ARI FLEISCHER: What happened to the front row?
Q. They’re camera-shy. (Laughter.)
Q. That will be the day.
ARI FLEISCHER: What happened to the front row?
Q. They’re camera-shy. (Laughter.)
Q. That will be the day.
Q. First of all, happy new year. (Laughter.)
ARI FLEISCHER: Thank you. Happy new year to you. Always appreciate kind wishes in addition to questions. (Laughter.)
Q. Secretary Rumsfeld is now being widely described as the media star of the year, with one news magazine even reporting his kick-a-press briefings make him the sexiest man in the administration. (Laughter.) But Washingtonian Magazine reports that you, Ari, are receiving mailed marriage proposals. (Laughter.) And my question is, the President is happy to have such electrifying leaders in his administration, isn’t he? Or is he displeased? (Laughter.)
ARI FLEISCHER: Les, given the recent swirl of events, I hardly think it would be appropriate for me to comment on how sexy the media is. (Laughter.)
Q. How about Secretary Rumsfeld? What about him? And I have one more, because it’s been two weeks. (Laughter.)
MR. FLEISCHER: What’s your question about Secretary Rumsfeld?
Q. Oh, I say, do you believe he’s not the sexiest man in the administration?
MR. FLEISCHER: I believe he is the second. He’s my hero when it comes to how to handle the press, I’ll tell you that.