This exchange from Monday's WH press conference speaks volumes, between the lines.
QUESTION: Did Rove say, "ridiculous"?
McCLELLAN: I did, for him.
QUESTION: Did you speak with him about it?
McCLELLAN: Yes, I've spoken to him.
QUESTION: But he told you, "ridiculous"?
McCLELLAN: No, I said -- I told some of your colleagues that it was ridiculous. And, remember, I said this back -- what, July and September this issue came up, and said essentially what I've said now.
QUESTION: Can you characterize your conversation with him about this?
McCLELLAN: I talk to him all the time, so --
QUESTION: About this?
McCLELLAN: No, about a lot of issues.
QUESTION: But can you characterize your conversation about this subject with him?
McCLELLAN: I don't think there's anything to characterize. I mean, I think that what I said speaks clearly, that the accusations just simply are not true.
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QUESTION: Has the President either asked Karl Rove to assure him that he had nothing to do with this; or did Karl Rove go to the President to assure him that he --
McCLELLAN: I don't think he needs that. I think I've -- and I've spoken clearly to this publicly that -- but it's -- yes, I've just said it's -- there's no truth to it.
QUESTION: But I mean --
McCLELLAN: So I think it doesn't --
QUESTION: But is the President getting his information from you? Or did the President and Karl Rove talk, and were there assurances given that Rove was not involved?
McCLELLAN: I've already provided those assurances to you publicly.
QUESTION: Yes, but I'm just wondering if there was a conversation between Karl Rove and the President, or if he just talked to you, and you're here at this --
McCLELLAN: He wasn't involved. The President knows he wasn't involved.
QUESTION: How does he know that?
QUESTION: How does he know that?
McCLELLAN: The President knows.
QUESTION: What, is he clairvoyant? How does he know?
QUESTION: You spoke specifically -- you spoke to Rove specifically about this matter, correct?
McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
QUESTION: You spoke to Rove specifically about this matter? You asked him whether or not he was the leaker, or --
McCLELLAN: I don't know what the relevance of getting into every private conversation, John -- is, John. I've made it very clear that it's simply not true.
QUESTION: Based on what?
QUESTION: Based on what?
QUESTION: What are you basing -- what are you --
McCLELLAN: Someone asked me if I had spoken with him, and I said, yes.
QUESTION: And you spoke with him about this issue?
QUESTION: Did you ask him, directly?
McCLELLAN: I have spoken with him, yes.
QUESTION: But the President hasn't spoken with him directly about this issue? You have and the President hasn't?
McCLELLAN: Go ahead, Keith.
QUESTION: Well, that was the question.
McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
QUESTION: You spoke directly with Rove about this?
McCLELLAN: I have spoken -- I speak to him all the time, on a lot of things.
QUESTION: He categorically denied to you --
McCLELLAN: I just told you, it's simply not true.
QUESTION: Yes, but you refuse to say whether or not it was Rove who told you it's untrue.
McCLELLAN: No, no, I spoke to Rove. I spoke to him about -- no, I spoke to him about these accusations, I've spoken to him.
QUESTION: And Rove told you that they were not true --
McCLELLAN: That's why I would be telling --
QUESTION: -- or is it just you --
McCLELLAN: That's why I would be telling you what I did.
QUESTION: -- or is it just you who is telling us?
McCLELLAN: No, I have spoken to him and been assured. And that's why I reported to you and reported to the media that it is simply not true. I like to check my sources, just like you do. |
