Trust in Radio?

Q. The fact that Tony Snow is now, as I understand it, a talk radio host, means that the President –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: You were not considered, Les. (Laughter.)

Q. — recognizes that talk radio is, along with the Internet, America’s new major media thrust, replacing most newspapers and old liberal TV and magazines, doesn’t it? (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: I think it’s healthy to have a diversity of viewpoints from within the media.

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Scott’s Style

Q. What is your unique style? (Laughter.)

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Putting up with you. (Laughter.)

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One Part

Q. Scott, a two-part.

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Hang on, you’ve got two parts. Let me go to Carl, he has one part. (Laughter.)

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Losing Altitude

Q. Nancy Pelosi says that having Tony Snow now behind the podium there is not going to make much difference. What would you say to that?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: I think Tony Snow is going to do a great job for the President. I saw him earlier today, and looked up at him and told him, “I used to be your height before I started in this position.” (Laughter.)

Q We’ll do that for him.

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Getting to Know You

PRESIDENT BUSH: I’ve asked Tony Snow to serve as my new press secretary. Tony already knows most of you, and he’s agreed to take the job anyway. (Laughter.)

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Oh, Canada

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Go ahead… The Canadian.

Q Thank you, very much. A non-hostile country — (laughter.)

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Texas Bred

Q From San Antonio, The Washington Times reports this morning that the gravesite of Gregorio Esparza, who was killed in action defending the Alamo, is now missing. And my question: Does the former governor of your state believe that Esparza’s grave should be searched for, restored, and honored?

MR. McCLELLAN: I haven’t taken a look at that issue, Les. But I’ll be glad to take a look at it.

Q Get back to me?

MR. McCLELLAN: As someone who is a Texan, and certainly someone who has followed Texas history very closely, as well.

Q You’re a Virginian, you keep telling us.

MR. McCLELLAN: I’m sorry?

Q You are registered to vote in the –

MR. McCLELLAN: I’m a Texan.

Q — in the commonwealth of Virginia?

MR. McCLELLAN: Born and raised in Texas. Temporary resident of Virginia, which is a great state, too.

Go ahead. (Laughter.)

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GOP ‘08

Q My second question is on — according to The Washington Times, the day-before yesterday, President Bush said that in 2008, he will not take any sides as far actual presidential election is concerned, as far as the candidates are concerned. Does he support the first woman, Hillary Clinton in 2008?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think the President made very clear that he would be supporting the Republican nominee in 2008. I don’t think she will be. (Laughter.)

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Right

Q I just want to clear up one thing. Iran has signed the Nonproliferation Treaty. Does it have the right to do what it’s doing, to enrich fuel? I’m a little unclear about — legally, are they on solid ground –

MR. McCLELLAN: Here’s the problem — that’s a very good question. Iran may be a party to –

Q I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.

MR. McCLELLAN: I’m sorry?

Q You said it was a very good question. (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: You have a few.

Q Can you repeat that, please.

MR. McCLELLAN: For a new guy. (Laughter.) You sound like what I do to my wife when she says, you’re right. “Huh?” (Laughter.)

Q She’s right often.

MR. McCLELLAN: More than I am. (Laughter.)

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Helen Doesn’t Mind

Q But even with that — trying to pick up on what Helen said, but I mean, if you look at what the –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: You can pick up on what Helen said. She doesn’t mind. (Laughter.)

Q I consider it an honor to pick up on what Helen says.

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Ongoing Legal Proceeding

Q I have a two-part. Chairman Peter King of the House Homeland Security Committee has scheduled a May 18th hearing to examine whether the Department of Homeland Security guidelines on screening employees and issuing security clearances are adequate. And my first part, does the President support this examination, which was brought on by former Time Magazine editor and U.S. Department of Homeland Security press officer Brian Doyle’s arrest on seven counts of using a computer to try to seduce a child?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Well, let me first address the issue you brought up, the arrest. There are very serious allegations that have been made against this individual. The allegations, in our view, are repulsive and disgusting. And if they are true, we cannot express enough outrage at what occurred. That is a matter that is now being handled through the legal process.

Q Scott, you’re commenting on an ongoing legal proceeding. (Laughter.)

Q Scott, a follow up –

MR. McCLELLAN: No, I’m not. I’m not getting into specifics about it. It’s despicable act that is alleged.

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Lumper

Q Is there a bit of an appearance problem for this White House when the President speaks so strongly against leaking? When the Counsel’s Office orders ethics classes? And then today you’re talking about effectively good leaks and bad leaks, that –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Well, you’re trying to lump a lot of things in there, and I don’t think I would do that, in terms of ethics classes. I mean, those are ongoing throughout the time period we’re here in this administration. So let’s not lump things together.

Q But there were some that were ordered specifically –

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, let’s not lump those things together.

Q There were some that were ordered specifically –

MR. McCLELLAN: You’re lumping things.

Q I’m lumping only because the timing of the last public lumping was –

Q Lumper. (Laughter.) . . . .

Q Scott, one related.

MR. McCLELLAN: One related. You all on the front row have had multiple questions.

Q I’ve got one related.

Q I’ve got one –

MR. McCLELLAN: See, you’re encouraging others to do this.

Q There’s lumpers up there. (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: I’m glad to stay here all day. This is an important subject, and I’m glad to make the distinctions.

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Specify the Story

Q Scott, what was the President’s reaction to this story?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: I’m sorry?

Q What was the President’s reaction to this story? What has he said?

MR. McCLELLAN: “This story”?

Q The story, as it’s published.

MR. McCLELLAN: “The story as it’s published”? Which story as it’s published?

Q You sound like Donald Rumsfeld. (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: “This story” — I’m just asking you to specify what the story is.

Q I’m talking about the filing –

MR. McCLELLAN: The filing by Mr. Fitzgerald, okay.

Q — I’m talking about what we found out –

MR. McCLELLAN: The filing by Mr. Fitzgerald. I can’t get into talking with you relating to an ongoing legal proceeding.

Q I’m not asking you to. I’m asking, did the President say anything about it?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I can’t get into talking about an ongoing legal proceeding. That relates to an ongoing legal proceeding. I just can’t do that.

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Moving Around

MR. McCLELLAN: You moved? Did you get kicked out?

Q No. No, I didn’t think — (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: I would have come to you. (Laughter.)

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Never Speculate

Q I know you don’t discuss personnel matters, but there are growing reports/rumors by my brethren that Scott McClellan is going to ride off into the sunset, specifically a story in The Washington Post this morning saying that Scott McClellan is going to leave and be replaced by Dan Senor. As though you were under oath –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Must have missed that story.

Q — as though you were under oath, can you give us a simple “yes” or “no” answer? Is the story correct?

Q Was that in the The Washington Post?

Q No. (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: I missed that story. I didn’t see that one in The Washington Post.

Q But what’s your comment?

MR. McCLELLAN: I appreciate the question, and as I’ve said, I never speculate on personnel matters. Period. Go ahead.

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