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The Abramoff pictures Rogues' Gallery? The White House Begs to DifferBy Rick Horowitz
Mr. McClellan: I have a statement to make first, and then I'll take your questions, OK? Here goes: "Responding to broad public interest in the matter, the president has authorized the release of certain photographs which show him carrying out various ceremonial duties of his office. These duties include, as the American people are well aware, greeting literally thousands of people known and unknown to him." Q: Scott, are you saying -- Mr. McClellan: "These photographs contain images, not only of the president, but of various other people attending these events, including, in a limited number of cases, a Mr. Jack Abramoff, with whom the president was barely acquainted. The presence of Mr. Abramoff" -- a lobbyist, and as I understand it, a well-known party crasher -- "in these photographs in no way suggests any relationship of any sort with the president, or indeed, with anyone here in the White House. "While the president is, of course, mindful of the distorted and partisan uses to which these photographs might be put, he has decided to release them anyhow. The president's highest priority remains protecting the security of the American people, and anything that distracts from that effort puts the safety of the nation at greater risk. Still, the president is committed to openness whenever possible, consistent with his duties as commander in chief, and he remains confident that, when viewed in the appropriate context, these photographs will be seen for what they are: incidental souvenirs of no significance whatever." Q: Scott, exactly when did -- Mr. McClellan: If I can finish, and then we'll do questions. I've got -- and we'll have copies in the back for you when we're done -- the pictures, and we'll put them up on the screen here so I can describe them for you. Q: Scott, can we -- Mr. McClellan: Please, if we can get through this without interruptions, OK? Now, here's the first one -- it's a typical receiving-line shot, "grip and grin," happens all the time. Now, the person shaking the president's hand is, we understand, Mr. Abramoff, but you'll notice that the president is not looking at him, but directly at the photographer. So there's really no indication here that the president is even aware of whose hand he's shaking. Can we have the second one? OK, here's another receiving-line shot, you can see it's a different room, apparently a different event. Q: They look pretty comfortable together. Mr. McClellan: Apparently a different event, and you'll notice the president's eyebrow is raised -- the right eyebrow -- so it's obvious that, even if the president recognizes Mr. Abramoff, his expression isn't one of approval. The next one? OK, now this one -- more casual dress -- it looks at first glance like they have their arms around each other -- Q: Because they have their arms around each other. Mr. McClellan: The president, as you know, is committed to cutting the deficit in half by 2009, so anywhere he can find savings, he's -- anyway, the president does a lot of these events every year, and this was him trying to stand closer so they don't have to use as much film. And the president is grinning here because he's thinking of how much money he's saving the taxpayers. Can we see the next one? OK, a group shot. Again trying to save money, more people in the picture including Mr. Abramoff, but -- Q: That's Rove and Ralph Reed -- Q: Grover Norquist, DeLay -- Mr. McClellan: The White House is the people's house, as you know. And this president is constantly reaching out to people in all walks of life, including, of course, the congressional leadership, which is working hard to pass the president's agenda for the people. Q: And Abramoff's hand in the president's pocket? Mr. McClellan: What a joker! Or so I've heard. Obviously, we've hardly met the man, so we're only speculating here. Personally, I wouldn't know Jack Abramoff if he... Posted 2/1/06. Get
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Rick Horowitz
