White House Slams Ex-Aide's Book

Press Secretary Says Predecessor Scott McClellan Is "Disgruntled," Former Colleagues Also Stunned

(CBS/AP)  Current and former White House officials fired back after it was revealed that former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan wrote in a new memoir that President Bush relied on an aggressive "political propaganda campaign" instead of the truth to sell the Iraq war.

White House aides seemed stunned by the scathing tone of the book, and Bush press secretary Dana Perino issued a statement that was highly critical of their former colleague.

"Scott, we now know, is disgruntled about his experience at the White House," she said. "For those of us who fully supported him, before, during and after he was press secretary, we are puzzled. It is sad - this is not the Scott we knew."

Perino said the reports on the book had been described to Mr. Bush, and that she did not expect him to comment. "He has more pressing matters than to spend time commenting on books by former staffers," she said.

"Scott himself repeatedly made the case for the war from the podium and even after he left the White House, I remember watching him on Bill Maher’s show - about one year ago - making the case for the war," former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer wrote in a statement. "If Scott had such deep misgivings, he should not have accepted the press secretary position as a matter of principle."

In the book, entitled "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception," McClellan wrote that the Bush White House made "a decision to turn away from candor and honesty when those qualities were most needed" - a time when the nation was on the brink of war.

The way Mr. Bush managed the Iraq issue "almost guaranteed that the use of force would become the only feasible option," the book contends, according to accounts Wednesday in The New York Times and Washington Post.

"In the permanent campaign era, it was all about manipulating sources of public opinion to the president's advantage," McClellan writes.

The book provoked strong reactions from former staffers as well.

"For him to do this now strikes me as self-serving, disingenuous and unprofessional," Fran Townsend, former head of the White House-based counterterrorism office, told CNN.

Said former top aide Karl Rove, in an interview with Fox News Channel: "If he had these moral qualms, he should have spoken up about them. And frankly I don't remember him speaking up about these things. I don't remember a single word."

Richard Clarke, another former counterterrorism adviser who also came out with a book critical of administration policy, said he could understand McClellan's thinking, however. Clarke told CNN that he, too, was harshly criticized, saying that "I can show you the tire tracks."

McClellan called the Iraq war a "serious strategic blunder," a surprisingly harsh assessment from the man who was at that time the loyal public voice of the White House.

"As press secretary, I spent countless hours defending the administration from the podium in the White House briefing room," McClellan writes. "Although the things I said then were sincere, I have since come to realize that some of them were badly misguided."

"The Iraq war was not necessary," he concludes.

McClellan's book is "nothing but bad news" for Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting John McCain, according to CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs.

"The GOP candidate can (and probably will) dismiss McClellan’s charges by pointing to the fact that, whatever came before, the war in Iraq continues and he’s the one who can bring it to a successful conclusion," Ververs wrote. "But that’s not going to make the war - or those who supported it initially - any more popular."

McClellan admits that some of his own words from the podium in the White House briefing room turned out to be "badly misguided." But he says he was sincere at the time.

"I fell far short of living up to the kind of public servant I wanted to be," McClellan writes. He also blames the media whose questions he fielded, calling them "complicit enablers" in the White House campaign to manipulate public opinion toward the need for war.

The book is scheduled to go on sale June 1. Quotes from the book were reported Tuesday night by the Web site Politico, which said it found McClellan's memoir on sale early at a bookstore.

McClellan draws a portrait of his former boss as smart, charming and politically skilled, but unwilling to admit mistakes and susceptible to his own spin. Mr. Bush "convinces himself to believe what suits his needs at the moment," McClellan writes.

He also faults Mr. Bush for a "lack of inquisitiveness."

"President Bush has always been an instinctive leader more than an intellectual leader," McClellan writes. "He is not one to delve deeply into all the possible policy options-including sitting around engaging in extended debate about them-before making a choice. Rather, he chooses based on his gut and his most deeply held convictions. Such was the case with Iraq."

[monkfellow]

..a small man, with small ideas, and a small agenda, playing to big time media,rolling in the hay, for Obama, pouncing on this like fresh meat. About what I would expect from liberals..

[boatdocster]

Why would you think he is playing for Obama?

The have been many, many examples of how the Bush II administration has and continues to lie to the American people.

It is a bit interesting on how fast the GOP Swift Boaters have started chopping McClellan up. Chum!

As they say - "No honor among thieves..."

[mudrose-2009]

THE GUY IS SOUR GRAPES, IN NEED OF A JOB AND MONEY. I''M NOT TOO IMPRESSED. IN FACT, I''M NOT IMPRESSED AT ALL.

[jackie0428]

First things first. I never voted for Bush. I voted for Gore and later did a protest write-in in 2004. I think Bush has made a lot of mistakes, but then I don%u2019t speak hatefully of him like many liberals. Secondly, I must say Scott McClellan was a terrible press secretary. Anyone who ever saw the guy speak knows what I am talking about. The guy was wrong for the job from the start. When Ari Fleischer retired from the job in 2003, those were big shoes to fill, yet McClellan wasn%u2019t even close. Remember, this is a job for someone who is not only articulate, but for someone who has the President%u2019s positions memorized. McClellan could do neither. Fumbling and stumbling and mumbling, I was shocked the guy lasted 3 months, much less 3 years. I think Bush felt sorry for the guy because he was assumed to be retarded. They must have felt they had fulfilled their mandatory %u201Chire 1 disabled guy%u201D rule, and just checked off that box and stuck with him. Third thing, what is it these days with people writing memoirs? Is all sense of loyalty simply gone? Are all principles dead? Is it only about getting a book out there ASAP and making a buck? If I go back 25 years I don%u2019t recall seeing former employees backstabbing any former Presidents, yet now it seems every few months or so another person looking for some free money comes along. Guess McClellan saw Bush was in office only a few more months, and he had to rush this out to get his handful of dollars. How pathetic.

[usbrit-2009]

Stunned with the tone of the book; stunned that one of their own would go over to the dark side; or stunned that Cheney didn''t have him offed before publication?

[harrydoghiny]

Ah yes, the old "disgruntled employee" meme. How do they explain the 80% of Americans who think the county is headed in the wrong direction? "Disgruntled citizens", I suppose? Are you safer and better off than you were 8 years ago? Vote for McBush for a third term! Good job, Scotty, better late than never.

[DaveGress]

Dana - Thats all you got? Disgruntled?? How lame, how moronic of you. Something better than a stock phrase would be expected of you. Go back to liars 101 taught by Rove, Bush and Chaney.

[samrensho]

"Perino said the reports on the book had been described to Mr. Bush"

Well, they have to describe them. Bushit is too stupid to be able to read. LMAO

[demslie]

Half the stories that CBS (Communist Broadcast System) is posting are old news published for one purpose. To change the subject from O''''Bama and give the Angry Democrats something else to scream about. How about the story, "Couric Critiques Iraq War Run-Up Coverage". Does anyone really care what Catie Couric says? Even CBS is looking for a way to fire her because of the lowest ratings in network news. Couric, like all Democrats was angry at the report that said IRAN was not being honest about Nuke Weapons. Don%u2019t talk bad about the Democrats friends and partners in Al Qaeda and IRAN. That will sure make Democrats MAD Like all Democrats Couric hates Bush, The War, Capitalism, Christianity, Religion, White People, Rich People The Military, The American Flag and all Republicans. Boy, there is a "Fair and Balanced" place to get a "Critique". But Democrats are liars and cheats so, this is the type of administration we could expect from the liars and cheats being protected. like O''''Bama.

[omded]

Typical republican damage control: Character assasination.

[zorar-2009]

Is this the behavior we should teach our children...Bush "has a way of falling back on the hazy memory to protect himself from potential political embarrassment. In other words, being evasive is not the same as lying in Bush''s mind...

[DaveGress]

ddhinnyc - destablizing force. I call no AI in Iraq stable. I call no suicide bomers stable. What have you been drinking today bub?

[acolton1]

Mudrose, Mudrose, Mudrose you are such an IDIOT when it comes to Political stuff. How many Generals have quit on Bush and Rumsfield,

EVERYBODY DONT LISTEND TO A WORD MUDROSE SAYS HE IS A CUT AND PASTE DRAG QUEEN AND SAYS THE SAME STUFF OVER AND OVER AGAIN. MUDROSE THE LOOSER.

[petesis]

Dana
Someday you may be "disgruntled" too if you ever wake up and be honest.

[petesis]

Dana
Someday you may be "disgruntled" too if you ever wake up and be honest.

[republic1776]

This is all about selling books!
$$$

[acolton1]

Mudrose, Mudrose, Mudrose,

How many Military Generals have quit on the Bush Administration and then said after they quit how much of an IDIOT Bush and Rumsfield are. I lost count at 6.

[DaveGress]

ddhinnyc - what makes yuou think I care about Iraqis? I have no love no any religious nut. And I doubly hate that Americans are dieing for them.

[ridos-2009]

The neocon, Fox news watching mafia is out in full force in order to discredit McClennan. One of their tactics is to pretend that they''re Democrats while they''re posting on forums like these.

When McClennan resigned, he was simply tired of spouting neocon BS.

[acolton1]

notmudrose
I think you are the best !

Mudrose is an IDIOT.

[mexinvasion]

How about we elect Obama to the White House. He will end the war in Iraq within a year. Then we can spend 10 billion a month on securing our borders rather than on a senseless war. Also, would things get any better if every American refused to vote for incumbent congress members?? Think about that. Everyone who is in Congress now doesn''t come back in 2009. Might be worth a try.

[DaveGress]

ddhinnyc - spelling, that''s all you got? LOL. And to think I gave you credit for having a brain.

[leftyintexas]

This is all about selling books!
$$$

Posted by Republic1776 at 01:04 PM : May 28, 2008

You just keep on believing that! Ha!Ha!Ha!

[jjp735i]

Of course the White House is going to slame this book, wait, it will get even more ugly once the book is out. The Republican attack machine is just getting started. Oh the name calling might get worse, depending on how the media reports it.

[forthepeopl1]

Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan writes in a new memoir that President Bush relied on an aggressive "political propaganda campaign" instead of the truth to sell the Iraq war, it has been reported.

The Bush White House made "a decision to turn away from candor and honesty when those qualities were most needed" - a time when the nation was on the brink of war, McClellan writes in the book entitled "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington''s Culture of Deception."

The way Mr. Bush managed the Iraq issue "almost guaranteed that the use of force would become the only feasible option," the book contends, according to accounts Wednesday in The New York Times and Washington Post.

"In the permanent campaign era, it was all about manipulating sources of public opinion to the president''s advantage," McClellan writes.

White House aides seemed stunned by the scathing tone of the book, and Bush press secretary Dana Perino issued a statement that was highly critical of their former colleague.

"Scott, we now know, is disgruntled about his experience at the White House," she said. "For those of us who fully supported him, before, during and after he was press secretary, we are puzzled. It is sad - this is not the Scott we knew."

Perino said . the president said oh well, the truth hurts for a second, see all better now.

[ponco seno]

The fact is, there were NO WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION IN IRAQ, CHEMICAL,BIOLOGICAL OR NUCLEAR.
NONE, NADA... I was there.



TSGT ST ANG ##TH RECONNAISSANCE SQ (16YRS IN SERVICE)
OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH-AEF
PSAB 1998 & 2000

[demslie]

7 months, 23 and 1/2 days.

Posted by notmudrose

You are absolutely right, Democrat. John McCain is polling ahead in every major poll because he is doinig something no Democrat alive can do. While O''Bama, the DNC and the Democrat liars in network news slam McCain about 8 year old lies, McCain is sitting back and playing nice. The American People are tired of the endless Hate and Anger from O''Bama the Democrat Party. O''Bama has never answered a question about how he is going to do any of the thousand things he promised. He just says, "I Hate Bush" and thats enough for Angry Hateful Democrats. So as the Democrat Hate Rage and Anger continues, the American People are saying,
"7 months, 23 and 1/2 days." Good call, Democrat.

[acolton1]

The White House Wednesday said it was "puzzled" by a former spokesman''s memoir in which he accuses the Bush administration of being mired in propaganda and political spin and at times playing loose with the truth.

Bush the Lier, the most incompetetent president the USA has ever had. 7 months, 23 and 1/2 days until all the BUSHIES go back the the GROUP HOME IN CRAWFORD TEXAS WHERE THE TARDS CAME FROM.

[forthepeopl1]

Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan writes in a new memoir that President Bush relied on an aggressive "political propaganda campaign" instead of the truth to sell the Iraq war, it has been reported.

The Bush White House made "a decision to turn away from candor and honesty when those qualities were most needed" - a time when the nation was on the brink of war, McClellan writes in the book entitled "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington''''s Culture of Deception."

The way Mr. Bush managed the Iraq issue "almost guaranteed that the use of force would become the only feasible option," the book contends, according to accounts Wednesday in The New York Times and Washington Post.

"In the permanent campaign era, it was all about manipulating sources of public opinion to the president''''s advantage," McClellan writes.

White House aides seemed stunned by the scathing tone of the book, and Bush press secretary Dana Perino issued a statement that was highly critical of their former colleague.

"Scott, we now know, is disgruntled about his experience at the White House," she said. "For those of us who fully supported him, before, during and after he was press secretary, we are puzzled. It is sad - this is not the Scott we knew." its call, under cover to make millions on you all...

Perino said . the president said oh well, the truth hurts for a second, see all better now.

[forthepeopl1]

Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan writes in a new memoir that President Bush relied on an aggressive "political propaganda campaign" instead of the truth to sell the Iraq war, it has been reported.

The Bush White House made "a decision to turn away from candor and honesty when those qualities were most needed" - a time when the nation was on the brink of war, McClellan writes in the book entitled "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington''''''''s Culture of Deception."

The way Mr. Bush managed the Iraq issue "almost guaranteed that the use of force would become the only feasible option," the book contends, according to accounts Wednesday in The New York Times and Washington Post.

"In the permanent campaign era, it was all about manipulating sources of public opinion to the president''''''''s advantage," McClellan writes.

White House aides seemed stunned by the scathing tone of the book, and Bush press secretary Dana Perino issued a statement that was highly critical of their former colleague.

"Scott, we now know, is disgruntled about his experience at the White House," she said. "For those of us who fully supported him, before, during and after he was press secretary, we are puzzled. It is sad - this is not the Scott we knew." its call, under cover to make millions on you all, all the while laughing at all you suckers, dana

Perino said . the president said oh well, the truth hurts for a second, see all better now.

[acolton1]

Georgie W Bushie has been "Puzzled" since HE WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT, its not hard to confuse George W Bushie he has never been running on all thrusters.

[floydzeppl]

You are absolutely right, Democrat. John McCain is polling ahead in every major poll because he is doinig something no Democrat alive can do.
Posted by demslie at 01:16 PM : May 28, 2008
-------------

Well that''s a lie demslie lies. You are obviously Freakvanny RINOpublican. Lying comes easy to you now that you''ve taken Satan into your heart.

[pvperson]

Seems like almost everyone who leaves the Bush administration becomes disgruntled. How many does this make? Counting generals, it''s got to be a couple of dozen. Everybody is wrong except me becomes a thin argument eventually.

[idnnsg]

Is anyone counting the number of "disgruntled" ex Bushies who have revealed the truth behind Bush''s Folly? There''s just NO WAY to believe that they''re all lying to get revenge for some mistreatment!

The truth is, even the most despicable, reprehensible, evil, lying neocon conmen are DESPERATE to separate themselves from Bush and Cheney. An International War Crimes Tribunal is INEVITABLE!

As the authoritarian repugs like to say, "If you can''t do the time, don''t do the crime!"

[rodeo555]

. . . yes, the truth hurts, especially to those who still don''t acknowledge it . . .

[roger_inkart]

"Scott, we now know, is disgruntled about his experience at the White House" - Dana Perino

Well, Scotty must have know this kind of smear was coming. He dished out enough of them himself after all.

I remember watching that tubby, smug little twit. I used to wonder how he could tell such obvious lies and not blink. I wondered how he could stand, basically, before the eyes of the world and smear, lie distort everything and with every sentence.

I have no pity for him - he could have resigned in disgust and written his book when Bush was still (relatively) popular. While what he says is very likely accurate, it means less coming from someone with little credibility himself.

[floydzeppl]

I just love it when rats turn on each other as the ship sinks. What a hoot the NeoTards are!

[Gary Kempf]

dragonwagon;
Is the Philodendron dead or alive? Just my opinion
but if the plant is alive it would project a sense of being. Where as, if the plant is dead then I could find the part portrayed as believable.

[nothappyatall]

rites in a new memoir that President Bush relied on an aggressive "political propaganda campaign" instead of the truth to sell the Iraq war, it has been reported
The way Mr. Bush managed the Iraq issue "almost guaranteed that the use of force would become the only feasible option," the book contends"

Well we all knew THAT!

"Scott, we now know, is disgruntled about his experience at the White House," she said. "

LOL ''disgruntled'' is that what we''re calling whistle blowers still?
The court records and OSHA records are full of supposedly ''disgruntled'' ex employees who won LAWSUITS,caused companies to be shut down for violations, and executives or co-workers arrested, charged and convicted of various crimes.
I guess about 75% of the public is just ''disgruntled'' about the bush cartel''s dealings over the last 7-1/2 years too.

[gopsoccermom]

Told ya he was disgruntled. The Bush administration now confirms this. Those who disagree hate freedom and liberty.

[floydzeppl]

Make Lloyd bridges the "Bernie" character for Rumsfeld. After all, Rumsfeld acted like he was brain dead anyway.

Posted by notmudrose at 01:31 PM : May 28, 2008
---------

It wasn''t an act.

[gopsoccermom]

Fact is liberals, they found the weapons of mass destruction a long time ago so the war was justified. Can we please move on now?

[cockapoo3]

You guys are calling Rumsfeld stupid?

[floydzeppl]

Told ya he was disgruntled. The Bush administration now confirms this. Those who disagree hate freedom and liberty.

Posted by gopsoccermom at 01:33 PM : May 28, 2008
---------------

Trolling again are we?

[gopsoccermom]

cockapoo3, yes they indeed are. Can you believe it?

[floydzeppl]

You guys are calling Rumsfeld stupid?

Posted by cockapoo3 at 01:35 PM : May 28, 2008
-----------

Another Troller. A lonely life will do that to ya. Find a boy friend sweet pea.

[cockapoo3]

holy moley.. this must be like the ivy league entrance exam tests. "Ya gotta know what a chit is".

[gopsoccermom]

FloydZeppl, whats trolling?

[cockapoo3]

"Another Troller. A lonely life will do that to ya. Find a boy friend sweet pea."

Why should I when I got my imagination?

[stevex47]

It''s a good thing he''s not a CIA agent. Boosh would out him so fast his head would spin.

The rats are jumping ship. McCain meeting with boosh in secret? Gee, why?

Lots more rats will start telling the truth in the near future. It''ll be fun watching the last of the nutjobs spin, spin, spin.