by David Nitkin and Jill Rosen
Reaction to the tell-all book of former White House press secretary Scott McClellan continues, and it's not just those inside President Bush's circle who are critiquing the effort and the political culture that produces such a work.
Ron Nessen, former press secretary to President Gerald R. Ford and now with the Brookings Institution, said he is surprised that the book is commanding so much attention.
"If this were a secretary of state or national security adviser or policy type who lost policy battles when the president decided otherwise, I think that would be understandable," Nessen said. "My view of my job as press secretary was nobody gives a damn what the press secretary thinks."
Eric Miles Williamson, a National Book Critics Circle board member and writing professor at Central Missouri State University, found it "curious" that McClellan didn't write about -- or at least speak out about -- what disturbed him at the time. He said he considers it "bad form."
"There's no better late than never," he says. "At this point it's revealing, but it's not going to change the Bush administration's legacy."
McClellan, on the other hand will be "remembered as having, let's say, retrospective courage," Williamson said.
But Chris Kelley, a political science professor at Miami University in Ohio, compares tell-all's like McClellan's "to pulling the curtain on the Wizard of Oz."
"Americans get to see -- and are sometimes shocked at--how little currency is placed in the truth because of politics," he said.
See more reaction here, in a story from today's Baltimore Sun.
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Comments
Although we knew already, now Americans can listen to what a press secretary, or Liar-in-Chief, says and know that it's all spin and lies.
Posted by: DD | May 30, 2008 12:10 PM
Its amazing that all the media is looking for the reason for this book.
Its the "MONEY" duh!
Posted by: paul & Beverly Jaeger | May 30, 2008 12:32 PM
It should be expected that when the rats leave the ship, they'll be signing a book deal. Mcclellan is cashing in no doubt, just as others have when they left the administration...and it would be naive to not expect others when the ship has finally hit rock bottom.
http://politicalgraffiti.wordpress.com/2008/05/30/bush-hater-of-the-month-club/
Posted by: David Donar | May 30, 2008 1:05 PM
"FRED FIELDING SPEAKS"
WE NEED DISTRACTIONS!
WHERE IS KOBE!
WHERE IS BARRY!
GET O.J. READY!
STALL RESKO, STALL RESKO!
GET WESLEY AGAIN!
GET SOMETHING "BLACK"
GET SOMETHING "FEMALE"
GET "LARRY CRAIG"
GET "ARMSTRONG"
GET ME SOMETHING!
GET MATT MCCELLLAN!
GET RICK RE NZI RE NZI AND LET HIM TAKE ONE FOR THE "TEAM"
GET "RUDY" LET HIM TAKE ONE FOR THE "TEAM"
JUST KATIE! LET HER TAKE ONE FOR OUR NETWORK TEAM.
JUST GET GEORGE BUSH, DAVID ADDINGTON, CONDI RICE AND DICK CHENEY ANY DISTRACTION YOU CAN!
GET PRIME MINISTER OLMERT! ANYBODY!
WE NEED DISTRACTIONS!
WE NEED DISTRACTIONS!
CONVERTER BOXES GO ON SALE IN FEBRUARY!
TIME ISN'T ON OUR SIDE!
WE NEED DISTRACTIONS!
GET ME MICHAEL VICK!
GET ME SOMEONE "BLACK"
GET ME SOMEONE "FEMALE"
BUSH KNEW TOO!
Posted by: Roger Morris | May 30, 2008 1:55 PM
I watched McClellan on C-SPAN this morning. I believe he is being sincere with the writing of this book. There were no "tells" (blinking, clearing of the throat, looking down) while he was answering callers questions. He answered the questions directly and into the camera. I applaud him for coming out and finally telling the truth. He did not get an advance for this book and did not write it to "cash in" as everyone has said. He wants others that may find themselves in the same position in new administrations, to learn from his experiences.
Some points I found interesting are that he feels that the WH has became too compartmentalized and that with our sort of open government, all things good or bad should be told to the American people. He also said that this administration is too secretive and people should wonder just what they are up to. I hope now he can sleep at night with a clear conscience.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | May 30, 2008 3:31 PM
I believe Scott and understand why he did not say anything while he was a part of the administration. If you are under the direct command of the Commander-In-Chief then you do and say what he tells you to. Anyone that has been in the military knows exactly what I am saying. General Petraeus is not being honest, he is only repeating what the President has told him to say. General Colin Powell got out after one term, and you have to ask yourself why. He probably knew that some of the things that he was saying were untrue so he wanted to get out as soon as he could before his good name was tarnished. He probably will never come out with a tell-all book because of military honor, but he may begin to say things that do not put President Bush in a good light.
Posted by: brotayo | May 30, 2008 4:32 PM