Former Aide Tones Down Criticism of Bush nytimes.com
Politics and re-election concerns rule the White House at the expense of good public policy, says a former aide to President Bush.
Not so, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Monday, dismissing comments from John J. DiIulio as ``baseless and groundless.''
DiIulio issued two statements, the first generally standing by his criticism, the second -- similar to Fleischer's comment -- calling his own allegations ``groundless and baseless due to poorly chosen words and examples.'' . . .
For the record, a few other stories on this entertaining if peculiar little tempest-in-a-teapot:
cnn.com
cnn.com
washingtonpost.com
nytimes.com
nytimes.com
nytimes.com
usinfo.state.gov
QUESTION: Ari, Professor DiIulio, who was the head of the faith-based office, made some comments that have been getting a lot of attention in Esquire Magazine about how political the White House operation was. And he has since issued an apology today, a statement of apology. What's your reaction in general to his comments, and then to the apology?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I think that any suggestion that the White House makes decisions that are not based on sound policy reasons is baseless and groundless.
Q: What about his apology? Have you had any contact with him directly, or has he called Rove or any of the people involved?
MR. FLEISCHER: I know he has spoken with officials in the office -- the faith-based office, and talked with them. And I think his statement speaks for itself. He did issue an apology.
Q: Did he retract his --
MR. FLEISCHER: He issued an apology, Helen, and I think you can read what he had to write.
Q: What is he apologizing for?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think you'd have to ask Mr. DiIulio. |
