During yesterday's press briefing Scott McClellan was asked about his soon-to-be replacement, Tony Snow. Perhaps the most interesting exchange was when a reporter asked McClellan what his "unique style" was. He responded, "Putting up with you."
Q Nancy Pelosi says that having Tony Snow now behind the podium there is not going to make much difference. What would you say to that?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think Tony Snow is going to do a great job for the President. I saw him earlier today, and looked up at him and told him, "I used to be your height before I started in this position." (Laughter.)
Q We'll do that for him.
MR. McCLELLAN: He's someone who brings a good outside perspective. He's got a lot of diverse experience in the media, which will be very helpful. He's spent 25 years in the media, the print side, the radio and TV broadcast side of things, as well. He's also someone that's worked in the government. And he's certainly got some strong views, and I think that's a good thing.
Q But what about specifically that point that Nancy Pelosi is making, she thinks it's not going to be --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that Tony Snow is going to do an outstanding job for the President. And the President looks forward to him joining the team here shortly, and I look forward to doing all I can to help him.
Q Given the fact that you've been in this job now for almost three years, what advice do you have for him?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I had a good conversation with him over the weekend, and we talked about this position. And I provided him some of that advice. And I did so in private. I look forward to continuing to provide him some of my thoughts and insights into this position.
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Q The fact that Tony Snow is now, as I understand it, a talk radio host, means that the President --
MR. McCLELLAN: You were not considered, Les. (Laughter.)
Q -- recognizes that talk radio is, along with the Internet, America's new major media thrust, replacing most newspapers and old liberal TV and magazines, doesn't it? (Laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: I think it's healthy to have a diversity of viewpoints from within the media.
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Q Scott, is the role and scope of the Press Secretary's job going to be fine tuned or changed at all with the change, or is it status quo?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think any Press Secretary brings their own unique style and perspectives to the position. And so I think that if there are any changes to announce, Tony will do that as he gets in here and starts to begin his work. And so I think those are questions best directed to him.
Q What is your unique style? (Laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: Putting up with you. (Laughter.)
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Q Just a personal question, just wondering how you're feeling today with this transition, what your plans are for the future? What do you want to do when you grow up?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't think today is the day to get into all the reflecting. It's not the couch trip day yet. I'm still here for another week and a half, two weeks, and I think we can talk about that as I start walking out the door. Right now I just see the door. But I'm looking forward to it. My wife is looking forward to it, as well. In all our time together, it has only been in this position, so we're looking forward to starting that next chapter in our life together, and spending a little more time with her.
