White House Starts Editorializing Official Transcripts
Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 2:41 pm
Here's the best evidence I've seen yet that the Bush team is completely terrified by this latest batch of TANG stories. Here's part of the official transcript of this morning's press gaggle:
That's right, kids. The White House felt the need to add a footnote to the reporter's question, stating an opinion not expressed by the reporter. An opinion that is not at all supported by the facts of the case.
Look, it's real simple. The memos showed that Bush was ordered to take a physical. Bush didn't take the physical. Therefore, he defied a direct order. Simple. Clear.
In the military, you don't "work with [your] commanders to comply with [an] order," you friggin' COMPLY with it. Whereas the White House spin seems to be that orders are for little people -- in Bush's case it was more of a request, a request that he was free to negotiate, or, indeed, eventually ignore completely.
And, as Patrick notes, the military still loves him. Hmmmm.
So, how long before the White House just starts re-writing the transcripts completely to make sure nothing in them deviates from the official talking points?
And will anybody notice? Or care?
Ryan
Q This was a direct order he defied, right? I mean, he did have a direct order that he defied?*
MR. McCLELLAN: John, these issues have come up every year. This was all part of the records -- that he was seeking to transfer to a unit in Alabama because he was going there to work in a civilian capacity. And he was granted permission to do so. And he was proud of his service and he was honorably discharged in October '73, after meeting his obligations.
*The memos that were released, in fact, show the President was working with his commanders to comply with the order.
That's right, kids. The White House felt the need to add a footnote to the reporter's question, stating an opinion not expressed by the reporter. An opinion that is not at all supported by the facts of the case.
Look, it's real simple. The memos showed that Bush was ordered to take a physical. Bush didn't take the physical. Therefore, he defied a direct order. Simple. Clear.
In the military, you don't "work with [your] commanders to comply with [an] order," you friggin' COMPLY with it. Whereas the White House spin seems to be that orders are for little people -- in Bush's case it was more of a request, a request that he was free to negotiate, or, indeed, eventually ignore completely.
And, as Patrick notes, the military still loves him. Hmmmm.
So, how long before the White House just starts re-writing the transcripts completely to make sure nothing in them deviates from the official talking points?
And will anybody notice? Or care?
Ryan