This morning, as the news of former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan's tell-all book consumed Clinton's Kennedy comments, another former Press Secretary, Ari Fleischer was asked by MSNBC anchor, Norah O'Donnell what his thoughts were on the book and on McClellan himself. Watch and learn:
Notice the following from Fleischer:
1) Look of complete sincerity.
2) Reiterate the unnecessary: That McClellan has the "right" to print thin book. Thanks for that reminder and the little American flag lapel pin...
3) Repeat the talking points which will be later echoed by the White House: Several times Fleischer mentions of McClellan that he, Fleischer, is confused, that McClellan never mentioned any of this while Press Secretary, that this is not the Scott he knew.
4) And pay attention to the masterful dodge when O'Donnell asks Fleischer point-blank, at about 2:30 regarding McClellan's remarks that he, McClellan and Fleischer were used to sell an "unjust war" as part of a sophisticated propaganda campaign, does he, Fleischer, "deny that?” Fleischer never answers her question nor McClellan's allegations but instead answers with a truthful assertion about something else entirely.
5) Blame others and Clinton as soon and as often as possible: When asked about the information regarding Hussein's WMD "stockpiles", Fleischer immediately throws George Tenet under the bus, but not without first mentioning that he was previously Bill Clinton's Director of CIA.
6) Make not-so subtle suggestions regarding the person's character: After briefly mentioning that "we all were wrong", Fleischer then turns to subtly dismantling McClellan's credibility, saying that his words sounded like somebody who was an opponent of Bush. Later, someone from the White House will say that McClellan is just "disgruntled".
Later on, Fleischer again lays the blame on "foreign nations, the Clinton administration..."
This is classic stuff from the man who threatened the White House press corps shortly after 9/11 to watch what they say and who also said, after stepping down as press secretary that "I am leaving the White House but I am not leaving President Bush."
Hmmm...
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