Scott McClellan: Leaking Classified Documents Is the Key Crime
This conversation between reporters covering the White House and Scott McClellan was released on October 2, 2003. It details White House spokesman Scott McClellan getting testy about people asking questions about anything other than whether someone in the White House leaked classified documents. McClellan called the accusations that anyone in the White House leaked classified information “unsubstatiated” and a “disservice”.
McClellan whined about people trying to change the subject away from whether anyone in the White House leaked classified information. He said that was “moving the goalposts”. Well, how come Scott McClellan and the White House aren’t standing by those goalposts now?
“Look, we recognize that, certainly, there are people who have made some unsubstantiated accusations of the White House leaking classified information. More recently they have been forced to back away from those unsubstantiated accusations. Now you see what happens here in Washington, D.C. Some have, all of a sudden, decided to move the goalpost and sensationalize this issue for a political — for partisan political gain. We recognize –
Q It’s been that way for a while.
MR. McCLELLAN: We recognize that this is what happens in Washington, D.C. It’s unfortunate, and I think it can — it’s a real — not only does it take away from the subject of this investigation, it’s a disservice to the American people.
There are a number of important challenges facing this country that we need to be working together on to address. The President is someone who does everything he can to bring people together to get things done. And that’s what he’s going to continue to do. He’s focused — we’re going about our business. We’re focused on the priorities for the American people. And we will continue to remain focused on the priorities for the American people.
Q –
Q Who is moving the goalposts?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think we all know. The subject of this investigation is whether someone leaked classified information. Yesterday some of the questions began to move the goalpost and focus on other issues that are not the subject of this investigation. And we all know who these people are.
Q Who are they?
Q We’d like to know –
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, if you watch TV, you will see who they are.
Q Who are they? Who are they?
Q What did Democrats — are you referring to Democrats on the Hill who, by calling for a special counsel — do you think that that is somehow changing the subject of what the investigation is about for political gain? Is that what you’re referring to?
MR. McCLELLAN: There are — the leaking of classified information is a very serious allegation. And the President has made it very clear that he wants to get to the bottom of this. Unfortunately, there are some that are looking through the lens of political opportunism. There are some that are seeking partisan political advantage. I don’t need to go into names. We all know who they are.
Goyal.
Q Can I follow on that?
MR. McCLELLAN: You can go to that, then I’m going to come to Goyal.
Q If the President wants people to stop trying to get partisan political gain from this, why doesn’t he tell Ed Gillespie, the Chairman of the RNC, to stop questioning Joe Wilson’s motives?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, there are some people that are making unsubstantiated allegations and unsubstantiated rumors about the White House leaking classified information. And some of those people have been forced to back away from that, and then all of a sudden they move the goalpost and focus on another issue that’s not the subject of the investigation. “
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