Former Press Secretary's Book Bashes Bush

SelectPlusFormer Press Secretary's Book Bashes BushFormer Press Secretary's Book Bashes BushThe Associated PressFormer Press Secretary Scott McClellan's new memoir is a blistering tell-all book about President Bush, who he accuses of manipulating the truth to sell the Iraq War. (May 27)[Notes:white house pool: file McClellan footage] It's a shocking indictment from a charter member of Team Bush. [Notes:aptn: Book zoom in]This new memoir by former Press Secretary Scott McClellan calls the Iraq War a mistake -- and has harsh words for the president who ordered it. [Notes:aptn file iraq video/aptn Graphic (over Iraq file footage)?] McClellan writes the war's been a "strategic blunder'' -- and was justified by a "political propaganda campaign" that sometimes shaded the truth. [Notes:white house pool: bush at air force academy]And the president? He managed Iraq in a way that "almost guaranteed ... the use of force". [Notes:white house pool: McClellan walkin shot]That's the polar opposite of what McClellan said from the podium. [Notes:white house pool, file]MCCLELLAN SOT: "If there was a credible and legitimate opportunity to resolve it peacefully we would have pursued it." (FONT: Nov. 6, 2003) [Notes:aptn File footage Katrina, aptn file Rove, capitol hill pool Valerie Plame]Meantime, the ex-spokesman bluntly calls the Hurricane Katrina response a "failure" ... and says he was deceived by top Bush aides in the CIA leak case. [Notes:aptn: White House stock]The White House seemed stunned by such language. [Notes:white house pool: File footage Perino]McClellan's successor, Dana Perino, called him "disgruntled", adding this is not the Scott we knew. [Notes:aptn satellite interview: Fleischer]Bush's FIRST press secretary, Ari Fleischer, asks why the "sudden revelation"? [Notes:aptn satellite interview: Fleischer] FLEISCHER SOT: "MY QUARREL HERE IS, IS IT ACCURATE? BECAUSE SCOTT NEVER GAVE ANY INCLINATIONS THAT THIS IS WHAT HE THOUGHT" FONT: Ari Fleischer, former White House press secretary [Notes:abc pool: mcclellan walk shot]But the book's author was voicing no regrets. MCCLELLAN SOT: "SOT: I THINK THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF COMMENTS BUT PEOPLE HAVEN'T REALLY HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE BOOK. ITS GOT AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE THAT I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT." [Notes:aptn: Hunt thumbing through book]Still, reporters thumbing copies of the book were struck by the tone. HUNT SOT: (1:00) Scott was regarded as one of the most loyal of Bush loyalists and now he has completely turned on his former boss the president. (FONT: Terence Hunt, AP Chief White House Correspondent) [Notes:Bush at USAF Academy commencement]Indeed, though not commenting on the book, Bush used a commencement speech to again defend the war. BUSH SOT: "These successes will come -- and when they do, our nation will have achieved victory, and the American people will be more secure. (Applause.)" (FONT U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Co.) [Notes:Standup close]To the president's critics, this book comes as vindication -- portraying an unquestioning leader marching to a mistaken war. As to Bush loyalists, they're trying to project more sorrow than anger -- but right now there seems plenty of both.MS, The Associated Press, the White House

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[WTCnucleardemolition]

google: Quadri-Track ZCT

[lumpagogo]

Notice how W Bush still struts around as though he's bigger than Arnold; fake and phony man, we are sad to say, is W Bush.

[ratsemor]

Big props for coming clean, can't believe someone in his position would turn on his PuppetMaster. Ari Fleischer is a lying bitch, hes a loyal lap dog and a lemming, he knows he lied one time or another for Papa Bush,..it's his job to lie when he has to and do it while his hand is on the bible.

[airrunwesker]

What a big baby!

[hypnofan35]

Scott McClellen is just diffusing all the scumbag crap these jerkgoofs pulled! They know they did stuff that is bad enough to turn out their lights. They are trying to put some kind of human face on what they did; hence the Scott McClellen book and the show of official solidarity. They are like Nazis who are on their way to Nuremberg. It's hard to believe that they are getting away with there hundreds of billions in their Saudi and UAE numbered accounts. Lock them up. Take their money away.

[airrunwesker]

McClellan is a wild cat!

Tunred on it's owner... it happens:}

I won't be first in line to buy his book... but I wouldn't pass it up at the dollar store either. Besides, I need something to smack myself over the head with for voting republican last time!

[airrunwesker]

Agreed! I was going to respond to another comment, but I am with you ibuchite! rr93455 claims he is only 21~! This is very sad! I don't know why he is so angry!

[arcticvulcano]

oh, the comment above is a response to airrunwesker

McClellan wrote a book about things I wanted to know, so from my point of view, he did me a favor.

[arcticvulcano]

Well, loyalty is good and all, but from where I am standing, I care less about his loyalty to the president and more about his loyalty to the American people. I don't know what type of a person he is and whether he's an opportunist or an idealist, or a bit of both, but as long as he does something that serves me, I have no reason to complain.

I am sure his former colleagues are feeling disceived, and that's understandable, but I don't count that against him.

[lbuchite]

You need to improve your outlook on life. I'm sure there are those that do care if you live or die.