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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