In a late-starting, often incendiary press briefing July 3rd that focused almost exclusively on the President’s commuting of jail time for former vice presidential chief of staff I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, Press Secretary Tony Snow offered the Administration’s apology for alleged leaks of the names of CIA personnel - sort of.
At the first briefing to be held in the Room #450 of the Old Executive Office Building (where Snow will meet White House reporters until the briefing room in the actual White House reopens July 11th), April Ryan of the American Urban Network repeatedly pressed Snow on the issue of whether former Ambassador Joe Wilson is owed an apology for the “outing” of his wife, former CIA operative Valerie Plame. (Although the outing of Phlame—whose status as a “covert” operative has been strongly disparaged by numerous legal experts because of the length of time she was last overseas - sparked the trial culminating in Libby’s conviction earlier this year, the conviction of the former top aide to Dick Cheney had nothing to do with Phlame’s “unmasking;” rather he was convicted on four counts of perjury and obstruction of justice).
“Joe Wilson asked for an apology for the American people because of the situation,” said Ryan, “Is the White House now willing to give the American people - “
“I’m not going to get into - “ Snow began.
Ryan fired back: “Why not?. . .It’s over now. You didn’t want to talk about it then. Let’s talk about it now. Do you think the American people are owed something because of the breach?”
Snow would not be moved: “Number one, there is still considerable controversy about the facts of the case, including Joe Wilson’s veracity. Number Two, there is also - “
“What’s in question about his veracity?” snapped Ryan, “Detail that, please.”
The ever-patient Snow explained that “you take a look at the Senate reports, his characterization of who sent him over and what he told people when he was in Niger is at direct odds with what he attempted to tell the American public.”
Ryan exclaimed: “That has nothing to do with the leaking of the name of - “
Snow and Ryan went back and forth on the subject on whether an apology was forthcoming, with Snow finally saying that “the President has said it is inappropriate to have such breaches, and he has apologized for them.” When Ryan insisted on knowing when he did this, Snow replied “I think he said to the American people, gave an apology - “ and moved on.
But Ryan was bound and determined. As the stormy briefing wound down, the AUR correspondent went “back to the issue of an apology, and I want to stay issue-focused and not blaming. Are there - is [sic] the American people owed some kind of apology from someone in this administration for the leaking of a CIA person’s name, personnel’s name?”
“Yes, it’s improper to be leaking those names,” replied Snow.
“You say it’s improper,” Ryan went on “so you’re saying someone in this administration owes the American public an apology?”
By now, Snow had had enough: “I’ll apologize. All done.”
But Ryan would not accept this, saying the apology of the President’s top spokesman was “flippant - that’s a very flippant way of doing something very serious - it was a very serious matter.”
The dueling duo went on a bit more, until Snow asked the assembled reporters: “How many of you have apologized for a controversial name appearing under tough circumstances in a news story? I daresay the answer is zero.”
A Footnote: Tony Snow closed the briefing with another apology - to me. When all the Libby-related questions were seemingly exhausted, the President’s top spokesman called on questions on other subjects. Raghubir Goyal, veteran correspondent for the “India Globe” (who will celebrate his birthday July 6th along with President Bush), asked whether the President “is aware of the food - quality of food dumped from China now, also tainted food comes to the U.S. and it is costing the U.S. $700 billion or more?”
“[T]hat was Gizzi’s question the other day,” a relaxed Snow replied, “That was interesting. The President is certainly aware of news reports. Thank you.”
But it was not “Gizzi’s question,” as I told Snow, as he closed the briefing.
“Oh, maybe it was Les’s [Les Kinsolving, radio talk show host and the Peck’s Blab Boy of White House briefings],” said Snow.
“Tony!” I said in mock indignation, “You’re confusing my questions with Les’s and Goyal’s?”
In a somber tone, Snow said, “John, I’m truly sorry about that.”
