Wehner: Scott's Truth vs. Reality »
Posted by: AlphaGnosis 2 months, 3 weeks ago476 Comments Report this Story
Former deputy assistant to the president, Pete Wehner, gives his thoughts on Scott McClellan's "truth".
Read Full Story at article.nationalreview.com
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AlphaGnosis2 months, 3 weeks ago
"My own experience in this regard is telling and not at all uncommon. When I was troubled by something during my White House years - whether it had to do with policy or other matters - I raised those concerns, often with a variety of high-ranking officials (usually Mike Gerson, Dan Bartlett, Karl Rove, or Josh Bolten). I once requested a private meeting to discuss Iraq with Chief of Staff Josh Bolten, a friend for whom I had (and have) enormous respect. I was deeply concerned at that point about what was happening to the war effort, the failures I thought we were making, and the personnel changes I thought needed to be made - and for more than 45 minutes Josh listened to me in his office, carefully, intently, asking questions and asking for clarifications. He seemingly had all the time in the world for me."
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AlphaGnosis2 months, 3 weeks ago
There are other examples I could cite from my experience and from the experience of others. Scott seems to be that rare bird who kept those concerns suppressed, if he had them at all. And now, years later, he finally feels liberated to make arguments he didn't appear to believe at the time.
Scott's broader claim that "in some small way" his hope is to "move us beyond the destructive partisan warfare of the past 15 years" and that he wants to "contribute to [a] national conversation" about making our politics higher and better is not terribly persuasive. The same can be said about his complaints about his disdain for "the Washington game." In fact, one of the oldest games in Washington is to turn against those in power who cared for you and gave you the greatest opportunity in your life to serve this nation รข;; and to do so in a book, for which you received a hefty advance.
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libsRfunny2 months, 3 weeks ago
Rumor has it McClellan only went against the Administration after being picked on.
One day during a White House meeting, Karl Rove looked at an obviously satisfied President Bush and asked: "Are you gellin"?"
"I'm gellin' like Scott McClellan!" Bush replied.
McClellan resigned soon after, miffed at his mistreatment and knowing he forever would be referred to as "gellin' Scott McClellan" among White House staff. The poor, pudgy bastard never liked to be picked on in grade school, and the White House was no different.
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mesodude2 months, 3 weeks ago
But what are *your* observations, AG. You love to post quotes as if to suggest that they mirror some remarkable intellect or keen insight you have relative to a given issue. All we know from the stories and quotes you post is that you are a blind supporter of Bush. That's it. Is the best you can do in terms of defending this administration is share *other* people's thoughts and observations?
Instead of repeatedly cutting and pasting someone else's thoughts, why not tell us why you're so convinced that Scott McClellan can't be trusted now when all of your right wingers listened to him for YEARS and sucked down everything he had to say as if it were gospel? If McClellan, David Kuo and others who have spoken out against this administration (I guess Chuck Hagel is a "liberal blogger" too, right?), just what does this say about the Bush administration's judgement in hiring them?
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mesodude2 months, 3 weeks ago
Wehner says:
"This is a very postmodern outlook that subordinates actual truth for "my" truth."
The problem is that Scott's truth is consistent with the truths of many, MANY other people. Cons have this same bizarre mentality about global warming. The voices of the many against the voices of the tiny shrill minority and they are doggedly convinced that THEY all know better than thousands of PHDs. Amazing arrogance of cons. Wow. Not everyone who criticizes Bush can be waved away by simply smearing them as opportunists.
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MRCOFFEECAKE2 months, 3 weeks ago
McClellan was TOLD what to say. he was not involved in policy making. So let me get this straight.
In the Bush administration if you shut up and go along with
bad ideas you are ok, but once you challenge them or believe them to be wrong or resign you are a turncoat,.. Great democratic leadership we have.. Can't you see the shame here?
Government by peer pressure and character assassination.
How can anyone have pride in that? Oh, and the split secongd you do find fault you are ridiculed for all previous support by being labeled a "flip-flopper"..Obviously there is no room for individual thoughts.>They call that a DICTATORSHIP!
You piece this together and tell me what I'm missing..PLEASE
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AlphaGnosis2 months, 3 weeks ago
"George W. Bush is an imperfect man, as are we all, and our administration certainly made mistakes over the course of two terms. But the president is, at his core, a decent and honorable man. His presidency will, I think, be judged much better by history than it is being judged right now, though of course much depends on how circumstances play out in Iraq and elsewhere. But regardless of history's verdict, what Scott McClellan has done - which is to both turn on the president and in the process to paint a false and misleading picture - is doubly dishonorable.
Scott claims he is on a journey to discover "his" truth. But what he has done is do injury to the truth. The vast majority of us who served in the White House and for President Bush are very glad and grateful we did - and we will always consider it to have been the professional honor of a lifetime."
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mesodude2 months, 3 weeks ago
"George W. Bush is an imperfect man, as are we all, and our administration certainly made mistakes over the course of two terms."
--These are just words. Bush and his handlers and supporters are like wife beaters. You know what you've done is wrong and you think simply acknowledging that in a perfunctory statement like that absolves you of the responsibility to take serious measures to correct your behavior. Saying you know Bush is not perfect is weak and cowardly. Meaningless.
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Wolfie20072 months, 3 weeks ago
Alpha
That was the best paragraph in the article. I hope the liberals on Propeller who have vilified the President live long enough to learn how future historians will count him as one of the greatest Presidents in the history of the USA.
Yeah, tessie, give it to me. Ooh, that neg feels so good, you 're the best, tess. lol
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