Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Dog bites man? (McClellan, Abramoff, and secret visits to the White House)

Talking Points Memo directs our attention to a really, really weird exchange between reporters and Scott McLellan regarding the Secret Service logs that should show how many times Jack Abramoff entered and exited the White House. Should...but won't:
I wouldn't look at it as a complete historical record of things -- of events here at the White House. I'd just caution you on that.
The outgoing Press Secretary placed events within a Sphinx-like aura of mystery by continually repeating that cryptic line about the lack of a "complete historical record." What the hell is that supposed to mean?

My mind flashed back to the "historical record" of Jeff Gannon's entries and exits, which has many curious lacunae. These mysteries find resolution if we presume that the he-ho came via the White House tunnel...

Sorry. Can't resist the temptation to pun whenever Gannon pops up. So to speak. Let us rephrase:

These mysteries find resolution if we presume that Gannon visited and left the White House via those long-rumored underground White House entrances. We've seen 'em in movies (Dave, A Hunt for Red October), but do they exist in reality? Occasionally, they get mentioned in mainstream publications: See the U.S. News and World Report quote here. (This page collects tunnel reports.) We know that the White House has an underground bunker -- remember Cheney during 9/11? -- and a moment's thought will tell you why there must be more than one way to enter and exit that bunker.

If we admit the existence of a tunnel, then McClellan's odd statements make a certain sense. The logs of Abramoff's visits at the front gate would not reflect ALL of his comings and goings. He could have made visits even after things heated up.

The real question is: Why did Scottie mention this? Why would he make cryptic reference to the possibility that Jack Abramoff came and went at times not recorded in the Secret Service logs?

Look again at the transcript: McClellan brought the matter up. He didn't have to answer the question that way. Without actually divulging something that he is pledged to keep secret, he has offered reporters a broad hint that they should look closer.

Whaddaya think? Could it be that Bush's poochie decided to give his master a parting snarl?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

wow. this is pretty weird.

i'm disinclined to give scottie the cajunas to pull the pin on such a potential grenade that would blow up in bush's face.

but....

one has to wonder if this might be part of a plan to expose someone else in the WH to deeper, er, probing. we all know about the infighting and tensions. i mean, this crew makes shakespeare's royal court psychodramas almost boring.

anyway, this will be interesting to follow.

Anonymous said...

It would be highly improbable if there was NO tunnel; there are probably even several entrances.
How about one at the airport and one inside the Watergate Hotel? (Apparently nobody ever told Clinton about that one!)

Anonymous said...

I think McClellan is gay. These guys all prefer guys to gals but can't admit and they're all bottoms so that's why they have to have a he-ho type.

well excuse the late night banter!

Anonymous said...

I am inclined to see this as a big ole smelly hint.......