Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
James S. Brady Briefing Room
June 24, 2005 2:10 P.M. EDT
[in part]
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, I think you can go back and look at those time periods and look at what we said during that time period. This is a very critical period in Iraq. Here's why: because the terrorists are trying to test our resolve, and they're trying to shake the will of the international community and the Iraqi people. The terrorists, as General Abizaid --
Q They've been doing that for months, don't you agree or --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, as General Abizaid talked about, there have been a growing number of foreign terrorists coming in to Iraq, because they recognize that Iraq is a central front in the war on terrorism. And, Bill, we are a nation that is at war. And the Commander-in-Chief believes it's important to keep the American people informed about --
Q Yes, but what's changed?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, are you going to let me finish, or are you going to keep jumping in?
Q Well, you said the same thing before, and I accept what you say. But what's changed?
MR. McCLELLAN: I was just talking to you --
Q It's the same condition that we found ourselves in a year ago.
MR. McCLELLAN: I was just outlining to you why it's a critical period --
Q Yes, but it was a critical period for the same reason then.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- in Iraq, and we are a nation at war. And the Commander-in-Chief has a responsibility to keep the American people informed about the progress we're making and the strategy we have for succeeding. It's important that the American people know the progress that we're making and they understand the difficulties and dangers that lie ahead. This is a time when we are seeing that the enemy is determined and ruthless in the violence that they seek to spread to try to shake our will and shake our resolve. And that's why it's important to talk to the American people. It was important to talk to the American people at that time, as well, Bill.
Q Yes, but I mean, it's the same thing that you're saying.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that -- no, it's not. I think the American people want to hear from their Commander-in-Chief. And you may take it --
Q I'm not arguing about that.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you may take a different view, but I think the American people want to hear from their Commander-in-Chief, and they will have the --
Q That's not what I'm arguing about.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, let's go on if you're not going to --
He keeps saying this is a "critical period in Iraq" - "the terrorists are trying to test our resolve" but he just can't come up with how the situation in Iraq is any different than it was a month ago... or a year ago, for that matter!
I really hope the press-corps it growing some spine... but maybe it's just that snow-jobs can't be pulled off quite as easily in the Summer heat.
