You be the judge...
Posted on 07/29/2003 3:29:59 PM PDT by joesnuffy
AT THE WHITE HOUSE Bush to WND: 'No, no, no' President cuts off correspondent's query during scripted news conference
Posted: July 29, 2003 5:40 p.m. Eastern
Editor's note: Each week, WorldNetDaily White House correspondent Les Kinsolving asks the tough questions no one else will ask. And each week, WorldNetDaily brings you the transcripts of those dialogues with the president and his spokesman. If you'd like to suggest a question for the White House, submit it to WorldNetDaily's exclusive interactive forum MR. PRESIDENT!
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
President Bush today cut off WND's White House correspondent in mid-sentence as he began to question the chief executive at a Q and A session in the Rose Garden with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
After Sharon and Bush made opening remarks about their meeting in the White House, the president announced to several gathered members of the press: "I'll call upon two members of our press corps. We'll alternate," meaning each leader would recognize two reporters from his respective country.
After one American and one Israeli reporter were recognized, WND White House correspondent Les Kinsolving, who was standing near the front of the press pack, said: "Why do you criticize, Mr. President …"
Bush then jumped in, saying, "No, no, no. Hold on. Not you. Steve. Maybe some other time, but not now."
Like other Bush press conferences, it appeared the event was scripted and that Bush was to call on two pre-determined American reporters.
WND was able to fully question White House presidential press secretary Scott McClellan at the regular press briefing on the issue he planned to ask Bush about: The security fences Israel is erecting to protect its citizens from terrorism.
WND: Scott, while the president said that Israel's border wall or fence, which is now 85 miles long, is "unhelpful," U.S. Border Patrol said yesterday that there are 68 miles of our Mexican border that are also fenced or walled. My question, first of two: Will the president, as an example to Israel, order that the Mexican border walls be removed? Or does he recognize a deep concern of Texans, New Mexicans, Arizonans and Californians about the millions of illegal aliens that keep crossing there?
McCLELLAN: Well, first, let me speak to the issue of the Texas-Mexico border. Because when the President was governor, he made it very clear that he was opposed to building a wall along that border, that walls tend to separate people. And he made his views very clear on that issue as governor. And so that was a view he expressed as governor.
In terms of the security fence in Israel, he's also made concerns known about how, over the long-term, that he hopes that that can end, as well, that terrorism will no longer be there and that the security fence will no longer be needed. But he has continued to make his views known in the meeting earlier today.
WND: Page 1 of the Washington Times reports "U.S. reverses its position on Hamas. Powell says nonviolence key to new role." And my question: If this is done, despite Abbas' total violation of the road map's requirement that Hamas be disarmed, why should al-Qaida not be extended the same olive branch?
McCLELLAN: I'm sorry, I didn't hear the first part of your question. But the road map makes very clear that terrorist organizations need to be dismantled. And that's –
WND: He has to disarm Hamas. He has not disarmed Hamas.
McCLELLAN: That is the president's position. But he also made it very clear that Prime Minister Abbas is someone who is committed to peace, someone who is committed to –
WND: – when?
McCLELLAN: – committed to addressing security situations. They had a good visit about some of these issues.
McCLELLAN: Well, first, let me speak to the issue of the Texas-Mexico border. Because when the President was governor, he made it very clear that he was opposed to building a wall along that border, that walls tend to separate people.
You be the judge...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/954636/posts?page=7#7
Well, duh. They also tend to separate the criminals from the law abiding.
Mr. President...tap,tap,tap...is this thing on?
Mr. President...Good Fences Make Good Neighbors!
Thank you. That is all.
McCLELLAN: I'm sorry, I didn't hear the first part of your question. But the road map makes very clear that terrorist organizations need to be dismantled. And that's –
Score:
Scott McClellan - 1
Obnoxious reporter - 0
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