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Et Tu, Scottie?

May 27, 2008 7:36 PM

Former White House press secretary Scott McClellan's memoir about his time at the Bush White House turns out to be far more scathing than predicted, Politico's Mike Allen writes.

In his "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington’s Culture of Deception" (Public Affairs, $27.95), McClellan writes about the war in Iraq that President Bush "and his advisers confused the propaganda campaign with the high level of candor and honesty so fundamentally needed to build and then sustain public support during a time of war. … [I]n this regard, he was terribly ill-served by his top advisers, especially those involved directly in national security."

The White House "spent most of the first week in a state of denial" after Hurricane Katrina, McClellan writes. "One of the worst disasters in our nation’s history became one of the biggest disasters in Bush’s presidency. Katrina and the botched federal response to it would largely come to define Bush’s second term. And the perception of this catastrophe was made worse by previous decisions President Bush had made, including, first and foremost, the failure to be open and forthright on Iraq and rushing to war with inadequate planning and preparation for its aftermath."

He hammers former senior presidential advisers Karl Rove and Scooter Libby for having "at best misled" him about their roles in the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's name as retaliation to a negative op-ed against Bush from Plame's husband, former Ambassador Joe Wilson. "(T)he top White House officials who knew the truth -- including Rove, Libby, and possibly Vice President Cheney -- allowed me, even encouraged me, to repeat a lie," McClellan writes. "I had allowed myself to be deceived into unknowingly passing along a falsehood. It would ultimately prove fatal to my ability to serve the president effectively. I didn’t learn that what I’d said was untrue until the media began to figure it out almost two years later."

Sounds like a remarkably candid book. Guess McClellan won't be invited to the Crawford ranch for that lesbian wedding Jenna Bush told Ellen DeGeneres she could hold there.

- jpt

UPDATE: ABC News' Senior White House correspondent Martha Raddatz reports that the book jacket includes these words from McClellan: "As press secretary, I spent countless hours defending the administration from the podium in the White House briefing room. Although the things I said then were sincere, I have since come to realize that some of them were badly misguided." He also says: "History appears poised to confirm what most Americans today have decided -- that the decision to invade Iraq was a serious strategic blunder...What I do know is that war should only be waged when necessary , and the Iraq war was not. Waging an unecessary war is a grave mistake. But in reflecting on all that happened during the Bush administration, I've come to believe that an even more fundamental mistake was made -- a decision to turn away from candor and honesty when those qualities were most needed."

May 27, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (122)

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Lola, Assuming Bush really lied to get us into Iraq, YOUR party fell for that lie hook, line, and sinker. The Democrats in Congress at that time, including Murtha, and Hillary herself, voted for that war. Either they were the most stupid living creatures on two legs, or maybe Bush wasn't lying after all. Saddam DID have poison gas which was a WMD.

I think it's obvious Scott McLellan got a sweet book deal and if he said what the Democrats wanted him to say during this election year to help them in their campaign, McLellan would strike it rich. There are MANY holes in his book.

Posted by: marco123 | May 28, 2008 9:35:31 AM

Not only was he not sincere at the time, he wasn't even a talented liar, as Ari Fleischer was. McClellan is consistent, though: then, as now, he was doing whatever he thought would yield the greatest personal benefit. Nowhere, then or now, did concern for his country enter the picture.

Posted by: Tom | May 28, 2008 9:31:33 AM

McClellan clearly is an opportunist. This story is NOT about Bush -it is about McClellan. It is McClellan who will have to live with his personal decision to publish a book in the height of an election campaign to gain the most possible monetary gain from book sales. The passion of the electorate is heated to boiling point and we can be sure it will be a 'Best Seller." McClellan can expect to get a big job offer from the main stream media soon with a big signing $bonus. He has sold his soul to the company store and he will have to live with it.
Too bad, Scottie; but, we all have regrets with which we have to overcome.
McCAIN 2008! -dodge the unacceptable alternative (go hold you nose and vote).

Posted by: Concerned | May 28, 2008 9:31:20 AM

I think Bush and his cronies should be investigated and possibly arrested for high crimes and misdemeanors for their deceitful roles over the past 6 years.

Posted by: nomoretv | May 28, 2008 9:30:48 AM

Years from now, the world will look back on this administration and say: "How could Americans have sat back and done nothing!!?" (Sounds a little like...uh...Nazi Germany?) Of course, by then it'll be too late and you will all be part of the passive society that failed to send Bush, Cheney, and co. to their rightful places in The Hague where they should be tried for war crimes against humanity. If not them, then who??? "Almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. Only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement."

Posted by: Jasper Eliot | May 28, 2008 9:29:26 AM

Everyone bashing this man should remember that the Bush Admn. went after anyone and everyone who even remotely disagreed with them. Remember how they treated Colin Powell when he tried to disagree with their invasion of Iraq? As he stated, "They put me on ice." They ignored him and ostracized him in meetings. They had meetings he should have been included in, but left him out. Now to mention the threats and defaming ones character. This present admn. is ruthless and I believe, would have stopped at nothing to silence McCellan. Then remember what happen to Valerie Plaine in retaliation for he husband speaking out against the war and this admn?

Posted by: Think_Back_People! | May 28, 2008 9:28:30 AM

Some people knew before GW took office that he would attack Iraq-he just needed a reason. That he and his staff cooked up the reasons was pretty obvious. Now McClellan, who was one of the liars, has decided to make money off the deal.

I really pity the folks who love GW so much they can do nothing better than resort to childish name-calling in reference to the HUGE majority of citizens who know GW to be the falsehood that he is.

Posted by: Jeff | May 28, 2008 9:26:38 AM

Dawn no one ever claimed Clinton was perfect, but he didn't lead the US into an illegal war and cost thousands of lives.


God, you've even got someone who was there saying it was all lies...what else will it take to cinvince Bush apologists?

Posted by: Lola | May 28, 2008 9:23:45 AM

I do support President Bush. I believe that everyone is trying to get their 15 minutes!! All you liberals out there think you are so perfect but should I remind you of the last president. We need to be respectful of the highest office in the world. Show some respect people!!

Posted by: Dawn | May 28, 2008 9:11:55 AM

Typical Rove. Try to find an angle to discredit valid work. Perhaps he learned the definition of is that clinton spoke of.

Posted by: olin | May 28, 2008 9:08:03 AM

Its funny how he got the urge to tell the truth "after the horse is already out of the barn". Too bad he didnt have that much integrity during the lead up to the war, or before the second election. He waits until the majority of the country has already figured out the truth, then says"OH! I knew that too!" Hes just as responsible as the rest. He and Powell belong in the same trash dump.And for Jo"Liberal Mainstream media????? " What rock have you been hiding under. The media belongs to the conservatives, thats how they sold, and continue to promote the war, and Bush's other idiot ideas. Find out what you can about the Winter Soldier hearings. You wont find it on "The Liberal Mainstream media"{the media is OWNED by CONSERVATIVES"

Posted by: resada | May 28, 2008 8:57:00 AM

msnbc's article on this was much better

Posted by: Max | May 28, 2008 8:56:12 AM

I think ABC News makes a major mistake when it compares McClellen to Brutus as if McClellen is a traitor when in reality it takes a lot of courage to tell the American People the truth about what really went on in the white house. Congress has issued subpoeanas and scandle boils under the lid and ABC response is to post a headline that criticizes the only person to break ranks and tell the truth about what was really going on in the White House. The major news outlets normally dictate the level of scrutiny and should accept some responsibility for the lack of objective criticism as the administration led us to war. Now when someone inside speaks out they make fun of them. Unless someone gets there head out of there ass I think congress should consider revoking FCC licenses of the "Corporate" news providers. I realize it will never happen but why aren't people outraged.

Posted by: Mike Donoghue | May 28, 2008 8:49:40 AM

I hope that someday in the near future the International Criminal Court will indict the whole bunch....

Posted by: Boris | May 28, 2008 8:49:38 AM

Not buying that at the time he was sincere.

Posted by: Sandra | May 28, 2008 8:49:12 AM

It's all about cashing in.

Posted by: LongT | May 28, 2008 8:43:14 AM

Sorry "Reality" -- that was for Gino

Posted by: ms dem | May 28, 2008 8:41:38 AM

to "reality"
I'm not sure what planet you're from, but you say you are "proud" to be one of the 28% who back Bush and are on the side of reality and intelligence(?), and the other 72% of us who really do see the truth are morons?? Wow - get a grip.

Posted by: ms dem | May 28, 2008 8:37:41 AM

McClellen is entitled to his view....but there is somthing kinda cowardly about a person that betrays his ex boss like that ....The guy gives me the creeps

Posted by: TD91964 | May 28, 2008 8:32:47 AM

druggstohr - Powell did eventually resign. I still think that the man has more integrity than Bush ever did. I also think that Mccain would be beaten by my dog, not only because he is a Republican but he is to inarticulate and has no real ideas on how to help people in this economy. He does not even have an idea on how to fix the economy. He is a military expert. It takes more than military expertise to run a country. I think most Americans know this.

Posted by: JENNY | May 28, 2008 8:30:19 AM

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