Puzzled And Disappointed

The White House wasted no time fighting back on Wednesday as the buzz billowed in Washington, D.C. over former Press Secretary Scott McClellan's book, "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception."  

"He is puzzled," current Press Secretary Dana Perino said of Mr. Bush, "he doesn't recognize this as the Scott McClellan that he hired and confided in and worked with for so many years."

"I think it's just a sad situation," added Perino.  

Perino ironically was hired by McClellan, putting her in a unique position to twist the knife right back at him, especially on his statements about Iraq and the Bush Administration misleading the American people in the run up to the War with Saddam.   

"So it's just curious to me why all of a sudden it seems that these were his actual feelings," said Perino.  

It's hard for us, especially for me, who has been a very good friend to him.  And of course, I wish him well.  We all wish him well.  Nobody has any ill feelings.  We just think it's a sad situation.

Here's a snippet from the White House Gaggle with reporters.

Q    Did Scott tell you personally about his concerns that he raised in the book?  Because I know you said you're a friend of Scott's.

MS. PERINO:  Never.

Q    I'm sorry, what?

Q    "Never" to have what?  I didn't hear it all.
 
MS. PERINO:  His question was, had I ever heard such concerns?  And I said, "Never."

Doesn't sound like Dana will be having tea with the McClellans anytime soon.  

Most likely this will fade away soon enough, but not before the President gets asked about it at a White House photo op or in a news conference.  

And of course, McClellan will have to do a round of TV interviews, etc.  

Plus, add on what the Democrats are certain to grab from this on Iraq and more, and it will stick around.  

Since I don't cover the White House for the most part, I had few dealings McClellan.  But I always felt like he was an odd choice for a White House Press Secretary.  He was much more of a loyalist instead of media wizard.  

McClellan replaced Ari Fleischer, who while he was a bit wordy, at least seemed like his head was in the political game.  McClellan too often seemed overmatched in the White House Briefing Room, lacking in the rhetorical flourishes of Fleischer or Tony Snow.  

Meanwhile, retiring Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) says he will be writing a book as well.

Can't wait for the chapter on his Minneapolis airport sex sting bathroom arrest. 

The White House wasted no time fighting back on Wednesday as the buzz billowed in Washington, D.C. over former Press Secretary Scott McClellan's book, "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception."   "He is puzzled," current Press Secretary Dana Perino said of Mr. Bush, "he ...