Scott McClellan: What Happened

His job was to "hoodwink and bamboozle the public", McClellan attaches words and phrases such as 'propaganda' and 'manipulate' and 'cycle of deception' to describe the public relations campaign of which he was a part. He was an apologist and stonewaller for the Bush Administration, and he knew it at the time. There is now no contrition in his voice, he is still selling a story, that is his job. This man is a traitor to his own conscience, to his country, and now to his own masters, he has no values, the irony is that now that he speaks the truth his words are worthless, the damage is done.

"To me he is one of those minor men who has become a hero because he was disturbed by what he saw and his own involvement in actions and deceptions that reduced the honor of our country. Any revelations about the abuse of power should always be welcomed. They help us know where we are and what has been done to us. For that, if no more, Scott McClellan should be saluted on both sides of the aisle." - Stanley Crouch

"The hyenas Bush still has in the media will make this all about disloyalty. They won't just try to shoot the messenger - McClellan - they will try to shoot him out of a cannon. They will make him the issue. And when they are through with him, he won't just be a disgruntled former employee, he will be some kind of threat to national security and if you believe him, the terrorists win. . . .

"McClellan is no hero here, or even close. If he believed all these things when he stepped down as Bush's press secretary, nobody was stopping him from saying something as soon as he was out on Pennsylvania Ave. He said nothing at the time. No money there.

"So he is late in the church service finding religion, late having the stomach to tell the truth about the people that he worked with, looks as if he is only doing it to sell a book.

"But take a look at the ones coming after him hardest for the story he is selling this time around. It is those for whom he sold the war, and the ones who helped him do it." -Mike Lupica

Flashback
Press blogger Jay Rosen reminds us of the key role -- stooge -- that McClellan played in the White House's attack on the press: "It denied the whole theory of the 'fourth estate,' ridiculed the idea that the press is part of the system of checks and balances, told reporters they were a special interest group rather than a conduit to the public-at-large, wiped out all remaining distinctions between propaganda and public information, and welcomed the de-legitimizing of the news media by allies in the culture war.

"'Back 'em up, starve 'em down and drive up their negatives' is the way I summarized this approach. In July 2003 Bush took it further when he installed in the White House briefing room a stooge figure, a pathetic character who had no power, no in-in-the-loop knowledge, no respect from key players in the Administration, no talent for improvised explanation under the lights, and no problem being made to look like an ass in front of the country, the cameras and the rest of the world."

David Corn blogs for CQ: "Where's the apology? . . .

"[W]hen it counted there were a few of us in the media who were indeed arguing that the Bush White House was setting new records in presidential deception--especially when it came to Iraq. McClellan, though, was part of the White House's defense team, pushing back against media coverage that questioned Bush's rationale for the war and Bush's serial abuse of facts. Apparently McClellan has seen the light. Well, where's his plea for forgiveness? If he were truly contrite about his involvement in a deceptive, propaganda-wielding administration, McClellan could demonstrate his sincerity by pledging that all profits from his belated truth-telling will go to charities supporting the families of American soldiers killed or injured in Iraq. For history's sake, it is good that McClellan is confirming what most Americans (according to polls) have long known: the Bush administration trampled the truth to win public backing for the Iraq war. But as an enabler (witting or not) of that process, McClellan owes the public more than a for-sale account. He should not profit from this book, making bucks for correcting war-supporting falsehoods that he defended. He ought to be doing penance. True heart-felt confessions come free."

I WOULD NEVER REWARD SCOTT MCCLELLAN for his treasonous actions, he should donate all the money from his speaking and book engagements to Iraqi orphans.

Announcing a new meeting for The San Diego County Community Coalition!

What: Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClelland in San Diego

When: Tuesday, June 17, 6:30 PM

Meeting fee: USD60.00 per person

Where:
Holiday Inn on the Bay
1355 N. Harbor Dr.
San Diego , CA 92101

Meeting Description: Tuesday, June 17th, 6:30 pm dinner. SCOTT McCLELLAN, presented by The City Club of San Diego.

Scott McClellan ? Former White House Press Secretary to President George W. Bush Speaking on ?What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington?s Culture of Deception.?

In the Harborside Room ? Holiday Inn on the Bay, Harbor Drive at Ash Street. City Club Members: $40, Non-Members, $60 (copies of Mr. McClellan`s book will be available)

Phone Reservations: 619-687-3580