People who write books

A Press Briefing

Scott McClellan

“  Q Where do you disagree with [him] on the facts of what he observed and didn't observe, what you did and didn't do immediately after coming into office? PRESS SECRETARY: Well, I think we went through that yesterday. We went through a lot of the assertions that were being made. And I think maybe one thing to look back to [when he] submitted a letter of resignation on that day to the President of the United States. And I think this letter runs counter to what he is now asserting. Let me just read parts of this letter, and we'll be glad to make this letter available to you shortly here. This is in his own words. [He] says, "It has been an enormous privilege to serve you these last 24 months. I will always remember the courage, determination, calm and leadership you demonstrated on September 11th." Then he went on to say, "I will also have fond memories of our briefings for you on cyber-security and the intuitive understanding of its importance that you showed. I thank you again for the opportunity to serve you have provided me, and wish you good fortune as you lead our country through the continuing threats." So at this time period, when he was leaving, there was no mention of the grave concerns he claims to have had ...? Q You and others at the White House made a point of saying yesterday that the timing was suspect because it's an election year. You asked why he had waited this long to make his concerns known. He says that the book could have been published in December, but for the White House security review process. PRESS SECRETARY: Well, let's be clear here. His book went through the normal review process. It went through the normal national security review process to look at classification issues. This is standard practice to make sure that classified information is not inadvertently released. Dick Clarke could have released his book at any time, but the fact is he chose to release it at a time and in a way where he could maximize coverage to sell books, and at a time when he could have the impact to influence the political discourse. That's very clear. ” This is the White House press briefing with media gone wild over former Press Secretary Scott McClellan's damning Bush White House book , right? Well, no, it isn't.  It's the March 23, 2004 press briefing with media gone wild over Richard Clarke's damning book about the Bush White House;  and that's Scott McClellan saying what he thinks of Mr. Clarke.  Cute, eh wot?  Clarke has been factually discredited, and I expect McClellan will be as well. I smell Soros money, but that's just me.