for ole' Scott McClellan.
Aventinus was right, he was clobbered about the Medicare bill today.
The transcript is here. Today's best question:
Q This President, does he make decisions on major issues, like Medicare and the war in Iraq, without having accurate information, both on the cost of Iraq, weapons of mass destruction, or the cost of Medicare?
Near the end, the 9-11 Commission question comes up again. Sounds like the White House is getting cornered on the extension:
Q If Congress will go along with extending the deadline for the work of the 9/11 commission, will the White House go along with such an extension?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, I think that discussions like that you would have to have with Congress and you would have to have with the commission, itself, because these were discussions that were held before the commission was created, or with the commission, actually. When Congress set it up, it was all agreed to that they would work to meet a certain timetable, because it's important that we learn everything that we can from the attacks of September 11th, so that we can do a better job, going forward, for the American people.
Q So if Congress says give them more time, will the White House go along?
MR. McCLELLAN: And so it's best to let those discussions be held with Congress and the commission and the administration, when you talk about that. But we continue to believe that the 9/11 commission should move forward as quickly as possible to get the job done. That's why we've been providing them unprecedented cooperation, to make sure they have all the information they need to do a complete job.
Q Will you go along with --
MR. McCLELLAN: And so -- again, you're asking me to negotiate or discuss those matters from this podium, and that's not the place to do that. We've been working very closely with the commission, to make sure they have all the information they need to do their job. And that's what we will continue to do. And if they have issues that they want to raise, then we'll have those discussions with them.
I don't think Hastert's going to be able to give the White House cover on this. The 9-11 Commission is going to get their extension. Of course, McCain last night said that because of political considerations, perhaps the extension should be until January of 2005. Would not be surprised to see the White House retreat to that position, although that sets them up for a very leaky fall season.