BREAKING: Scott McClellan ‘Next On the Chopping Block’
BREAKING: Scott McClellan ‘Next On the Chopping Block’
CNN’s Kathleen Koch reports this morning that Scott McClellan is “next on the chopping block” at the White House.
Transcript:
According to both administration and GOP insiders, we’re hearing here at CNN that Press Secretary Scott McClellan and Treasury Secretary John Snow could be the next ones to be shown to the door.
Now, why McClellan? Several sources familiar with the thinking of new White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten say that immediately, right out of gate, he began on focusing on improving White House communications in order to regenerate the White House’s — the administration’s message, the performance — you know those poll numbers are really lagging right now. One White House insider says there’s been “a lot of dissatisfaction with the state of communications.”
At the same time, though, very important to point out that there are many who insist that McClellan is very secure because of his close personal relationship with President Bush. We are hearing that if McClellan were to leave, that one name being floated as a possible replacement is White House counselor Dan Bartlett.
(HT: Atrios)
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
McLellen’s puppet strings must have got tangled.
April 3rd, 2006 at 8:33 amWill McLellen squeal like a stuck pig if he is fired?
April 3rd, 2006 at 8:42 amScotty will land on his feet at Haliburton — this’ll be the best thing that ever happened to him…
April 3rd, 2006 at 8:44 amDailyKos: NBC reported this on Saturday.
April 3rd, 2006 at 8:46 amHELP WANTED:Press Secretary
Must be comfortable with lying blatantly in public. Verbal gymnastics a plus. Those prone to excessive sweating need not apply. Must have own car, valid license and suit.
HELP WANTED : FEMA director – (same as above)
April 3rd, 2006 at 8:46 amWelcome to the long list of disposable heroes Scott. Scott served his purpose, he did the REICHWING Republican song and dance long enough to keep the heat off Bush and his cronies. I guess after telling Bush’s lies long enough, even a good lackey like Scott can only hang in there so long. Don’t feel bad Scott, Bush & co pulls this with everyone they use like cannon fodder, soldiers in Iraq for example. So Bush needs a new BS artist to stand in there like Scott. Maybe our resident REICHWING bloggers I-REICH-I, MightyMoron, Troll the Fundamentalist, or Steve the Racist should apply for the job. Its best to hire someone that actually believes the hogwash Bush and his ReichWingers spoon feed their lackeys. Better luck next time Scott. At least there’s a book in it for you after the Bush/Cheney Impeachment hearing.
April 3rd, 2006 at 8:50 amDan Bartlett. He is one of the few Bushies that has less credibility than McClellan.
April 3rd, 2006 at 8:56 amBartlett is even closer to GWBush than McClellan, so if there’s any chance to promote another W crony, they’ll take it. As for Snow, I’m surprised that he’s lasted this long.
http://www.lcoliberal.blogspot.com
Sunday Talk Buzz and Defending Jill Carroll: Now on LCL
http://www.sunstateactivist.org
April 3rd, 2006 at 8:57 amProgressive news, analysis, and a comprehensive list of events
somewhat off topic:
If Dick Cheney can shoot a lawyer, then Cynthia McKinney can punch a cop.
George Bush is a sailor who can speak for himself. Why have a press secretary? George can do it himself.
April 3rd, 2006 at 9:05 amDoes Dan Bartlett have the added qualifications a press secretary needs.? Puffy pure white face, hands and no neck are required , along with the blatent lies for the reich wing, you know……..Blessings
April 3rd, 2006 at 9:07 amAMF…Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
April 3rd, 2006 at 9:14 amWhen I read the headline, I thought Scotty was referring to Iran as being next on the chopping block. I thought, “How SICK to refer to possible war like that!” But can you really blame me for assuming this administration would talk like that?
April 3rd, 2006 at 9:15 amHey billie o’liely,have we got a job for you. You can have reporters arrested for asking the ‘wrong’ questions…what POWER….
April 3rd, 2006 at 9:16 amBeam Scotty up to a seven figure gig on K-Street…
They’re moving in the experts…
Bush to Appoint Secretary of Vilification
..Our source confided that when finding someone to blame for Bush’s colossal blunders, the current staff is out of its league.
“Take Scott McClellan. The kid’s a master at obfuscation, and his moon-faced audacity is second to none–but when it comes time to point fingers, well let’s just say he tends to have his thumb up his ass. Rummy? Please. When he blamed prisoner abuse at Abu Grhaib on the military dogs we knew he was imploding. And the Vice President, his answer to everything is ‘just shoot the bastard.’ 
April 3rd, 2006 at 9:33 amA classic case of shooting the messenger….
April 3rd, 2006 at 9:44 amI thought Scott McLellan was the most sympathetic out of that very unsympathetic bunch.
I hope he writes about the whole mess…
“Take Scott McClellan. The kid’s a master at obfuscation, and his moon-faced audacity is second to none…”
I disagree. McClellan is second-rate to Ari. At least one article has been written on just how masterful Ari was.
April 3rd, 2006 at 9:46 amI thought he was doing a fine job lying. I was wondering what he would say when Bush orders a heavy air strike against Iran. “There was no one killed on the ground. The strike was surgical. No, Israel was not involved.”
April 3rd, 2006 at 9:49 amDude, I thought Scotty was a pretty good liar / cover-up man.
April 3rd, 2006 at 9:50 amIf they want to save a little face, run Chimpy and his Pig Buddy, The Dickster down the road.
I can’t wait to read his tell-all book. Hope he publishes before the 2006 election.
April 3rd, 2006 at 9:52 am“A classic case of shooting the messenger?” Not really.
This usually means the messenger is attacked by those recieving the “bad news”, not by the guys who sent him out to deliver the same.
April 3rd, 2006 at 9:54 amYeah, your right, this is the claasic case of shooting the messenger. I hated Mc.Clellan because he never answered any of the questions, but that being said, how are you going to answer questions truthfully, when this administration has lied so much??
April 3rd, 2006 at 9:54 amMaybe the next guy who gets in there will have the cahones to answer some questions put to him by the press. However, one thing that will not change is the fact that the new man will have a tough time seperating the lies from the truth.
“Hey Scottie! Can I get my White House Press Pass back?? very truly yours (for a price), Jeffy “Scoop” Gannon, Ace reporter & White House “Toy Boy”
p.s. I approve this very important news alert! Karl “Turd Blossom” Rove, White House Pimp-Madam
April 3rd, 2006 at 9:54 amUntil Bushiva and L’il Dick walk the plankpersonally, financially, politically, and criminally…
There will be no more peace nor any prosperity for America, anywhere…
…all of the profiteers and mass murderers and their supporters must pay…
…if America’s Karma is to be righted…
April 3rd, 2006 at 10:00 amI hear there’s an opening at Talon News
April 3rd, 2006 at 10:06 amFinally! I’ve been calling for the sacking of McClellan for who knows how long. Now toss Rumsfeld out of there too and then I would be almost satisfied.
April 3rd, 2006 at 10:19 amGood, I can’t stand the little prick.
April 3rd, 2006 at 10:20 am[...] and may not be viewed as cleanly in others. Navigation Home Login Opinion Polls Recent Posts CNN: McClellan, Snow Getting Pink Slips Media Negligence U.S. Military Taking the Fight to the Internet Rep. Schmidt Dishonest About SecondDegree from UC U.S. Strike on Iran May Trigger Worldwide Terror Attacks Katherine Harris Campaign Going Down in a Blaze of Resignations Bush: Now & Then TIME: Bush Hits New Low with 37% Profanity Nation Unmanned Drones May Patrol U.S. Skies Monthly Archives [...]
April 3rd, 2006 at 10:26 amFunny how Cheney and Rummy, the two biggest goons in the administration are still hanging around.
April 3rd, 2006 at 10:27 amTheir concept of shakeup is almost as deranged as their concepts on…well, everything else.
April 3rd, 2006 at 10:29 amWill McLellen squeal like a stuck pig if he is fired?
Comment by yankeluh — April 3, 2006 @ 8:42 am
We can only hope.
April 3rd, 2006 at 10:32 amPuffy pure white face, hands and no neck are required , along with the blatent lies for the reich wing, you know……..Blessings
Comment by Sharon Cox — April 3, 2006 @ 9:07 am
Funny how they all seem to have that bloated, constipated look, huh? Probably from swallowing the truth all the time…
April 3rd, 2006 at 10:35 amTHERES A RUMOR THAT SCOTT AND JEFF GANNON WILL MOVE TO MASSACHUSSETTS AND GET MARRIED, AND ADOPT 3 BOYS.
SCOTTY GANNON WILL BE THE WOMAN AND DO THE COOKING.
THEY WILL STILL VOTE REPUBLICAN.
THEY WILL BUY A JO-ANNE FABRIC FRANCHISE.
JEFF WILL CONTINUE TO SELL HIS ASS TO KEEP SCOTTY IN HO-HO’S.
April 3rd, 2006 at 10:39 am#32, haha, and they will build their comfortable Log Cabin Republican home.
Where splinters feel oh-so-gooood
April 3rd, 2006 at 10:48 amScott is simply not a good liar. The Bush administration probably needs to recruit from the ranks of Hollywood or Broadway in order to find one who is accomplished in telling Big Lies.
April 3rd, 2006 at 10:48 amScott is just tired like everyone else in this current administration. He will be back after his tongue transplant.Fresh and ready to go. A.T.D.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:01 amScott is just tired like everyone else in this current administration. He will be back after his tongue transplant.Fresh and ready to go. A.T.D.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:01 amI’m not a big Scott McClellan fan. But I have never seen an administration so adept in the fine art of misdirected responsibility. As if the problem with White House communications is the poor shlub mouthpiece.
This is now the FedEx commercial where the messenger caveman complains that “FedEx hasn’t been invented yet”, and the Boss caveman says, “Not my problem.”
That’s GW Bush. Poor performance and public perception of his administration as liars? It must be the Press Secretary’s performance, not what the poor f*cker has been given to work with.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:02 amPoor Scott, now that he has developed his rendition of political repetitive obfuscation. he might leave. But never fear, the other obfuscater, Mark, will provide him with a lucrative job either in or out of government. Maybe Mark could put him in charge of the poison sent to the Senate.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:03 amThey are still chipping around the edges by dumping McClellan. All he does is spit out what the Bushies tell him. Bush’s approval rating will never recover unless he cuts close to the bone i.e. Rumsfeld, Cheney and Rice.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:07 amShoot the messenger. Yeah, that’ll work.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:10 am[...] What masochist will want to take that job? More at Think Progress. [...]
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:12 amGee, I’ll really miss our version of Baghdad Bob.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:12 am“Funny how Cheney and Rummy, the two biggest goons in the administration are still hanging around.”
No, you don’t understand — those two are the guys in charge. W woiuld leave before they would.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:13 amActually, Chris Matthews has been pimping for this job.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:14 ami think scott mcclellan is super-hot. and i’m a liberal bush-hater.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:16 am“…being floated as a possible replacement is White House counselor Dan Bartlett.”
Another robotic, lying propagandist. What these assholes have done to the concept of actually communicating truth, as opposed to “spin” is depicable.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:22 amActually, Chris Matthews has been pimping for this job.
Comment by Tsesee — April 3, 2006 @ 11:14 am
Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Hope they ask him and he takes the job, he’s sooooo good at lying for the already why shouldn’t they pay him directally.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:27 amThe problem is not McLellan. Nor was it Card. The problem is BUsh! This whole administration is the problem. This whole administration (and Republican controlled congress) has to be removed. A little reshuffling here and there will do nothing. Look at the changes – nothing but public relations moves and more public relations spin. These clowns really do not get it!
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:29 amWhy even replace him? This person’s only role is to dodge questions and cover up lies. It’s a total waste of time. If the press had any brains, they would boycott these charades. The truth is on life support in the U.S. of A.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:39 amTime to wring out the mop.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:46 amoh thank god…it must have been getting really hard for scott having to lie all the time, seeing how he’s such a nice christian boy.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:48 amI hear Jeff Gannon is trumpeting for the job. Says he will “blow them all away” during his interview….
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:48 amOh wait, that is how he got into the press corp….
How about Scotties bro. Mark and Medicare part D. Get rid of him too.
April 3rd, 2006 at 12:03 pmDan Bartlett!…you have got to be kidding.
April 3rd, 2006 at 12:22 pm#55 funny shirts:Because he lies as much as his brother.
April 3rd, 2006 at 12:26 pmThis is the wrong time to “cut and run.” They should “stay the course” with Scotty. This is no time to play the “blame game.” AMNESTY FOR SCOTTY!
April 3rd, 2006 at 12:30 pmThey should go hire Ari Fleischer again,and offer him a billion dollar a year salary. I don’t think there is anyone on the planet who could do a better song and dance defending and lying for this disgusting president. He was good just ask John Stewart he’ll tell you.
April 3rd, 2006 at 12:36 pmIt is insanity for the White House to believe the only reason that Bush’s poll numbers are so low is that they have not been effective in getting their message out. Please please please understand the truth here:
April 3rd, 2006 at 12:45 pmWE ARE HEARING YOUR MESSAGE LOUD AND CLEAR,
WE JUST DON’T AGREE WITH YOUR MESSAGE!
Eureka! BushCo does it again. They see that the lies aren’t working as well as they used to. So the solution they come up with? Ummmm… stop lying? AS IF!!!! We’ll just get a new liar! Yeah, that’s it, THAT’S the ticket! “Stay the course.”
April 3rd, 2006 at 12:47 pmJosh Bolten wants to replace him with his Jeff Gannon, his former “pal” who had such “easy access” to the White House.
April 3rd, 2006 at 12:48 pmThe obvious choice to replace Scottie McLyingweasel is John Lovitz. “We had to invade, because…because….Saddam had WMD! Yeah, that’s the ticket!”
April 3rd, 2006 at 12:52 pmWOW!! There appears to be some sort of massive “Vulcan Mind Meld” happening here, NEAT!!!
April 3rd, 2006 at 12:57 pmThey couldn’t have a better spokesliar than Tubby McTreason. Blaming him for communication problems is like Condi blaming the Iraq debacle on “thousands of military tactics” when the real problem is her own boss’s strategic idiocy.
Appointingthe stale Dan Bartlett to replace McClellan is as tedioius as replacing Card with Bolten.
April 3rd, 2006 at 1:05 pmThey couldn’t have a better spokesliar than Tubby McTreason. Blaming him for communication problems is like Condi blaming the Iraq debacle on “thousands of military tactics” when the real problem is her own boss’s strategic idiocy.
Appointing the stale Dan Bartlett to replace McClellan is as tedioius and unimaginative as replacing Card with Bolten.
April 3rd, 2006 at 1:06 pmOh my God! Dan Bartlett is a liar. I guess continuity is important!
April 3rd, 2006 at 1:27 pm“(…)you know those poll numbers are really lagging right now. One White House insider says there’s been “a lot of dissatisfaction with the state of communications.â€
As usual, the Bush administration blames the messenger and not its own policies -as if those failing poll numbers were a consequence of a bad PR instead of a failed strategy.
It is very telling that they should choose again to focus on the message, as opposed to changing the very same set of policies that is giving them low ratings: They are neo-con ideologues who will not change course even in the face of contrary evidence.
They really do think they can create they own reality by merely describing it to others.
April 3rd, 2006 at 1:58 pmThere are four staffers that need to go: RUMMY, ROVE, RICE, CHENEY.
April 3rd, 2006 at 2:08 pmHe can’t dump Cheney as he seems to have been “elected” (maybe) so the other three are a must go. Gonzales would be another excellent choice.
But wait 9 months and we will be able to add Bush to that list and get them all out, and maybe into the prisons where they belong.
Snotty Scotty McFelon will write a book, “How to gain 40 pounds by SPINNING”
Dan Bartlett is laughable, it might be a good thing if he gets the job….maybe the blind will finally ’see’.
April 3rd, 2006 at 2:30 pmshake up? this is what they call a shake up, by appointing more cronies and insiders to spin the spin and hoping that the public will bite? the white house is done. it doesn’t matter what they do, it’s still nazi/zionist controlled. to do a shake up is remove the ENTIRE white house and all the appointees. it will never happen.
April 3rd, 2006 at 2:43 pm.
So long, Scotty! We’ll miss your flop-sweat and your ham-handed efforts at “spin”.
April 3rd, 2006 at 3:06 pmOh, stop knocking Bartlett. If McClellan leaves, don’t you want someone that can provide the Daily Show with at least as much material? I’m his biggest supporter in that regard.
April 3rd, 2006 at 3:06 pmHow is getting a different person to stonewall and refuse to answer questions going to help the administration’s image?
It’s not Scotty that is the problem. The problem is they never allow him to answer any questions or give any information.
Anybody can not answer questions. I doubt, “I can’t answer any questions because an investigation is ongoing.” is something Scotty’s replacement can do with any more grace than he does.
April 3rd, 2006 at 3:17 pmWho are they going to replace Scotty with? The Mouth of Sauron?
April 3rd, 2006 at 3:24 pmGood ol’Scotty will only go back to Texas and help his mommie run her campain for Governor full time, while writing his reveal all book.
April 3rd, 2006 at 3:34 pm[...] McClellan’s next [...]
April 3rd, 2006 at 3:45 pm#75- Since Scotty’s mom went from Republican to Independent, I wonder if she is now “Pro-choice”? (Just a rude joke, sorry if I have offended anyone.)
April 3rd, 2006 at 3:48 pmFat Snotty Scotty McFelon is leaving the White House and Dan Bartlett is taking over as Press Secretary?
April 3rd, 2006 at 3:50 pmI’m sure gonna miss Snotty!
Go back to ya Momma now.
I think Scotty reached is lying shelf life limit. He didn’t pace himself.
April 3rd, 2006 at 4:09 pmThey are all the same. You can mix or match, the Garanimals of politics.
April 3rd, 2006 at 4:23 pmScotty probably wants to leave before Bush and Cheney get impeached! And before Rove gets indicted and Rummy tried for war crimes! Best to exit the stage before the whole Bush Regime collapses > lol.
April 3rd, 2006 at 4:24 pmwell Jay maybe but I am thinking that Bush needed someone who can misled america effectively than Scott can.. since Scott stumbled from time to time so Bush want zero tolerance on stumbles :D
April 3rd, 2006 at 5:33 pmChrist… talk about totally letting a guy off the hook.
Scotty must be pleased as punch.
April 3rd, 2006 at 7:27 pmFelonious.
April 3rd, 2006 at 8:46 pmScotty is most likely to pursue a career as a used cars salesman.
April 6th, 2006 at 12:17 amScotty is most likely to pursue a career as a used car salesman.
April 6th, 2006 at 12:17 am