same authorization (to use any necessary force) that he says gave him the right to wiretap.

I am too lazy to find links

[donco6]

40. Remember Laos and Cambodia.

Nixon did it. Bush will too.

[cascadiance]

18. I love Helen as much as Mike Malloy hates "these people"...

Have I told you how much I love Helen?

[Hobarticus]

19. How much longer until she just stands up and slaps him?

I'm taking bets...

[Lugnut]

21. You'll lose.

Helen is much too classy to do something like that. ;)

[Ishoutandscream2]

20. Shit, his spin makes me so damn dizzy

I think I'm going to lie down for awhile.

[KAT119]

23. Thank You Helen-YES, Blessed AreThe Peacemakers & Courageous YOU!

[lostnfound]

24. hyped up reporting based on anonymous sources" -- Judy Miller & Curveball?

Takes one to know one.

[Vidar]

25. What a wonderful woman!

[troubleinwinter]

27. Thank you, Helen. Thank you, Helen. Thank you, Helen. Thank you, Helen.

Thank you, Helen. Thank you, Helen. Thank you, Helen. Thank you, Helen.

[Cleita]

29. LOL. I'm sorry I missed that.

Helen just gets better and better every day. When is Scotty going to tell the truth for once?

[symbolman]

44. Tell the truth? When he dies

alone...

to the ceiling :)

[in_cog_ni_to]

30. What a gem she is. That woman is amazing!

:loveya:

[file83]

31. WTF? "Wild speculation"??? The military is actively ON THE GROUND

in Iran already, preparing target analysis for a potential attack.

Cheney himself has said military action is "still on the table".

Not to mention, the USA has already INVADED two countries in that region and is currently occupying them.

Again, I beg of Scotty-boy, what is so "wild" about that "speculation" that we will attack Iran?

This guy is a professional liar, and a bad one at that. His spin is no match for Helen's kung-fu.

[faithnotgreed]

50. tell it file~~~ and we also know (from s hersh) that there have already

been "attacks" in the form of some killings in iran by us backed forces (sunni i think)

[misanthrope]

33. Start a checklist...

...to see how many times everyone hears "pursing a diplomatic solution by working with the international community," "anonymous sources and former officials" and "wild speculation" over the coming two weeks.

Also might want to tally exactly who repeats these talking points.

[tabasco]

35. I bet Snotty would rather go hunting with Elmer Cheney

than put up with a peppering from Helen!!

Hahahahahaha!!! God Bless Helen Thomas!

She is about the only true reporter in the USA!

:patriot:

[Pierzin]

36. YOU GO GIRL!!!!

I just Love It!!! She is unrepentent!!!!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :applause: :applause: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[SeveneightyWhoa]

41. "Wild speculation"

Clearly a talking point thats been jammed into Bush's little brain.

Wolf Blitzer just showed a clip of a Bush speech today. He litereally said "wild speculation" four (or was it five?) times in approximately fifteen seconds. All with his fucking idiotic grin.

[malaise]

46. You go Girl

We love you.

[rodeodance]

47. Helen to Scot: "I know where your focus is"--You go gal!

[burrowowl]

48. Any rose creators out there?

I suggest someone develop a Helen Thomas rose and plant rows of them in the WH Rose Garden!

[SeveneightyWhoa]

49. Even better:

Let's build a huge rose statue and drop in on Helen Thomas' office! :sarcasm:

[caligirl]

51. Helen just keeps firing away, never lets him throw her off her point

Helen your simply the best!! Love the finishing line, I know where your focus is.

[mike_c]

52. classic misdirection....

Never once does he deny it outright. Instead Snotty McLyin' simply dances around the central question and accuses the folks making the accusation of being outside the inner sanctum and of indulging in "wild speculation." None of which preclude their being right, which Snotty takes great pains not to directly deny. This is a polished and practised response to a question he KNEW would be asked. There is ZERO information content among the noise he's attempting to generate.