Does this man have any shame? Today, Scotty rejected the "suggestion" that what Bush said
HERE is about wiretapping.
First of all, it's not a "suggestion", it's a "FACT". Secondly, I'll leave it to you to help me understand how "wiretapping" is NOT what Bush was referring to. (this spin challenge is especially difficult since he actually used the word "wiretapping")
Why the WH press corps continue to give respect to this man by not walking out of the room after an answer like this is beyond me.
(excerpt of the full absurd reply that McClellan gave after the fold...)
White House Press Briefing
Transcript(December 20, 2005):
Q Scott, in April of 2004, President Bush delivered remarks on the Patriot Act, and he said at that time, "any time you hear the United States government talking about wiretap, it require -- a wiretap requires a court order. Nothing has changed, by the way. When we're talking about chasing down terrorists, we're talking about getting a court order before we do so." Was the President being completely forthcoming when he made that statement?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think he was talking about in the context of the Patriot Act.
Q And in terms of the American people, though, when he says "nothing has changed" --
MR. McCLELLAN: I would have to look back at the remarks there, but you're clearly talking about it in the context, as you pointed out, of the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act is another vital tool. That's why the Senate needs to move forward and get that reauthorized now. We cannot let that expire -- not for a single moment, because the terrorist threat is not going to expire. Those tools have helped us disrupt plots and prevent attacks and break up terrorist cells. We need those tools for our law enforcement and intelligence community. And we urge the Senate to stop the delaying tactics by the minority of senators, to stop their delaying tactics, to stop filibustering, stop blocking this legislation and get it passed.
Q So you don't see it as misleading in any way when the President says, "nothing has changed"?
MR. McCLELLAN: You're asking me to look back at something that is in relation to the Patriot Act. And it's in relation to the Patriot Act --
Q But he's talking about wiretaps --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- and I'll be glad to take a look at his comments. I think you're taking them out -- I think the suggestion that you're making, I reject that suggestion. And I'll be glad to take a look at those comments.
And while you're "taking a look at those comments", Scotty -- Why don't you answer this question:
Why does the President even NEED the Patriot Act if he's going to go above the law, anyway?