If former White House press secretary Scott McClellan had any credibility left, he certainly lost it on Tuesday when he admitted to Fox New's Bill O'Reilly that he was not aware of talking points being sent by the Bush administration to the "Factor" host.
This of course was a flat out contradiction of statements made by McClellan on last Friday's "Hardball" with Chris Matthews.
Not only did McClellan retract his accusation that while he was in the White House talking points were being sent to O'Reilly, but under what turned into almost a cross-examination on Tuesday's "Radio Factor," the former press secretary apologized (audio available here, h/t Hot Air via NBer Thomas Stewart, photo courtesy TVNewser):
The truth is I messed up. I was specifically not trying to single anyone out, including you. But the way a couple of the questions were phrased in that interview along with my response left things open to interpretation and I should not have let that happen.
Listen to the whole thing, for O'Reilly completely nails this guy.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Chris Matthews is the
July 30, 2008 - 09:39 ET by Susan IChris Matthews is the tool. He goads everyone into saying things, then cuts them off when he gets half an answer. McClellan is a tool as well, as I believe whatever he says is just for the liberal media. No REAL journalist will listen to the crap he is selling
While I'm happy to see that
July 30, 2008 - 09:41 ET by Chris NormanWhile I'm happy to see that little back stabber get his, I'm sure O'Reilly will point out McClellan's mounted head on his den wall to everyone over the next couple of weeks - over and over again. He was already doing it last night after the McClellan segment ended.
McNotObama '08
Chris, It really makes me wonder...
July 30, 2008 - 09:49 ET by goldenthroatCN,
It really makes me wonder how a back-stabbing traitor like McClellan can live with himself and sleep at night.
I guess we can look at it this way - he has shown his true colors by demonstrating he is just another R-I-N-O. Or perhaps, WAS one. Now he is beginning to sound like a J-A-C-K-A-S-S.
"How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?" - Firesign Theatre
this is handy -
July 30, 2008 - 12:59 ET by TruthMongerthis is handy - thanks!
I'm going to use it when I talk about McCain:)
fits perfectly
Hi gt.... I heard all
July 30, 2008 - 13:05 ET by bigtimerHi gt....
I heard all this last night...I have wondered before, may have posted such too, not sure...anyway, during the BOR show and listening to Scotty being trapped with his own words/lies....I can't help but wonder if he wasn't always a dem type of mole for years, befriending Pres. Bush long before he ever knew it or came to the WH.
He is a form of the lowest life.
A bug to be crushed.
As he was last night...and yesterday afternoon on BOR radio show.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
If Scotty-boy has no
July 30, 2008 - 09:44 ET by mattmIf Scotty-boy has no knowledge to back up the "facts" he spews, then they are not facts, and therefore, since he knows he has no knowledge of this, then his "facts" are lies. He is a liar.
Vision
July 30, 2008 - 10:07 ET by cvgbuckeyeJust for a moment;;;;;;;;lets place before our eyes a mental image of Scott McClellan standing on the stage alongside Tony Snow.
How would you compare these two men with one another?
How would you guess that they will be judged?
Which one should you admire and which should be pitied?
Which one would you rather have in your foxhole guarding your back that you are certain would not cut and run?
O'Reilly SHOULD have his head on the wall as should all decent Americans have his head on their walls; the little insect.
unbelievable
July 30, 2008 - 09:58 ET by candanceWhat really gets me in all this is that Tingles didn't bother to ask him for proof or cross examine in any way. He was goading Scott along. And then the other networks picked it up and ran with it as if it were gospel truth.
Then Scott tries to cover his tracks by saying he "left it open to interpretation." Yeah I can tell he works in politics because he's really good at spinning things to make himself look innocent.
With any hope this will be the end of Scott McClellan.
Ugh...the only thing worse
July 30, 2008 - 09:58 ET by balboaUgh...the only thing worse than BOR is BOR when he actually turns out to be right.
Shouldn't it be an unwritten rule to never, ever put yourself into a position where you have to apologize to him?
One of the lefty commenters got it right
July 30, 2008 - 10:09 ET by sarcasmoThis one was just too easy for them to believe to actually be worth checking. At least we got video of Bill's meltdown this year.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
well Bal
July 30, 2008 - 10:18 ET by candanceYes I think there is such a rule - but Scott was so clueless he walked right into this. You have to admit that going on Hardball and accusing BOR of peddling government talking points is a pretty big deal.
Could the "unwritten rule"
July 30, 2008 - 10:29 ET by BuffNBoneCould the "unwritten rule" be the reason Obama declines to be on BOR's show?
"Fighters are fun but bombers make policy"
McClellan
July 30, 2008 - 10:03 ET by PurdueMattIs Worthless.
McClellan
July 30, 2008 - 10:12 ET by Crusader16The man has not one shred of loyalty or honor. The most descriptive word I can think of is "Weasel".
MCclellan is a liar and a traitor and a narcissist.
July 30, 2008 - 10:31 ET by c5thenIt's all about him, acording to him. Good for BOR for making the facts available and forcing McClellan to eat his words. And this is from FoxNews who is always accused (on the KOS insane assylum) of 'making sh*t up'. I guess that compares to CBS and Dan Rather who is the pinnacle of journalistic integrity?
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
I am a big Bush fan but not
July 30, 2008 - 10:34 ET by buddycI am a big Bush fan but not about his appointment of McClellan as press secretary. He was incompetent from day 1. Bush made a huge mistake appointing this guy and all republicans are paying for it now.
BOR and NB are the only sources I trust
July 30, 2008 - 10:37 ET by Pha PhaHey Balboa,
BOR and this great website are the only places I trust to get the straight poop on the MSN. He is a little pompous, but he admits that.
Amd Matthews and Olberschmuck are biggest BS artists going.
"A donut with no hole is a danish"
A "little"? And the fact
July 30, 2008 - 11:25 ET by balboaA "little"?
And the fact that he admits it doesn't help any.
suffering from Beltway Disorder
July 30, 2008 - 10:49 ET by wizardjrScotty boy is in the full self promotion mode. So, he'll say anything that seems to make him more important and thus more worth knowing and pandering to. It's good for book sales.
In the meantime, the lame stream media will instantly publish anything that supports one of the story lines that Bush is a crook, Bush is stupid, Bush is a liar, etc., etc. Their problem being that the new media vet this stuff and can publically declare shinanigans to the world when it turns out to be all BS (which is now approaching 100%)
Let's Stipulate . . .
July 30, 2008 - 11:16 ET by Caringwhiteguy. . . that Scotty Boy was in way over his head as Press Secretary. Let's stipulate that his book was a piece of crap. Let's stipulate that Scotty allowed himself to be used by MSNBC and others so that he could sell his book, and that Scotty did neither the President nor the country any favors by being a toady for the Left.
That said, who appointed Scotty Press Secretary? Could it have been the same guy that appointed Paul O'Neill Treasury Secretary and nominated Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court? Could it have been the same guy who ceded issue after issue to the left by his disinterest or his inability to lead?
Furthermore it seems O'Reilly is a lot more concerned about any damage done to his own bruised ego than the damage Scotty and MSNBC are doing to all the rest of us. His inflated indignation far exceeds his talent and his worth to the conservative movement. BOR will continue to milk this latest incident for as long as he can (which will be far too long for many).
There's enough blame to go around in this sad scenario, and McClellan is only one of those deserving.
well caring
July 30, 2008 - 11:28 ET by candanceI can't blame BOR about caring for his own reputation. That was a personal attack on him, and it would look a little strange for him to go on a crusade on behalf of Sean Hannity.
BOR got Scott to admit he was lying which does enough to cast doubt on the whole story. And if Sean wants his own name cleared, he's a big boy who can do it himself.
Well said,
July 30, 2008 - 12:11 ET by NewsbusterbrownWell said, Candance.
“There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan (1964 Republican Convention)
Not only that, But BOR has
July 30, 2008 - 15:25 ET by general companyNot only that, But BOR has been the only one up till now that has been pointing out media bais and falsehoods
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Scotty WAS NOT the press
July 30, 2008 - 11:20 ET by nicksmith112Scotty WAS NOT the press secretary until JULY,17,2003!!
Ari Fleischer has stated in interviews that SCOTTY had no part in the pre-war "selling" of the war!!
They NEVER mention that on MessNBC.
Ari on CNN..
http://www.youtube.c...
1:33 into the clip!
Mary Matalin was not to fond of Scotty
http://www.youtube.c...
about 2:50 into the clip
I'm a refugee from the Democratic Party.
McClellan is a......
July 30, 2008 - 11:53 ET by BEGRUNTliar, a hypocrite, and a stench in the nose of honest men. Anything that comes from him should be automatically treated as lies. What a little, little man.
"If a man does his best, what else is there"?
General George S. Patton Jr.
McClellan did damage to the
July 30, 2008 - 13:38 ET by Chris NormanMcClellan did damage to the Bush Administration with his bumbling and stumbling ways. Now, he does the same to himself. Sometimes, I truly wonder if the Bush Administration had an affirmative action program for mediocre embarrassments who couldn't explain or defend anything effectively.
McNotObama '08
He wasn't trying to single anyone out???
July 30, 2008 - 15:09 ET by RickTaLifeIs he serious? What do you call naming the exact people that you're pointing to Mr. McClellan? I don't know about you, but I'd call it singling people out.
Good for O'Reilly, this guy needs to be hit over the head with his lies.
Hehe, if I were president, I'd make O'Reilly my press secratary. :-P
I don't believe either of them...
July 30, 2008 - 21:32 ET by ImAllRightWhile McClellan ratted out his ex boys in the WH much of it was what needed to be said. The group currently there are one of the least trustworthy adminastrations I've ever seen. I do see Scott as a bit of a snitch but I feel nothing for these fools that can only leave too soon. At this point though he'll say anything to be seen, enough already.
O'Reilly on the other hand is nothing more than a blubbering sexual preadator. (See Andrea Mackris...impossible to have any respect for him after that)
Noel, you'd be the wiser to just keep that disgusting animal O' Reilly off of your blog as best you can. He disgusts me and if anyone wants a reason as to why then here...http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1013043mackris1.html.
Both of them just need to go away.
"Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.” - William F. Buckley Jr.
Yes, Ms. Mackris made a
July 30, 2008 - 21:42 ET by BlazerYes, Ms. Mackris made a personal accusation against Mr. O'Reilly and it was posted on the "TSG" website along with a slew of other high profile famous people.
Doesn't mean he was guilty of it. TSG is no different than TMZ.
However, I failed to see where Mr. O'Reilly was tried, convicted, fired from his job or had to pay Ms. Mackris any damages.
This story has no legs and in fact died about two yrs. ago.
I think the part you left out on Ms. Mackris's behalf, was "disgruntled" and "opportunistic".
Perhaps you know more than the rest of us and can elaborate.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Matter of fact...
July 30, 2008 - 23:16 ET by ImAllRightThere was an out-of-court settlement where she got anywhere from $2 million -$10 million from Bill per the NY Daily News and a simple internet search could show you multiple other sources.
Pretty simple search options: O Reilly Mackris settlement, Mackris condo, O Reilly scandal Mackris.
Not long after the settlement she put down over $800,000 on a new condo which I doubt she could have got on a Fox Producer salary which was about $90,000 from what I've read.
Look, I used to like FNC and enjoyed watching most of their lineup but it was only after I stopped watching that I was fully able to see just how much BS they put out there. Its no better than MSNBC, only that Fox tends to be more in line with my views, but if I see a blatant distortion then it still makes them no better than any other outlet that pushes an anti Republican story over a bad news Dem. story.
If you honestly see O' Reilly as such a stand up guy then why don't you read the actual document. It is a court document in which a settlement was handed down, but you wouldn't know that by only watching Fox or looking solely to their website for news.
As much as I dislike the political leanings of many in the MSM, for the most part you still need to read the articles off of their sites and watch certain reports that they do. Since not everything is always political alot can be learned when a decent report is shown. One outlet for news is not enough to truly understand the country and what is happening in it.
BTW...Though I'm a guy in my early 30's I think I could see why Ms. Mackris would be "disgruntled" as you put it.
Wake up, Blazer, and think for yourself. Outside a few old school commentators such as Krauthammer and the few other real conservatives that are rarely ever on anymore, Fox has gone to sensationalist's and alarmist's. No real journalism anymore, unless you count Bill's ambushing people where they live - yet another reason to turn him off.
O' Reilly is a major reason for the joke that they've become. Read up a bit on Bill and you'll see that a Traditionalist he is not.
and if I seem a bit annoyed its because I am. I wasted a few years actually buying the junk that he says as fact without ever looking for myself.
"Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.” - William F. Buckley Jr.
Whatever floats your boat
July 31, 2008 - 20:12 ET by BlazerWhatever floats your boat Allright, but Bill had no criminal charges levied against and is still on the air, making millions, he's popular as ever and your still pissed.
Perhaps he just decided to go on and pay the trollop off instead of being tried in the court of public opinion, no matter what happened, when the rest of the MSM was through with him, he would have come out looking like a serial rapist, I mean he is Fox's top ratings drawer. He took one for the team.
Although I believe Fox is "fair and balanced" maybe not enough so, for a puritan conservative or libertarian or whatever like yourself.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Whatever floats your boat
July 31, 2008 - 20:12 ET by Blazer-delete double post
okay allright
July 30, 2008 - 22:15 ET by candanceSo...BOR allegedly had a romantic relationship so now it's okay to make up stories about the White House sending him talking points?
Face it AllRight - you didn't bring that up because it had any relevance to this article. You just wanted to bash BOR.
From your post I surmise that you think BOR really was getting orders from the White House. Either convince me of this with something more than "Bush is Hitler" or admit that BOR had a right to challenge the story.
...
July 30, 2008 - 23:27 ET by ImAllRightI actually believe Bill when he says that he never DIRECTLY recieved a WH talking point, but I do think McClellan was telling the truth in regards to Sean and FNC in general. Bill is his own guy and I think his ego is to big to take an order from anyone.
Bill was right to ask for a personal apology but I still find it childish the way he lashes out so angrily when the underlying point that McClellan originally made was most likely valid. I do think that the WH and Moody most likely do/did formulate a gameplan to talk up during the day and the week. I think Bill does go off that a bit but not directly from a specific order to do so.
And yes, I will bash O' Reilly, because being the loudest in the room doesn't make him right. Had he been eloquent and composed he could have made Scott to look more of a fool than ever but he always loses his cool and covers his own valid point with a fit that only a child would throw. "Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.” - William F. Buckley Jr.
I really like your argument
July 30, 2008 - 23:50 ET by Dan The Man 2I really like your argument skills and the fact you back up your assertions with links and logic. All in the caliber of your low grade troll. This seems to be your idea of debate and comment.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
They So Sorry
July 31, 2008 - 13:58 ET by Lee BoggsWhen will Matthews' and MSNBC's apologies air?