So the White House has come out swinging, first on the Woodward book (golly, Bob's book actually proves that we listen to dissenting viewpoints!) and, less enthusiastically, on PageBoyGate...
Just a few minutes ago on CNN, Tony told Soledad O'Brien that there have been lots of scandals in Congress, many of them about something more serious than "SIMPLY NAUGHTY EMAILS."
Does Tony really believe a seductive email to a 16-year-old boy falls in the classification of NAUGHTY?
UPDATE: Link to CNN video: http://thinkprogress.org/2006/10/02/naughty-emails
(sorry, don't know why I can't post this link correctly...)
UPDATE: PLEASE RECOMMEND THIS DIARY. I have no doubt that your calls to the White House helped provoke both questions on the "naughty emails" language at the WH this morning. The press corps may have let Tony lie and wriggle away from what he said, but the best thing we did (yes, WE the blogosphere) was to make sure that their Monday-morning tactic of MINIMIZE did not work. Now they'll have to either condemn Hastert, etc., or side with the molester. I love traps like this...
TRANSCRIPT:
O'BRIEN: I would assume everybody would want to know, including the president. I mean, we're not talking about any old person. We're talking about the leadership of the Republicans in Congress.
Why would he not hear something that's disturbing, or his office -- over-friendly -- when I see that word as a parent -- and I think any parent would say, Whoa, over-friendly? Any communication between a 16-year-old and a congressman, why doesn't that raise red flags -- major, massive red flags?
SNOW: Yes, look, I hate to tell you, but it's not always pretty up there on Capitol Hill. And there have been other scandals, as you know, that have been more than simply naughty e-mails.
You know, look, again, I reiterate my point. I think it's important to protect these kids and make sure that they have a good experience. And look, like you (inaudible) want to find out what happened. But before we prosecute, let's figure out what all the facts are. That's probably the most important thing to do is to be fair to all parties.
I predict that Tony may have to retract or explain his way out of this hole he's digging.
But for those who have wondered how on earth the Republican leadership could turn a blind eye to the warning flags in this case, there's your explanation. There's your mindset.
They told him to cut out all the NAUGHTY goings-on. They must have thought it was cute and a bit innocent, sending all those naughty spanky emails to that boy.
NAUGHTY is your wife dressed up in a French maid's outfit.
Sending a heavy-breathing want-to-take-your-t-shirt-off email to a boy thirty years younger than you is ... way beyond NAUGHTY.
UPDATE: CNN just teased the WH press gaggle with "Tony Deaf" Snow ... 11:45 am EDT. I want to witness that one ... have just moved all my morning meetings so I can "attend."
I suggest we all follow Cici414's lead, and give a call to the White House comment line to let them know what you think of this. Give them a call: 202-456-1111